Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-22
CARROLL COUNTY.

JoiB, Diserssion Between General James \.
WaIkeraud AIR. Page Morris.
Correspondence ofthe Richmond Dispatch
HIILsvILLE, VA, October 10, 1885.
To-day--our County-Court day
there was joint discussion at this place
between General James A. Walker, of
Wytheville, and Mr.. Page Morris, of
Lynchburg. According to the terms Of
the discussion, Mr.. Morris opened in a
speech Of one hour and half. General
Walker followed in a speech of the
same length, and each spoke one half
hour in conclusion.
Although the big. guns Of the Repub-
lican party have been exploded here
during the present canvass-WiSe hay
ing spoken here at our September court
and other Republican speakers at our
August COURT must say that Mr..
Morris made the most argumentative,
respectable, and decent speech that has
been made by any Republican speaker
in this county. Mr.. Morris attacked
the record Of the last Legislature
charged the Democratic party with
being opposed to the free schools. He
said they were opposed to the Blair
bill, and responsible for the hard times.
He attacked the record of the Demo-
cratic party in the history of the cOun-
try.
When General Walker arose to re-
ply he was greeted by loud and con-
tinuous applause. No other speaker
in Virginia knows so well how to ad-
dress, interest. and hold together the
men Of the mountains Of the South
west as that true champion Of Virginia
Democracy. Cool and temperate in
debate, never offering insult except in
answer to one given fearless, bold,
ard aggressive, with a rough, good
humor never lacking and ever appre-
ciated, the General is always an eiiec-
tive canvasser. Briefly referring to the
history of the Democratic party from
the days Of Jefferson to the present
time, showing that its principles were
coeyal with the existence Of the Gov
eminent, and will survive as long
as the republic exists, he success
fully indicated the past and pre-
sent record of the party, demon
stratipg that the Democratic party was
in TO way responsible for the failure to
pass the Blair educational bill. He
also showed that the Democratic party
Of the State had increased the number
Of the public schools and rendered the
system more efficient. Taking up the
platform of the Mahone-Republican
Convention, the speaker mentioned the
fact that Mr. Morris had not even al
luded tc it. lie said Morris was too
much Of gentleman to endorse the
declarations by which two thirds Of the
white people Of the State were branded
as tallot-box suffers and assassins;
that be (the speaker had imperilled
his life on many field OF
battle in defence Of his native State
that he, in common with the other men
who wore the gray, were for peace, and
that the men Of the North who had
fought the war to a successful termina-
ton had joined hands with the men of
the South to preserve and perpetuate
mere perfect Union; that it is
left to the Shermans Of the North, the
Wises and the "slippery-fee" Blairs
Of Virginia TO endeavor to keep alive
sectional strife and preserve sectional
party.
General Walker fully answered every
charge brought against the last Legis-
lature. In his address, by his forcible
arguments and sound reasoning, he
brought conviction to all doubtful
voters.
In bis half-hour reply, Mr.. Morris
made most impotent effort to recover
from the sledge- hammer blows which
his party had received.
General Walker, in conclusion. paid
his respects 10 the Republican
candidate for the House Of Dele
gates in this county, who is running
Is an lndependent--th candidate, he
said, being ashamed of his party, or
the party ashamed Of its candidate.
Throughout the discussion the court
house, where the speaking took place,
Was densely crowded. The Democrats
Of the county are fully aroused, and
wiii undoubtedly give handsome ma
Jori'y for the Democratic ticket. M.
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