The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-28
bedford Sentinel
Whitehead Against Van Auken.

lDtuibiu EfhAihtlsI
Whitehead Against Van Auken.
In the political discussion at the court
house Monday Captain Thomas Whitehead
opened with the argument that the debt
question was strictly local question, that
the Republican party OF the North. and in
fact all over the country, cried ont against
it, would have nothing to do with it until
Malone made the bargain TO give them
votes for their money that the Democrats
of the State separated into two parties,
Debt-Paycrs and ReadiuSters or Repudia-
tors that since the question has been de-
cided according to Readiuster desires,
none but Republicans have objected TO il,
save those Readjusters who were hank
ering after the tesE-pOts. He asked what
reason Democrats could have for FORM
ing faction or third party; charged the
Readjusters with selling out to the Repub-
lican party; that Malone had taken COM
plete charge OF the old members OF the
Republican party; had taken them and
Rcidjusters by the nape Of the neck and
shaken the lie out OF them unless they
would bow down and work for him. He
then cave complete and Scathing history
OF the advent OF the " carpet-bagger and
scalawag." With the doingS Of the Loyal
League" whose members he charged
with having thrown one arm around the
" colored Brother while slipping the
other hand into his pocket for the quarter
supposed to be lurking there; called upon
the gentleman who WAS TO oppose him 10
speak " right ont in the meeting" and tell
TO which party he belonged, whether Re-
publican or Democrat, and how he would
vote in 1881. Receiving no reply, he called
upon the negroes to know whether they
were not Republicans. and with one voice
they answered, YES. Then he scored
Mr. Van Aullcn again, and charged him
with being an original dycd-in-ihe-wool
Republican and carpet-bagger," and the
crowd joining in the cry for his
party principle, finally wrung from him
that he was for "anything TO beat
the Bourbon Funders." After showing
how the Republican party had collected
from Virginia 800, 900, 900 OF tax on tobacco
alone since the close OF the war, and re-
viewing the record Of the Malone party in
detail their legislation looking to plum
der filing the State with officers OF their
own creation TO prey upon the earnings OF
the people, he paid his respects to Mr..
Van Auken in various and sundry items
OF llllllOIi-N> " llDh tlli AiiAlbitA al
party had corrupted the ncgroes-hOw the
Readiusters had tempered with the school
system and ell other State institutions.
AT , O'Clock Mr.. Van Auken took the
stand to reply, and after floundering
around in a vain attempt to refute the
charges made by his opponent undertook
to say what John w. Daniel had said about
applying the torch TO schOol-houSes. This
remark came near bringing on general
row. for man never had truer friends than
Major Daniel has right here in Liberty. and
instantly two well-knOwn members Of the
bar were on Their feet and demanding in
thundcr-tonos the rctraction OF the oflen-
sive remarks. and after some cOnSid-
cradle war OF words, succeeded in getting
Mr.. Van Auken TO read what Daniel him.
self had said on the same subject, seeming
to have anticipated Just such scene. The
speaker went on TO give credit TO Malone
for having reduced the tobacco-taX, for
having built up the schools. saved the
State millions OF money in many ways,
having abolished the whipping-poSt, to the
10Y of the luckless captive who had been
wont to suffer thereat, that the BOur-
bon-Funder party had formed an ALI
ance with Judge Bond for the reopen
ing OF the debt question, and used
all the well-worn epithets which have
long been the capital stock OF that party,
and closed with the injunction TO his
" friends and fellow-citizens to put their
trust in Malone. And right here a gen.
tleman present remarked that he had done
so for two wears when on the railroad, but
Malone didn't pay.
The speaker was occasionally loudly
cheered by Abel Hunter and other bril-
liant "colored statesmen" assisted by hall
dozen whites who wear the collar with
Mahone's name stamped thereon.
The old standard-bearer then took the
floor again, and amid a perfect storm OF
applause picked Van Auken and his
speech TO shrcds and scattered them like
chat before the wind. Never have we
heard any one so ridiculed and so COM
pletely used up as was this poor "eX-car-
pet-bagger." who could not help joining
in the laugh created at his own expense.
lie could not help seeing how vulnerable
he was, having been so long astride the
political fence. and now doing duty for
Malone. Whitehead pointed out the folly
OF talking about the whipping-post, as
honest men of either complexion had no
fears Of it, and showed up the utter fallacy
OF the Readjusters claiming credit for
anything but desire for place and
plumber. All this time " Bourbon
Funder" stood comforting Mr.. Van Au-
kin by saying to him in an undertone,
Just as well own up; "You can't deny
that" etc., etc. When he had finished
there was nothing left unsaid. no bone I'M
picked, and Van Auken's attempt to reply
was exceedingly lame, and caused gene
raj stampede from the courtroom, which
was crowded, Notwithstanding the in"
clement weather, and this, not for want
of respect to the speaker, but because
he had nothing new TO say; could only re-
pcnt the old SONG of % bourbon EundersV