The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-09-09
Fitz Lee on the Stump
| Special Dispatch to the News and Courier. |


PETERsRuRa, Va, September g.
Gen. Lee's'opening speech at Accomac
Court House last Monday was brill
liant success. The gathering of Demo
Gratis vas large and sympathetic. Gen.
Lee discussed the debt question cx.
haustivcly. He said that he worked
for the McCullock bill, which would
have paid the creditors of the State
thirty millions, but the Republican par
ty had triumphed over those who dcsir-
ed to pay the honest obligations Of the
State and had compelled the Democrats
to accept the Riddleberger settlement.
He now with his party stood by the bill.
Gen. Lee then took up the recent decis-
ion Of the Supreme Court touching the
construction Of the Eleventh amend
mcnt, and, discussing the question Of
States rights, which it is charged the
Democratic party. has raised, he quoted
from John Hancock and Alexander
Hamilton to justify the Democratic par
ty. He held with tho Democratic plat
form that the debt question had ceased
to be matter of dollars and cents, and
was now quest; Of the States SOW
ereignty-a question in which every
State in the Union is vitality interested.
Gen. Lee was guarded and dignified in
his illusions to John S. Wise, his oppo-
ncnt, and his language was wholly par
liamcntary. lie referred 10 tho reports
that Mr.. Wise was bclittling him in the
Southwest. This, however, Gen. Lee
said he could afford to pass without no.
tice, but he would arraign Mr.. Wise for
a grave political crime, which no Virgin
ian who honors the State can condonc,
and that crime was Mr.. Wise's vindic-
tive and and persistent slander Of his
native State, in maliciously representing
that the Democratic people Of Virginia
are prcmcditatcd assassins and ballot
box thieves. Mr.. Wise has claspca
hands with John Sherman and is quite
the equal Of the Ohio Senator in ira
ducing the Old Dominion.
Gen, Lee also scored point when he
dwclt upon Mr.. Wise's boasted scrvili-
ty. Mr.. Wise had confessed that he
had no higher ambition than to be Gen.
Mahone's slave. Mr.. Wise had admit
ted Gen. Mahone's absolute ownership
of the Republican candidate for Gov
ernor by addressing him as 'mastcr."
A slandercr Of his native State and the
yaunted slave of Gen. Malone was not
the proper man to be Governor Of Vir-
ginia. Wise's election would mean that
Gen Malone should be master of the
chief magistrate Of this Commonwealth.
Gen. Lee eloquently affirmed that he
was the boss of no man, and by all that
is holy would never be the slave of any
mortal that lives. Gen. Lee told the
people of aecomac that he wss not a
politician or professional stumper, but
that he was only plain faamer. who
had given the best Years OF his life to
tilling the soil. Tho audience, which
was almost entirely composed Of fnr-
mers, chcercd this declaration. With
marked emphasis lie spoke Of his love
for Virginia and his love for the nation.
He was as much an American as a Vir-
ginian. He loved this State no more than
his country, but he would say that he
ought to be thrice hated and thrice ac-
cursed should he ever forget the meu
with whom he had fought in days now
happily past. AS long as life remained
he would ever think with love and ven
Grafton Of the men who had followed the
standard Of the Confedcracy. He hon.
ored himself when he connected him
self with heroes who had shown such
valor and devotion. Gen. Lee here
commented with fine effect upon the ac-
ton of Gen. Malone in voting to ex-
cludo from the army and navy of the
United States all persons who had fought
under the Confederate flag, and quoted
an emphatic remark Of Jubal Early
which characterized Gen, Mahone's ac-
ton in this particular.
While Gen. Lee was making his
speech Republicans were holding q
meeting about fifty yards from the stand
which had been erected for the Demo-
cratic speakers. Attorney General
Frank Blair was the Republican orator.
He asked for n joint discussion with
Gen. Lee, but this was declined. Mr..
Blair seemed to be irritatcd by this re-
fusal, and frequently raised his voice to
its highest pitch. Turning around and
facing the Democratic meeting, and re-
fcrring to Gen. Lee,s ''That man over
yonder," Blair damned the Democratic
party to Ills hearts content. He did not,
however, seem to have much heart in
his work, and his performance was per
functory affair. Tho sight Of the large
Il L. ~ D.. y