The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1886-10-31
IlG Close Of The Canvass.
An Immense GrOwd--De
mOcracy JubilaIlt and
Enthusiastic.
THE DEMOCRATIC CANDI.
DATES DOWN THEIR OP-
PONENTS.

(which has ever taken place in Bun
combe closed yesterday, all the can.
didates closing their public discus
sions in Asheville. We have neYel
before seen SO many people in this
city on the occasion of a county
canvass. Nothing buta circus could
beat it. The best oforder prevailed
Throughout both sides had out thei1
friends, and each side was enthusi-
astic, but it was evident the larger
part of the crowd were with the
democracy.
The county candidates got
through with more than usual spirit,
the dem ocrats making effective in,
roads upon the enemy.
Mr.. Pearson opened for the legis-
lative canvass. We have heard
much of the character ofspeech de-
livered by this gentleman, but we
confess we were much surprised al
such coming from a gentleman Of
his credited intelligence and self
assumed patriotism. He repeated
the ''if bribery" hypothesis, attempt
I'd to ridicule Gen. Jones for his SER
vices as a confederate soldier, when
while Genl Jones, a mere boy, was
doing all he could, Mr.. Pearson was
at home resting quietly in the lap Of
luxury. Mr.. Pearson denounced
the late democratic convention, de-
nounced those delegates from Ashe-
vile who voted for Mr.. Gudger's
nomination, repeated his statement,
which has become stale, about
pledges of Genl Jones and Mr.. Gud-
ger; and such other things which,
while showing personal enmity,' y
on his part, failed to show his own
claims to the suffrages of the people.
He said distinctly that he was in
favor of repeating the county govs
eminent system for Buncombe, but
not for the east. Mr.. Pearson re-
ceived much applause.
Gen1 Jones followed. As he arose
he was greeted with deafening ap>
tplause, continued for some time.
He discussed the issues of the can
vass, explained his record and ex-
posed Mr.. Pearson's hypocrisy and
efforts to deceive in very strong
and effective terms. He spoke
as a true straight democrat, nomi-
mated by the democratic farm
ers of Buncombe county. He
preferred another should be NOM
mated, but these people who
had honered him before demanded
again his services and he had con-
sented. and would assist in carry
ing the democratic banner again to
victory.
The exposure of Mr.. Pearsonls
charge that he, Jones, deserted him
on the occasion of the little skirm-
ish with Mr.. McAden, was scathing,
and oughtto have made Mr.. Pearson
blush for shame. Genl Jones said
he was Mr.. Pearson's friend in that
matter stood by him and did for him
what Mr.. Pearson desired him
to do, and what any other courage
Gus man would have had him do,
to protest to the House of Represen-
tatives using its powers to vindi.
cate him against the attack of one
other man.
Mr.. Pearson told him to do this,
and thanked ham for so doing, even
afterwards entrusting him, Jones,
with matter most delicate among
gentlemen. He admitted he was in
the army, fighting as best he could
and suffering hardships with the
other confederate soldiers, boy as he
was, but, where was Mr.. Pearson
then ? At home, in all the enjoyment
luxury and comfort, andafterwards
the first thing he did as an entrance
upon public life was to take Office
under Grant, during that period
when his, Pearson's, people at
thomes in the South were being
trampled under foot by soldiers by
order of Grant.
Gen1 Jones' speech was triumph
ant Vindication of himself his course,
his cause, his character, and the fre-
quent applause showed with what
effect upon the densely packed
house.
Mr.. Lon Wells, republican, was
then introduced gracefully by Gen.
Jones, and though there was not a
great deal of argument in his dis
cussion, he kept the house in an up
roar by his clever Witticisms and
shrewd distortion of party records.
Lon made an earnest Iappeal to re-
pubicans to stand by his colleague
Mr.. Pearson. He was earnest in his
appeal.
Mr. .Gudger arose amidst tremen>
dous applause, and he entered at
once into the record and the in
consistency of Mr.. Pearson. He
recognized Mr.. Wells as a straight
republican, who was working of
course for republican success; but he
had yoked himself with MIR.
Pearson, and had been trying to
break him IN, and now he, Gudger
was not surprised to hear him call
| ing out, Here we come, durn our
fool souls, cote for as somebody He
showed Mr.. Pearson sIWilful attempt
at deception by his effort to array
the county against the town in his
circuIaf relative to the proposed
amendment to the charter He