Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-10-23
FIELD DAY
FOR REPUBLICANS
Democrats Decline Challenge for Joint
Discussion.
GILLESPIE, BAILEY, BROWNING SPEAK.
All the Speeches We're Splendid and Made
a Profound Impression on an Enthu-
Siastc and ResOlute Audience.

There was a large gathering Of the citi
zens of Tazewell county on Tuesday, court
day. 1t had been announced that both
the Republicans and Democrats would
have able speakers here to represent their
respective parties.
Early in the day II. G. Mccall, county
chairman of the Republican party, sent a
written challenge to the chairman Of the
Democratic party for joint debate be
tween two Republican and two Democratic
speakers. That challenge stated that the
Republicans had the day and the court
house but would be pleased to have a
joint debate. 1t might have been added,
as was afterward demonstrated, that the
Republicans had the crowd more than two
to one. This challenge was responded to
by Thomas Lynch who told Mr.. Mccall
the Democrats declined to have joint de-
bats and that written response to the
challenge would be sent, but we have
never seen it if it was sent. We are, there
fore, unable TO state what reasons they
had for declining, but have the impression
that the Democratic speakers were afraid
to meet ours on the living issues now be-
fore the people. 1t is true Mr.. K. T, Irv-
ing, while speaking said, that he was not
afraid to meet our speakers, and he is an
orator. But MIR. Irwin is also familiar
with the old saying, that:
"He who fights and runs away,
Will live to fight another day."
Perhaps the Democrats thought it would
be lowering his senatorial dignity for Hon.
Thomas Martin to engage in a joint de.
bate with Hons. A. P. Gillespie, David
Bailey, or Col. ]. S. Browning. These
men are more than bis peers in any way,
and have never been charged by their
own party associates, as has Senator Mar
tin, with debauching Democratic Legis
lature to secure seat in the L. S. Senate.
About one O'Clock the Republicans went
into the court house and shortly after that
hour Hon. A P. Gillespie was introduced
to the audience which filled the court
room, every seat being taken and the
aises filed with persons standing. Mr..
Gillespie spoke only about twenty minutes,
devoting his time to discussion of the
work of the Constitutional Convention
and the new Constitution. His speech
was very strong one, AID as he exposed
the rottenness of the whole convention
movement and depicted the outrages that
had been inflicted by the new suffrage law
and the recent registration, every honest
mind present must Lave been impressed
with his denunciation of the foulest politi
cal iniquity that has ever been visited
upon a free people.
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Gillespe's
speech Hon. David Bailey took the stand
and discussed State and National issues
with force that has rarely been equaled
In our court house. He held the audience
attentive listeners for more than an hour
and a half, his splendid humor, striking
figures and telling logic winning round al
ter round of applause from the cfowN,
After Mr.. Bailey had concluded the
band began to play, and many persons
thinking the speaking was over left. If
they had known the treat that was in store
for them they would not have gone. Col.
Browning took the stand ana made ring.
ing, forcible speech. He devoted his re-
marks chiefly to local politics and the new
Constitution. He was bitterly severe in
his criticism of the Virginia Democracy
and the work that has been done under
the recent registration in this county. He
was especially severe on the work OF the
registrars in Pocahontas and in Clear Fork
District, aud from his statements and
those made by others his remarks on that
line were fully justidable.
AS we have said before the speeches
were all very fine and we have never seen
crowd more favoraby impressed than
the one present. There was stern re-
solve written on the face of every one to
do everything in his power to redeem Vir.
gina from the control of perfdlous and
corrupt Democracy.