The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-09

LEBANON, RUSSELL COUNTY, Va, !
fufv 1881

July D, 1881
Editors Dispatch Colonel William e.
Cameron to-day made his first speech In the
canvass at our County Court here, and IT
proved disappointment, both to Read
iusters and Democrats. He did bis cause
no good, and have beard expressions. OF
regret and pity from bis former admirers
who now oppose him, because OF the aD.
sence IN his speech OF the elevated order OF
cratory expected from nominee Tor the
hgeh Office OF Governor of Vlrginis, and for
which he is fitted, n be chose, by his &C
complished education and 6ne knowledge
Of the English language. The audience
was large, OF both parties, sud attentive,
courteous, and patient throughout; but the
effort was labored. aud, falling to elicit
sympathy or applause, he struggled as a
nan hunting an uncertain path in the dark
TO lead him to a place Of safety. Unused
as he is TO these people In the meun-
,ains OF Virginia, be blundered IN
appealIng TO them In speech better
suited TO win an audience OF colored voters
in the city OF Petersburg, but which here
chilled his bearers and repressed sympathy
for the strange ticket he leads. he practl-
caIly deprecated the parlIality OF the white
race for its own color, and led bis audience
10 think he would have personally acquiesced
had a negro been placed on the ticket for
second or third place. This is fatal Orat0ry
in Southwest Virginia, as il Is all over Nlr-
ojnia. and must so continue to the end OF
lime in each State Of this Union. Certainly
IL is going full bow-shot too far in the
county OF Russell, in which the Read1uster
party is large-includes some OF the best
men In the county; but among them are
very many who are neither ready to accept
The Republican party nor the doctrine oil
social equality, and the sbrewd politician
will not yet, here, at least, attempt to wholly
erase the color line.
In discussing the school question be fol-
lowed the custom OF bis party, and appro-
priated to it the credit due to the Demo"
cratic party for the existing liberal proVl-
sion for free schools, as established before
this readjusting party came into lie, Ior
when the law passed In the Senate known
as the Henkel bill these people were absent
from their seats, at Mozart Hall, In their
first effort 10 disrupt the Democratic party
In the debt question discussion there was
nothing new-no facts or figures to explain
where has gone the difference or why we
owe less now than he said it was when
editing the paper in Petersburg few years
ago.
The usual appeal TO prejudice against
50 brokers'" and bondholders" was the
feature OF the argument. 1t was almost
pretty, graphic, and touching, bis word
painted picture OF Mr.. Charles U. Williams
with his hand on the throat OF toiling tax
payer, eXtorting Interest on BONDS we gave
10 borrow money. Northern men and for
ejoners he clearly convicted OF the crime OF
investing capital in Virginia banks and rail-
roads, and are, therefore, ft subjects for
vigilant watching, that they may not avoid
reSdiustment This Is not thrillingly happy
logic lust now in these parts, for we are
couuetting with some terrible northern
d" bondhoIders" to build us three South
west Virginia railroads. and we don't want
10 "resdiust" them until all these roads get
the rails GOWN.
Hi, Republican associate, John +. LtwiS,
and our own sweet William Malone, the
Republican senator, be took up tenderly
and handled with care. or their careers he
gave us scarce hOmC9 )pathic dose. They
were avoided TO degree. One might ina
CINE mis- acquaintance with William was OF
the slightest incidental character. But he
dwelt at length on Ben. Hill, OF Georgia.
So great is his aversion to railroads and rail-
road peopIe that one would stare with sur
prise il it should ever be told he even saw
any of the little Williams pencilings IN the
DAYS OF consolidation, when Virginia lost
her Door seven millions in Atlantic, Mlssls-
sippi and Ohio; the which might yet be
hers had not little William become wreck
er before be became reconslructor.
There was no reply. None was needed.
No harm was done to the Democratic party.
The final appeal was for reSdjusting Legis-
lature. And why! Because there Is a
United States senator TO elect; and who
will more deserve the sympathy OF that
party than Colonel Cameron il not elected
Governor? / do not say Colonel Cameron's
speech was that OF demagOgue. lie Is not
vet that, but is the first gentleman in his
party. But what man could stand on his
platform aud make speech fit for utterance
by Governor Of virginia. The most I'M
fortunate utteranee risked by the speaker
was his proposition to secure the election OF
Supreme. Court judges pledged TO reddJuSt'
nent under the Riddteberger bull! Boldly
he venlured this startling declaration, re-
pugnant and shocking as is the idea
Of permitting that high court to be
dragged down in the mud OF politl-
cal prejudice. Poor Virginia! Are there
enough of your sons with hearts 100
calous or necks too proud to bow IN rev.
erence to your ancient honor, or listen to
the appeals OF your prestige and once fair
fame, TO do this thing:
Messrs. Editors, urge our Convention to
give us ticket free from even the odor OF
compromised principles. Call it the Bour-
bon Democratic party" and If the re be by
alliances and combinations elements equal to
composing our defeat, let it be as in 1866
defeat with honor.
But there is no fear OF defeat unless we
merit il, BOURBON.