The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-10-25
A Splendid Meeting.
HON. EDGAR ALLEN IN AUGUSTA. THE
FUNDERs DECLINE A DISCUSSION.-A
MAGNIFICENT ADDRESS.

There is one thing peculiar about TIN
canvass of this year. Whenever the Coali
tion representative, from whatever cause
fails to meet an appointment, the Fundel
speaker who is present, always expresses
the profoundest regret that there is no op
portunity for joint discussion. He strongly
intimates that it would afford him thu
greatest pleasure to annihilate the adyer
sary had not discretion convinced that ad
versary that there is safety only in absence
On the other hand. however, when the Co
alition orator meets his appointment, ane
the Funder representative is also on hand
any and every excuse is awaited of on be
half of the Funders to avoid a joint
discussion of the issues involved in the
canvass. The last Rockingham and Au'
gusta Courts furnish fair illustration.
Gov. Cameron was announced to address
the voters at Harrisonburg on last Monday
week. By an accident his ankle was Sc
badly sprained that it was impossible fol
him to travel. Judge Christian, on the
part of the Funders, reached HarrisOn-
burg on that day, and in the course of his
speech took occasion to allude more than
once to the bitter disappointment he felt
at not being able to confront Cameron.
Last Monday, however, at the Augusta
Court, when the distinguished judge was
offered an equal division of time, those
who represented him did not seem to pant
for joint discussion, but, on the contrary,
fatty refused to give the people an oppor-
tunity to hear both sides.
The announcement that the Hon. Edgar
Allan, of Richmond, would address the
voters of Augusta at the Court House on
Monday last, had been published for a
month past. 1t had also been announced
through the papers that the Hon. A. M.
Kelley, of Richmond, would speak for the
Funders the same day. Every one under
stood that there would be a joint discussion
in the Court House, and a rare time was
anticipated, for it is safe to say that the
gentlemen named are the ablest advo-
Gates of their respective parties. There
are usually three court days ina campaign.
At the August Court the Funders had the
Court House and were addressed by Mr..
Massey At the September Court the Co.
alitionists had the Court House and were
addressed by Messrs. Sims and Blair. The
honors being easy so far, the question as
to which side was entitled to the Court
IIo,,co ~ +I,o DOT rhar (,n,,,.t xuoc c;p,plv q
question of priority of application. The
Coalitionists applied to the Judge first and
their application was granted. Subsequently
the Funders applied and were told that it
was too late. After this, it was expected
that the Fmders would make application
for division of time. This, however,
they did not do. nor would they accept the
proposition mentioned below in the cor
respondence between Messrs. Craig and
Bumgardner. 1t looks as if they are
afraid to let the people hear both sides.
THE MEETING.
There was. considering the disagreeable
weather. q large number of voters in town
on Monday last. The rain came down al
most necessarily, and the streets were
muddy and uncomfortable. The Court
House bell was rung little after IL clock,
and soon the room began to fill up. Mr..
Allan had spoken but a short time before
the gallery and floor were both crowded
and standing room was at a high premium.
AS the speaker entered the room he was
greeted with hearty cheers, and from that
moment until the close of the, address the
enthusiasm increased. He was introduced
by VIM. E. Craig, Chairman of the Coali-
tion Committee. In the introduction Mr..
Craig alluded to the efforts made to have a
joint discussion, and read the following
notes, which show square back-doWn of
the Funders:
STAUNToN, VA. Oct. %, 'S3.
Capt. Jas. Batnagdrdfser, Jr., Chairman
Democratic County Committee:
SIR-As it has been publicly advertised
that there would be political speaking in
the Court House on this day, and as speak
ers representing both parties are present,
we submit on the part Of our speaker,
Hon. Edgar Allan. a proposition for a
joint discussion in the Court House, on the
usual terms, it being our day. s
Respectfully,
VIM. E. CRAIG,
Chairman Coalition Co Com