The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-03
THE STATE CANVASS.
PubIic Discussions mt Patrick Co"rt'
HouRc.

FORCED TO THE WALL.
rcorresoondcnce OF the Richmond Dspatch.I
PATRICK COURTHOUSE,
September &c, 1888.
The first public discussion In this coun-
~ NJ the political issues OF the day came
of Yesterday, our County-Court day. me
announcement having been made that
mass-mecting OF the Democratic party
would be held yesterday TO nominate q can
didate for the House OF Delegate, and that
Colonel O'Ferrall would be present on that
occasion, an unusually large crowd was III
attendance. About 10 o'clock the Colonei
and Pat McCaull made their appearance
The court having at an early hour ad-
iourned for the day. the expected mass
meeting was held, and Abram Mays, n
wounded Confederate soldier, who lost DIS
right arm at the battle OF the Wilderness
was nominated as our standard-bearer Dy
representative meeting, and the nomlna-
ton afterwards ratified by m1ss-meetins
by unanimous vote. Whilst Mr.. Mays Is
a plain. unassuming gentleman, never
having heretofore mingled In political con-
tests, still he is not only Democrat, but
one OF the "old issue"-true and tried-a
man Of courage. good moral character, ana
sound judgment, and 1t IS confidently a:-
serted by persons informed as to inc senti-
ments OF the people that he VIII be tri'
umphantly elected.
The Coalitionists nominated Mr.. John
Hooker for the House.
TIE DISCUSSION.
After the announcement OF the candl-
dates vast crowd assembled to hear the
cbampions OF the respective parties. "A
temporary disagreement as to the terms oil
the discussion having been settled. 1t was
finally so arranged that Colonel O'Ferrail
was to open in speech OF one hour, Mr..
McCaull 10 follow in one Of an hour and Il
half. and Colonel O'Ferrall TO conclude in II
half an hour.
COLONEL O'FERRALL'S OPENING.
The Colonies opening speech was well
worthy OF his high reputation, not only as
q debater but rs an orator. He gave q
rapid, clear, and concise review OF the his
tory OF the Democratic party from ITS
formation down to the present time. show
inc that all the great and beneticent mea-
sures, under the operation OF which the
present prosperity OF the country, its glo-
nv and renown, not only at home but
abroad, had been accomplished, were pass
ed under the auspices Of the Democratic
party.
THE TRIALS AND SUPFERINGs OF THE PEOPLE.
He then pictured in a graphic manner,
what will not soon be forgotten, the trials
and suflcrings the people OF Virginia had
undergone for ten years from the cruel
and oppressive acts OF the Republican alias
Radical party, composed OF carpet-baggers,
scalawags. and ignorant negroes, abiding
more particularly TO the manner in which
the people OF this county had been ha-
rassed, prosecuted, and dragged seventy
miles from their homes by the Internal
revenue officers, the agents OF the internal
revenue department. He alluded to the
public schools, and proved from the record
that the present efficiency OF the system
was due to the Democratic party, which
long before the birth OF the Readiuster
party had so shaped measures a to put
into successful operation the free-school
system; that the lenkcl bill was Demo
cratic measure, introduced by Democrat,
and supported by all the Democratic MEN,
bers OF the House Of Delegates. He then
closed his speech, frequently interrupted
by loud and rapturouS applause, with rs
eloquent pererati0n as ever the writer OF
this article listened TO.
MCAULL TAKES THE STAND.
The Hero then sat down, and the IIarle-
quin stepped upon the stage. Pat Nc
Caull has very pleasant face, and is evil
IDENTITY ga good fellow" He is n man Of
" infinite Jest and excellent fancy" The
writer Of this article will not undertake to
pass in review his remarkable speech, for
that is impossible. As a piece OF comic
acting, the performance was decided
success. As an argument OF the living,
important issues OF the d1y, it was be-
meath criticism. His arguments were like
Gratiano's of Venice. They were as three
grains OF wheat in whole bushel oil chalI.
You might search all day ere you found
them, and when found, they were not
worth the search. He presented to the
writer the appearance Of being very agile
man. He jumped backwards and for wards
on the stage in manner that led one to
suspect he had been wonderful foot.raccr
in his day. He would prance back for ten
or twelve feet, and then rush upon Colonel
OFerrall at the rate OF ten knots an hour,
until the spectator supposed he intended
to make a somersault clear over the COloners
head and land on the other side. He
would then come to 4 dead halt, point his
finger in the Colonies face, and dart back
again as ii he was running on springs, all
the time giving utterance to vast deal OF
"sound and fury signifying nothing" AS
an anecdote-teller he is unsurpassed, some
times telling such as would bring the blush
Of shame to the cheeks OF many in the as
semblage. He worked himself into such
tempest of excitement that he had to pull
of his coat and roll up his slceves-a per-
formance not very usual before genteel au-
diences. His speech gave great satisfaction
to his friends-the people Of "Airican
descent" and some OF the Coalition breth-
rem. During his speech he was, upon the
call of Colonel O'Ferrall, compelled TO make
one admission which he evidently did not
desire TO make, and that was he intended
to vote for the nominee OF the Republican
party for the next presidency as against a
Bourbon Democrat. When this announce
ment was made he looked curiously around
expecting to he greeted by rounds OF ap-
plause, but there followed the silence OF
the grave. The announcement evidently
threw damper upon his white friends.
COLONEL O'rERRALL's CONCLUSION.
When Colonel O'Ferrall rose up, at the
conclusion Of Mr.. McCaulrs speech, he
was greeted with such a round OF apple Use
rs made the courthouse shake to its very
foundation, and which showed in no un-
certain sound that Democratic blood was
up to a fever heat. This article has been
protracted to too great a length for me to
pretend to give even synopsis Of the Col
onePs speech. 1t wasa wonderful success.
He poured hot shot into Pat; he ridiculed
him; he told telling anecdotes upon HIM
all suitable for ears polite-he heaped fire
on his head, and when Pat, writing I'M
der the Coloneps telling blows, would rise
TO explain, he would send him Keeling back
with utter discontinue. While the speech
was an excoriating one, still it abounded
with pertinent anecdotes, repartee, pathos.