The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-10-26
Discussion Between Hon. John E

Discussion Between Hon. John E.
Massey and Rev. Sam Jones.
STAUNToN, Va, Oct. 23.-Although
raining steadily all the forenoon, u
crowd of about one thousand persons
listend for three hours to the joint de-
bate between Hon. John E. Massey and
Rev. Sam Jones, representing the dem
ocratic and prohibition parties, respects
lively, here to>dav Preparations had
been made for the debate in a grove,
but, owing to the weather, this was
abandoned, and the speakers occupied
the portico of the county courthouse,
the crowd standing around in driz>
zling rain By the terms arranged each
speaker had an hour for opening and
half-hour rejoinders, Massey opening.
Mr.. Massey in his opening speech de.
clared his lifelong abstinence and de-
votion to temperance principles on
every occasion, but he did not consider
prohibition an issue in this campaign.
He enumerated the important duties
&c yolving upon the next Legislature and
urged the selection of an experienced
MN for State Senator. He review
ed the record of Mr. Echols, democratic
candidate for re election, eulogizing him
warmly aid holding him up as man who
had never taken drink and who voted
for the local-option law. His influence
in the Legislature was contrasted with
Mr.. Bodley's, (the prohibitionist,) who,
if elected, would be alone in that body.
He defended the national Democratic
party from responsibility for existing
evils and reviewed its record for achieve
ments in State affairs. In concluding
Mr.. Massey warmly endorsed the dem
ocratic legislative candidates, eulogized
the people OF Augusta and warned them
against the danger and results of dem
ocratic disintegration. During his
speech he was several times interrupted
but found ready and effective responses
that aroused loud applause.
Mr.. Jones, being introduced declared
himself not only a teetotler but prohi
bitionist, land illustrated his position and
Massey's by laughable anecdote. He
had also been democrat for many years
and still stood by the good in the old
party, but he now thought more of So
briefly than anything else. Mr.. Jones'
address was literally interspersed with
characteristic anecdotes that kept the
audience laughing. His only argument
was the one that ran through his speech
viz, that liquor is an evil which prohi-
bition aims to overthrow. 1t was the
duty of Christians and good citizens to
oppose it and to support the prohibi'
| ton candidates because they were OPP
posed to it. He criticised Mr.. Massey's
political changes and character zed him
as now a demijohnerat. Mr. Massey, he
declared had given him nothing to ans
swer, and, bringing in an anecdote, the
speaker applied it to him saying: "He
amt bit nothing to-day, just running
around and SOLDERING" In his hnmor
GUS way he referred to Brother" Mas
sey as in his dotage Taking out hii
watch, Mr.. Jones said he would answer
everything he had said about the dem-
ocratic party in one minute, and aroused
applause by remaining silent till thu
minute elapsed. In conclusion he paid
a warm tribute to Mr.. Bodley's charac-
ter
Mr.. Massey in his rejoinder expressed
sorrow that Mr.. Jones' stock of ance.
dotes had run out before his hour, adj
ding that many went to the show to SCI
the monkey. Replying to his opponents
criticism of him as a temperance leader
he declared that his seventy five years
had been devoted to the cause, while
his opponent. who was but forty-six, ha6
been Incorporate for more than half hi
life. He referred to Mr.. Joness' speech
as "buffoonery from paid attorney.
| Mr.. Jones had said much of goodness
but he used most ungodly language.
Mr.. Jones began his rejoinder by read
ing pointed expression OF Massey
temperance views amid loud applause
declaring it the prohibition platform
AS to his own language in the pulpit, HI
never said anything that was not in thu
Bible Mr.. Massey had sworn out as {
preacher and was living on State pap
He denied being paid to come here. ani
characterized Massey and Echols az
Pharisees. Many other sharp thrusts
at each other were made by both speak
ers, but all were good naturally giver
and taken.