The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1912-09-11
Ayers Inspiring Battle-call.

'ouOiii vi TIC NTH
district Democrats in nominal.
ing General Ayers for Congress
the address delivered by their
candidate at Marion Monday
would handsomely answer the
purpose. 1t was really a great
speech. In embodied an able
clearcut, fearless discussion Of
national political issues as
viewed from the standpoint of
patrioticism and Democratic
doctrine, and with admirable
precision defined the copvic.
lions, principles and standards
Of the Democratic nominee
entirely plain is it, from his
Marion speech that Rufus A
Ayers has not only n mastery
intellectual grip upon mutton.
al Democratic position, and the
Ills with which the American
people are beset az result of Re.
publican rule, and the present
need for remedial policies. but
that if elected to Congress he
may be relied upon as one of
the strong, constructive forces
there, in the work of writing
the redemption of Democrats
pledges upon the book of duly
enacted legislation.
The most impressive feature
of General Ayers speech, how.
ever, has to do with the illegal
use of money in elections. It
presents the evil us indicating
a highly important Issue in the
campaign. 1t relates the prac.
tice directly to the congression.
al fight i'll the Ninth, and in
bold, frank, fearless fashion
places the Democratic candi-
date upon record as an uncom.
promising foe to any and all
methods having tendency to
debauch the ballot and degrade
IN n h o d. General Ayers
makes it distinctly understood
that he will use no money in
the campaign for unlawful pur-
poses. He will not consent to
it's use by others. He infinitely
prefers defeat with honor to
success with dishonor. Ard
he prays that his friends will
respect his views-that they
will so proceed that at the CON
clusion of the campaign naught
of discredit can be laid at the
door of his management. That's
a strong, virile, manly, coura-
geous position-nnd twould be
discouraging indeed to think
that it will not be earnestly en-
dorsed by the electorate of the
Ninth Virginia district. In this
respect, General Ayers asserts
no new view. He states con-
victions which he has always
held, and purposes which he
has always sought to promote.
a word of personal remini-
scense just here will perhaps be
pardoned.
In 1894, the late lamented
Henry S. K. Morrison, broth
in in-law OF Gen. Ayers, was
nominated by the Democrats as
their Congressional standard
bearer. The writer of this edi-
torial, then a resident of the
Ninth District and actively in
terested in its politics, had oc.
casion in the early days of that
campaign to make q speech in
Judge Morison's behalf before
e meeting at which Gen. Ayers
happened to be present. After
the crowd had dispersed Gen.
Ayers sought us out, did us the
honor of commencing our re-
marks, expressed the hope and
wish that we would repeat the
same del;yerance in every coun-
ty of the Ninth, and insisted
upon defraying b expenses
that would thus be rendered
necessary. Very forcibly do
we recall what he added on
that occasion. Although deeply
interested in Judge Morison's
campaign; although then man
of large means, yet speaking to
us in the utmost confidence and
privacy, he said he wished to
expend money to insure Demo
cratic success only in q manner
that was absolutely free from