The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-09-09

carelessness, which Rufus A. Ayers, the
next attorney general Of Virginia and q
sterling Democrat, would never repeat.
Mr.. Blair's action in this matter had
been Of such character that the pco-
pie of Virginia cannot and will not
endorse him again for the high office
which he seeks.
Blalr's position, in fact, was almost
farcical. Several negro women were
among his most attentive listeners. A
peddlcr, who had patent medicines and
cheap stationery, proclaimed the vir-
tues OF his wares just in front Of the
Republican speaker, while negro BAN
joist on his left sang for tho amusement
Of a large crowd an intolerably long
ditty. But he stuck out to the end, al
though his crowd Of seven. white men
and hundred negro men and women
dwindled away to almost handful be-
fore his speech was finished. Blair
made dozen Misrepresentation which
could easily have been corrected had he
been engaged in joint debate. In this
way he revengcd himself upon the Dem
ocrats. The contrast between the earliest
and substantial men who gathered around
Fitz Lee, to the number Of nearly a
thousand, with Blair's motley handful,
fully justities the State committee III
refusing to permit a joint debate.
Gen. Lee was interviewed and re.
qucsted to say something about John
Wise's military record, out Of which the
Republican newspapers arc making so
much capital. Gen. Lee replied that he
had nothing to say individually about
Capt. Wisc's record as soldier, but he
thought there was no impropriety in
quoting Capt. Wise against himself, It
happens that several years ago Capt.
Wise addressed the students Of the Vir-
ginia Military Institute. Capt Wise
chose as his subject "Thc Battle Of Hay
market" He referred particularly to
his own participation in that engage
mcnt. Now, inasmuch as the Rcpubli-
can newspapers had narrated Capt.
Wisc's prccocious valor and skill at
arms, it would be we'll to consider the
truth Of the stutement which had been
made by,Republcans, that Capt. Wise,
although detailed with several other
cadets to guard wagon in the rear, had
impetuoualy disobeyed orders to par
ticipate in the battle. Capt. Wise in his
own speech distinctly stated that he re-
mained by the wagon and was there
wounded by fragment eta shell.
The one charge for which Republican
organs have been condcmning Gen. Lea
is his alleged opposition to the building
Of free bridge in Stafford County, the
home Of the late Senator Duff Green.
Itappcars that bill was introduced in
the Legislature providing that on the
application OF fifty citizens Of Stafford
County, twenty-five Of whom should be
frecholders, the County Of Stafford
should hc required to issue it's bonds
for the construction Of free bridge.
Duff Green and his friends in his imme-
diate neighborhood wanted this bridge
built. The majority of the citizens of
the county did not desire the improve
ment. Gen. Lee, at the request Of his
fellow-citizens, went to Richmond
and appeared before the commit
tee to which the bill had been
referred. He offered substitute.
and insisted that the bill should
be so amended that the issuance
of the bonds should b. lcfl to the voters
of the county, who should decide at q
special election whether the bridge
should be built at the county's expense.
This was his entire connection with the
matter. His action was endorsed by the
people OF his county, (small- beer polili-
clans and negroes not included,) and
this is the size Of the offence for which
Republican organs have beeE bcrating
Gen. Lee.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF LEES SPEECH.
[From the Richmond Dispatch.]
AccoMAc COURTHOUSE VIA TAsLEY,
VA, August 31.-Gen. Lee arrived at
Accomac Courthouse this morning
about 10 O'Clock. The crowd here al
that hour was immense. Early in the
day vehicles crowded with sturdy farm
ers began to roll into the village. a,
noon fully fifteen hundred persons were
gathered in. and about the Courthouse
green. Under the shade Of the trees
in the courtyard platform had been
erected, upon which was printed
in large letters; "Democrats Meet
ing" About thirty yards distant
WAS another platform, which had
been constructed for the use Of the
Republicans. who also held meeting