The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-15
OPENING or THE POLITICAL CANVASS.
Hon. John z. MASSEY and Colonel William
r. Sims at Louisa Courthouse.
Correspondence OF the Richmond DIspatch.l


Correspondence OF the Richmond DIspatcb.l
Notice had been busily and extensively
circulated that Colonel w. +. Sims would
address the citizens OF Louisa ut their court
to-day. He arrived here on the noon train
and found TO his evident dismay Hon.
John 4. Massey here TO meet him in dis
cussion. This was more than he bargained
for. He said he "didn't come here to en-
gage In discussion A committee OF Mr..
Massey's friends waited on him Massey to
know what terms he desired. He replied,
~ desire none but fair terms. neither CIV
ing nor taking advantage" When they
approached Col. Sims he proposed that he
(Sims) should speak a half-hour. Mr.. Mas
sey an hour and half. and he close in one
hour. Mr.. Massey's friends were not viii
ling to accept such unfair terms, and Mr..
Massey then proposed that he or Sims
should speak one hour. Mr.. Sims having
the choice OF opening or closing, the other
to follow with an hour, and each to have a
half-hour rejoinder. This was positively
refused by Sims and bis friends, one OF
them declaring they intended to dictate,
and another that unless Mr.. Massey accept
ed the terms they had offered he should
not speak at all. Ii being evident that Sims
and his little crowd OF white followers,
with large number OF blacks, were deter
mined not 10 have discussion upon fair
terms, and as they claimed the box UPON
which both speakers were standing, Mr..
Massey told Colonel Sims he might have
the box, but should not have the crowd.
Another box was soon placed about fifty
steps away. and with the cry of " This
way, freemen," almost the entire portion OF
the intelligent and respectable crowd fol-
| lowed Mr.. Massey with earnest applause,
and listened with marked and interested
attention, interpreted with hearty and
frequent applause to him for two and a
half hours. Mr. Massey said he was
anxious to meet Colonel Sims i'm Joint dis
cussion, and was willing for him to have
his preference as to the order Of speaking.
but could not with proper self-respect or
respect for his party submit to the
arrogance and dictation which these
| Coalitionists were displaying and pro-
posed to monopolze all the court
now until the election; that this was the
| first battle OF the campaign, and they had
as well understand at the beginning that
| lIlt VI UOt ililtHNi
| to tolerate such arrogance. Mr.. Massey
said he was particularly anxious to meet
| Colonel Sims for special reason. lie
owed him an apology; that at Floyd Court
house Colonel Sims, after saying many
other severe things OF General Malone.
turned TO him and said: II want you to
tell General Malone from me that | say he
actually stole six millions OF dollars; yes,
| ell \ ba on ;,f
| is no danger OF any trouble with him. lie
won't fight, and never would" Mr.. Mas
sey said he had not delivered the message,
and wanted 10 apologize TO Colonel Sims
for his failure to do so, but he supposed it
made no difference, Us Sims had been so
closely allied to Malone since that time
that he had fine opportunities to deliver
his own message.
Towards the close Of Mr.. Massey's
speech, Colonel Sims having subsidized and
left his box. several COaitonists sought to
interrupt him by asking him questions.
He answered them promptly and courie.
ously, but much to their discomfort. He
then said he wished to ask them this one
question: Are you a Democrat or a Re-
publican: None would answer the ques-
ton squaiely. Some said. a. am Read
juster." But" said Mr.. Massey, 1.-the
State debt has been finally settled. There
is nothing now to readiust. Readiust-
ment has done its work. Now, who are
You going with, Democrats or Republic
cans!" Not one would answer the queS-
ton, but one by one they all retired to the
rear. The Democrats OF Louisa are iubi-
liant and confident OF electing their candi-
date for the Legislature. They have gone
to work, and intend to set an example
worthy of imitation. Mr.. Massey's speech
was thoroughly practical, instructive, and
enthusing. and VISA greatly enjoyed by the
large crowd who listened to him through
ont