Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-09-12
Rev. II. N. Dawson's Speech at Lex.
1ngtOn.


On Monday of last week, speeches
were made at Lexington by Rev. J. M.
Dawson, straightout Republican candi-
dfIte for ongressman.at-Large; Col. D.
J. Woodfin, straightout Republican can
didate for Congress in the 9Th District
and Capt. J. II. Rives, Coalition candi.
date for Cor gress in the 9Th District.
We copy below the notice which the
Lexington Gazette makes of the speech
of Rev. J. M. Dawson, straightout Re-
publican can didate for Congressman. at
large. in opposition to Rev. John e.
Massey and Capt. John s. Wise.
The Gazette says:-
"It was about one O'Clock before the
Republicans began their proceedings
The crowd was notified by the singing
of campaign song, Henry Clay acting
as leader. Attic conclusion of the song
Mr.. r. e. Freeman, chairman of the Re-
publican County Committee, introduced
Rev. J. M. Dawson, candidate for Con-
gresham. at Large. Dawson is good
looking, dignified man, almost white,
and speaks with fluency and to the
point. The negroes present seemed to
listen to him with an evident desire to
understand his position, and he appeared
to make goUd impression upon them.
He thought the Readjuster party under
more obligation to the c0l0red man than
the cOlored man was to the Readjusters.
This was no time to leave the Repub.
lican party and join another. It had
been charged that the colored men could
not organize. Let US disprove it. John
8. Wise is not of us, but John Dawson
Is bone of your bone and flesh of your
flesh. The Readjusters are trying to use
our own forces against US. Let US stop
firing upon ourselves. Wheel right
about and return to the Republican par
ty-Mahone has been deceiving you
March forward under the. Republican
banner to victory on the 18th of Novem
Der. Are 81 GOO Readjusters to dictate to
129, 900 Repu blicans who they shall send
to Congress? You now vote solid-as
you did in 1875-you will carry Virginia
solid for the Republicans. Salvation to
our party is with the colored voters. It
is in very bad taste for 129. 600 Republi-
cans to be ruled by 81 900 Democrats
Don't do it. Malone means to beat you
with his own game. Here is the shrewd-
ness, keenness and deception of Malone.
Hon. John Paul says vote with US in
local elections, and go back 20 your own
party IN national contests, Here is
national contest; State and local mat.
tiers have nothing to do with 1t. and yet
you ere asked to vote with the Readjust
ers. Where is the promise to let you
alone? The Malone party is only 60.
between. The Readjuster party is sink.
Ing now-and when it ends what are
you going to do? What are you going
to readjust i'll national contest?
Malone said you might 60 and aid
your own party in q national contest
Now show your manhood and do it,
They harp on free education. Why the
Republican party has been the party
OF free education ever since it has
now to desert it. because the Read.
Justers claim to- be the party of free
education? What have the Readjusters
done? Why they have turned out com
petent teachers and educators and have
put in teachers who are utterly worth
less Why the people no are appoint
ed to examine teachers know nothing
themselves. and how can they examine
others? 1 would not send child of
mine to the free schools in my district,
because they would learn nothing. The
teachers are not qualified, mentally. So
cially or religiously. Let's leave these
people and work for ourselves; those
who have promised SO much and done
so little. Let's stand together, and by
the side of the great National Republi-
can party, and all will be well in No.
vember. The Republicans have prom
ised much, but have done more than
they ever promised to do. They are our
friends let us stick to them.
Rev. Dawson poured solid shot of this
sort into the Coalition concern, and
made many good points, which we
would be glad to give if we had the
room"
1t would seem from Dawson's account
that the public schools in his district are
of no value. He says he would not send
a child of bis to them. as they would
learn nothing, as 'the teachers are not
qualified mentally, socially, or religious
ly," and that those ''who are appointed
to examine teachers know nothing
themselves" This is not the case..in
this portion Of the State where the
whites largely predominant.