The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-11
THE CANVASS IN VIRGINIA.
Judrc Christian ON Governor Cam

COURTHOUSE REPORT OF JUDob
CHRISTIANS scATBrSG ExoRDIuN.
We supplement our telegraphic account
NJ the discussion between Judge Joseph
Christian and Governor Cameron at Mat
thews Courthouse Monday with extracts
from letter from that place, in which APP
pears rerbdtim report OF the Judges
exordium. The letter says: Judge CHRIS
tian then made reference TO the appearance
OF Governor Cameron, and spoke a. iol-
lows:
During my service OF eighteen years on
the bench | never attended 4 politicaI
meeting nor listened 10 n political speech.
In nv old-fashioned Virginia notions OF
official propriety had always thought That
one occupying high official station ought
not TO bedraggle his robes OF office IN the
mire and dust OF the political arena. But
il Is said this is new era, and | mourn 10
learn that "old things have passed away
and all things are become new" some
things find here to-day are new to me
new TO the people OF this Commonwealth
painfully new-without precedent IN the
history OF Virginia and humiliating to
every true son OF Virginia. 1t is new
and painful thing to me to see the Gov
ernor OF this great Commonwealth leave
the Executive Mansion and come down to
the hustlngs, and, with the robes Of his
high office wrapt around him. disport nm
self in the arena Of partisan politics.
Especially is il new and strange To me, ana
never before heard OF i'm any state OF THIS
Union, where the executive head OF inc
State government interfercs with the elec-
ton OF members OF the State Legislature.
Net being one OF the latter-day saints OF
this new era, | had thought in my SIM
plcity that the GROWING glory OF this re-
public and the principle imbedded in State
and Federal constitutions was that the
executive, legislative, and judicial depart
ments OF the governments should he sepa-
rate and independent Of each other, and
that there should be no interference by the
one with the other. had thought IN my
simplicity that Governor when installed in
Office was the Governor OF the State-was
Governor OF the whole people-and
not OF political party; that when
raised TO that high Office he was
clothed in the unspotted robes OF
Executive power TO execute the laws for
the people, and not to promote the interest
OF q political party aud obey the behests OF
q political boss. | say that man is moi Gov
ernor OF Virginia, but he is a partisan Gov
ernor. who seeks by coming down to the
hastings to influence the election OF a
Legislature to SUIT his political views and
to carry out the policy Of his party. But
this is indeed new era, and strange
things are happening in these disiointed
times. The landmarks OF the glorious past
are fast fading out Of sight. The Ship OF
state is drifting upon an unknown sea,
and il she be not rescued from the crew
now guiding her course God only knows
what storms may beat upon her, what
darkness may cover her, or what whelming
waves may enguli her. Oh! my cOun-
trymen, what fall is here! Think,
o think, OF the illustrious prcdeces-
sors OF Virginia's Governor to-day-the
Henrys, the JeffersonS. the Tylers, the
Tazewells, the BarbourS, the Smiths, the
Wises. the Letchers. the kemperS, the
Holidays, laying aside their official robes
to come down to the hastings to influence
and control tine election OF a Legislature
to carry out the policy OF n party. 1t must
have been the effect Of that "malign in
fluence" which now pervadeS and poisOns
the political atmosphere that produces this
sad and dcmoralzinS change in tile prac-
tees and customs Of our fathers. | noticed
on my journey TO this place that placard-
inform the people OF Matthews that Cover
nor Cameron would address the people "Dy
request 1t is true that this is not signed
civilian Malone, Chairman" rs Their
other notices are, but | could not help
thinking that this was done "by request
of that little autocrat. j know that Will
liam Malone requested the JUDGE OF this
county. by circular-letter, to pay up a
part Of his salary by way Of assessment for
campaign purposes; and II he can request
a Judge TO pay money he can invite Gov
ernor to make a speech. But as pitiabe
and humliating rs this exhibition is to old
fashioned Virginlans like myself, it is full OF
encouragement and hope for the success OF
our glorious cause. 1t shows that the lead
ers of the Coalition party know their cause
is desperate. 1t shows that the breach is
already made and the ranks are breaking
all along the line, and Malone and Came
ron are now desperately rushing to the
front to stop the retreat and prevent 4
panic. But they come to the rescue too
late. The victory is already ours. Read
ulster Democrats have now had their eyes
opened to the fact that they have been
hoodwinked and betrayed and are being
led into the ranks Of their old enemy, the
Republican party, and now by whole regi.
ments and brigades they are marching
back to the standards of the Democracy,
and on the ides OF November the Black
and-Tan Coalition-Republican party vii
be swept from power by the cyclone OF
popular Indignation.
In referring to the Judges catechism OF
the Governor, the letter also gives fuller
report, as follows:
And now, before entering upon this dis.
cusSion, which | intend to conduct will
that courtesy which the high Office the
gentleman holds entities him to receive
and the dignity Of the Office recently held
by me demands, want to know here and
now, before | proceed further, WHO is the
foeman / have to meeti / will not hur
my lance against knight with his visor
down. / would not strike in the dark
like an assassin. ! may have a foemar
worthy Of my steel, but | want to know
who that foeman is and under wha
banner does he fight. | will ask hin
now courteous question, and / de
mand, and these people demand. can
did answer. Ny question is, " Are 20,
a Democrat or are you Republican You
know there are but two parties in thi,
Countrywide National Democratic and th,
National Republican party" Here Gov
ernor Cameron arose and said, any
friends, am a Democratic Resdiuster. >
Judge Christian then said, Sir, Will b.
more specific. In the great coming contes
OF 1854, will you vote for Hancock, o
Hendricks, or Holman, or any other De
mocrat that may be nominated by the De
mocratic National Convention z" Tn
Governor here again arose and said h,
would not vote for any party that would
not carry ont the views OF the Resdjustel
party Of Virginia.
Judge Christian gave him a scathing re
A NJ - In.,l 81. 4