Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-23
opr.K1NG AT FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE.
FAIRFAX G. H., Sept. y.

IT. The editor of the alexandria Gazette:
This has been most brilliant day for the
democratic cause in Fairfax. Ithaving been
extensively advertised that the Malone
party would hold meeting at tho Court
House today to be addressed by Mr.. c. NJ.
Loutham one of their principal canvassers,
and also that the Hon. James n. Dunlop
would address the democrats who might be
present. nearly three hundred people col
lected, and awaited with impotence the
adjournment of the court. Early in the day
Mr.. Hawxhurst, the chairman Of the Ma
hone party wrote to Mr.. Chichester, the
chairman Of the democratic county commit
tee saying il was their desire that there
should be only one meeting and joint dis
CUSTOM" and requesting a conference for
the arrangement of terms. The challenge
was promptly accepted, and Messrs. George
Mason, A. G. Landstreet, and Z. w. Gal
| lard, as the committee, went to Ir. Hawk
hurst and declared their willingness to accept
any fair terms and proposed that Louthau
should open in an hours speech Dunlop fol-
low for an hour, then Louthan have half al
hour to reply, to be followed by Dunlop for
half an hour. This was rejected, ard
Hawxhurst proposed that Dunlop should
open for an hour, Louthan follow for an hour
aud half, then Dunlop follow for a half
hour. After an effort to get better terms
the democrats accepted this proposal; but
after conference with his friends
Hawkshurst withdrew from this ard
substituted two other propositions, say
ing the democrats could take either
they chose. Though both were very un-
fair the democrats finally agreed to one OF
them, but no sooner had this been done
than Mr. Hawxhurst withdrew that and
declared the only terms he would consent
to was that Dunlop should open for three
quarters Of an hour, Louthan reply for one
hour and ahalf, and Dunlop have three
quarters Of an hour to finish. His attention
was called to the manifest injustice of this,
as owing to the lateness of the hour, most
of the people would have to leave for home
by the time Dunlop came to make his reply,
Whic Louthan would have them all to hear
his speech, and, therefore, fifteen minutes
more were claimed for Dunlop at the open.
ing that he might have time to fairly pre-
sent the issues of the canvass. This being
refused, Mr.. Mason turned to the audience,
which now nearly filled the court room,
and said: Fellow citizens, we have otler-
| ed them fair terms and they refused them
| We then accepted in succession two Of their
own proposals, unfair as they were. AS
soon as We did so they withdrew them, ard
now only offer terms too unjust to be rec
ognized for moment. They evidently do
it to avoid fair discussion. /, therefore,
call on every democrat in this room to fol
| low me to the hall on the next corner, where
Mr.. Dunlop will address you. Let US not
submit to this injustice. Let all freemen
follow me!n Instantly every democrat
sprang to his feet and left the court house.
Perhaps fifteen blacks and dozen whites
were left to hear Louthan, while the hall
was crowded with earnest and enthusiastic
men.
Mr.. Dunlop, for an hour and a half held
his audience spell.bound with one of the
most eloquent and effective speeches we
have ever heard. He particularly warned
the people not to allow themselves to be de-
ceived by the Establishments of so'called
"independent.dem Mahone's every
effort was now to gain the Legislature and
his favorite scheme in counties where the
vote was close, and his party in danger of
losing, was to bring out independent
democrats" The people should demand of
them what they meant by the term "inde.
/ peUueul, ihoN Si w lh>
question, "If you so to the Legislature
will you vote for Malone as the next
United States Senator or will you vote
for the democratic candidate ?" Mr..
Dunlop showed in the happiest manner
how they had already confessed they only
expected ito draw the weak-minded or the
weak kneeded" from our ranks, and asked
the question, Where is there the man who
will by his vote acknowledge that he &C
cepts the condemnation they have already
passed upon him, and by that vote admit
that he deserves the brand of being one Of the
idiots or towards whom alone they say they
expect to gain. Mr.. Dunlop closed amid
| great applause, and Messrs. Chichester and
Moore made we'll timed and excellent ad.
dresses Mr.. Mason was called out for e
speech, but excused himself owing to the
| lateness of the hour, only taking occasion
to warn the voters that every effort will be
made to trade off votes to FItZ Lee so as to
gain votes for the independent candidate"
for the Legislature; therefore they must
watch every precinct on The day Of election,
and be sure when they voted a ticket for
Lee, Massey and Ayers, that they were also
voting for D. M. Chichester, the real demo
cratic candidate for the Legislature.