Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-04-10
HARD FIGHTS In THE 9th.
Extract from ". Sect copeland's
Canvass Of the Southwest for
the Richmond News Leader.

the Richmond News Leader. /:
The Republicans nominated General
james A. Walker to oppose Judge Nor
rison and Walker won. General Walker
was Confederate veteran and had dis.
himself in war. The Con-
federates like him. and in spite of the
fact that he allowed his defeat for the
for attorney general in the
Democratic convention of 1885 to drive
him out of his party, many veterans,
regardless of party utilization, supt4rted
him. He and Judge Morrison met once
in joint discussion. buts there were no
personalities and Walkers record was
not attacked by his opponeat.
In the next campaign Walker was
again nominated by the Republicans
and Judge Samuel w. Williams was
brought out by the Democrats. But
the personal relationship between these
two was friendly and in their joint de-
bates, issues and not men were dis
cussed. Walker again won.
ENTER WILLIAM F. RHEA.
The Democrats then concluded that
the only way to beat Walker was to
bring out as their candidate man who
would assail Walkers record and such
candidate was found in Judge William
+. Rhea, for whatever may be said
against that much discussed man, his
Dernonal couroora x,,oc o-1s z, - l:-..1
Judge Rhea knew full well what was
expected of him. but he had been called
by his party to the fray sndhe responded
as to cali to arms. Il is reported that
before entering upon the campaign he
wrote his will. s1
Rhea's first public meeting with
Walker was at Pulaski and there are
many men here today who heard the
dramatic debate. Walker led Oft IN a
dignified speech, declaring at the outset
that he would not depart from his
custom, and would discuss issues, with
out descending to personalities. He
kept his promise in the opening speech.
IN his rejoinder, Rhea began by say
ing that ne too would discuss Issues, but
added that in this campaign there was
one Issue which overshadowed all others.
Then turning and pointing his finger to-
ward his opponent he remarked dramsti-
cally: "And that issue, General Walker,
is you'll
Those who heard him say that his ex-
posture of Walkers political record was
merciless and his denuncistion about "a
severe as parliamentary language would
permit. Throughout this entire speech
General Walker sat in grim silence.
never once interrupting the storm of
which burst from Rhea's
throat like fury from the cave Of the
winds. -4e,, ~"s,y.
But Walker was alsos man of COURAGE
and when his turn came he replied in
kind. Rhes made no protest until Walker
to the rumor that Rhea while
Judge Of the Bristol court had taken q
oribe in the Jordan case. "a ,-
Rhes then sprangto his feet with one
hand uplifted and the other in his pocket.
Walker commanded him to sit down,
,ut Rhea held his ground.
Walker finally stepped in front Of him
md Rhea, with q shove of his knees,
pushed Walker off the stand.
1t was thrilling climax to q situation
hat had already aroused the crowd to
he highest pitch of excitement. It is
aid that Walker attempted to draw a
Ieadiy weapon. It, is also said that
thea was prepared for any emergency.
Sc that as it may, Rhea denounced the
barge, from whatever source it came.
s an Infamous lie. and warned Walker
hat If he repeated it ever thereafter.
lie, Rhea. would write the hand of liar
pon his forehead. and the incident was
losed.
1t Is not pleasant to revive this un-
Iappy incident. 1t would be unpardon-
bic, il it were done merely to make q |
eadable STORY. It ia not done for that
'urpose. This is not q yellow journal
story" but narratives purpose
arrative. The purpose Ia to chow why |
nd how Rhes defeated Walker. after |
9th Morrison and Williams had failed. |
is further purpose is to account in part |
tleast for the popularity of William F.
'hea In the Ninth district. There was
n emergency. 1t demanded a man of |
on nerve and marked will to meet il.
demanded man of physical courage
III the truth must outs man who was
OF afraid to attack Walker, at the risk
his own life and accept the conse-
lences. There was q Goliath in the
mp OF the Phiiistines and there was
call for David and his sling. In the
illness of time David came and slune
$ shot and Goliath fell. Is it strange
'erefore, that the people in the other
mp should have shouted for the con-
leror! Is it strange that the womenl ,
ouid have sung ''Saul hath slain his
ousands and David his tens Of thous- .
ldsg"
The situation will be. clearer still
hen 1t is understood that General
alker had done much to arouse class
eJudice and when it is remembered
at with the sturdy mountaineer pecu.
r'y physical courage is esteemed a
eat virtue. In this respect human
ture is intensely known in the Ninth g
strict. w g Copr, 7
/ NOSSEc IA rnuaIrnv n,exn,~.