Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-10-20

WILSON AND GOFE FACE
EACH OTHER ON THE
GREAT PUBLIC QUESTIONS
OF THE DAY. AN IMMENSE AUDIENCE,
AND A RARE oRAToRIcAL TREAT.

Early Saturday morning, the peo-
pie began arriving in town. From
the beautiful groves of Back Greek
Valley, from village and hamlet, the
sturdy sons of Jefferson, Morgan and
Berkeley turned .out, to hear the
leaders of the two great parties dis
cuss the various issues that have di-
vided them. Every train brought
additions to the crowd, and by noon
the streets were damned, and still
the visitors flowed in. Promptly at
1890 O'Clock the doors of the Cen
trail Opera House swung open, and
the rush commenced. In half an
hour, the building "a large rink) was
comfortably filled, and when the dis
cussion opened, the people were
packed together, like sardines in
box. Many were turned away. The
stage was divided, each party pre-
sumably having an equal number of
chairs.
Wilson entered, preceded by Sen
ator Faulkner, and received hearty
recognition. Flick soon afterwards
appeared on the stage, and when his
burly figure was seen, deafening APP
plause ensued. Wisner met with
similar greeting. Shortly atterward
the calm and pleasant face of Golf
/ was seen, and he received an ovation
lasting at least three minutes. The
scene was one of life time. Two or
three thousand people, vast sea of
faces, of oil sizes, colors and express
sions body of statesmen and dis
tinguished citizens seated around the
speakers, and the two champions
sitting side by side, cool and collect
ed. On the stage were Hon E. B.
Faulkner, Hon. G. M. Bowers, Re-
publican candidate for State Audi
tor: Senator G. J. Faulkner; Hon. III.
G. McWhorter, Republican nominee
for the Supreme Bench; Buchanan
Schley, of Hagerstown; ex-Congress-
man Ben Wilson; Gen. w. III. H.
Flick, Republican candidate for Con-
gress in this district; Hon. j. Rufus
Smith. of Berkeley Springs; Messrs.
j. d. Butt and S. V. Yantis, ST., of
Harper's Ferry; Maj. ]. II. Bristor,
Messrs. Luther Miller, Alex. Parks,
Jr., G. w. Feidt, Stuart Walker, U.
S. Grant Pitzer and others.
Hon. w. l.. Wilson spoke first.
He is fine talker, erect in statue,
shrewd in facial expression, earnest
and cutting in making point, excit-
able and wild in gesturing and full of
eloquence. His first speech of J
hours was very able presentation of
democratic principles. He read CO.
pious extracts and citations and had
a number of books at hand. Every
point he made was loudly applauded.
He spoke well, indeed. Golf then
arose. His is fine figure-round,
jovial, serene face, piercing deep blue
eyes, erect and stalwart form. His
gestures are the very essence Of
grace. His language is eloquent and
flowery. For i hours he poured hot
shot into his opponent-first run
ming fire-then full salute-his elo-
quent words eliciting rounds of APP
plause. Wilson came back at him
in 90 minutes speech, pleasing all
who heard him Golf responded in a
crushing style. He made Wilson
admit he voted against the bill shat
would have given the direct war tax
back TO the people, and against the
Blair educational bill. 1t was bat
tie of strong minds, hand to hand
fight, a charge with bayonets. Meth
err should feel ashamed Of his ar
guments. Wilson is subtle and a bit
squirmish. Golf is eloquent and for
chile. We think Gof had the best
of the fight in argument and effect,
We cannot give a full account, but
do the best we can.
Mr.. Parks formally presented Mr..