Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-06-25
COL LUcAs,s SPEECH.

e1Sho - % kk(h.
The following speech, delivered By Col. Z
L,e.s, at the late dinner at shepheristowp
we copy from the Chariestown Argus;
FsLLow-GsrirxSs:-Deeply pene-
tsated by this new evidence of Won,
friendship and esteem. tender YOU
my heartfelt acknowledgements for
the distinguished honor you are this
day comforting upon me, conscious
tina, It is not justified by any merit, or
abilities, ] may possess.
Under any circumstanccs-morce s.
pccially under such rs I have been
called rpon to act. the highest reward
Of public servant, is the appreciation
OF his constituents. This, it has been
my good fortune 10 receive. greatly
cHhanced by the warm, generous, and
Jealous support given me. by NV
Democratic citizens Of the dis.
tnct, the recollection Of which shall
long be cherished with pride and graft.
tudc.
We arc met here, fellow-citizens
Tor the purpose Of in.crchang;ng graf.
sla'ions, and commemorating the sue
ccss OF The Democratic party, in the
late elections; and, I may be permit
ted TO say, the day and the spot select.
eel Tor the occasion are most sppropri-
atc-They recall incidents and remi-
niscences Of thrilling interest. During
our revolutionary struggle, and early
IN the spring Of rs, as is known 10
most, If not all ofyou, General WASH
ington selected Hugh Stephenson and
Daniel Morgan, To command two
companies of riGe-men-thc quota
Virginia had been called upon 10
furnish. And such was the patriotic
feeling IN this part Of "the Ancient
Dominion" even then, that two CON-
panies were Immediately raised by
voluntary enlistment-one al Winchcs-
ter, and Sother at Shepherdstown,
composed OF the flower Of the coun-
try. They turned out for twelve
months-fnrnished their own rifles and
equipments, and marched, at a shor,
notice, to Boston, then invested by the
enemy in considerable force, in TWEEN.
ty one days.
And, at this spot upon tlis rery day,
sixty years ago, this Shepherdstown
company assembled for the purpose OF
organizing. and partaking of barbc-
cue, given them by Colonel Morgan,
the relative Of the present worthy pro
Prietor within my eye; on which oc-
casion, an orrdngemeni iras made "that
the survivors, Of those then present,
should meet at this spring, and upon
hiS day, fifty years 70 come" This
engagement was fulfilled by two only,
Of the then FIVE surviving patriots, out
OF ninety seven-Major Henry Bedin.
ger,of Berkeley, and his brother, Col.
Michael Bedinger, Of Kentucky. The
other three-the lamented Judge
White, Of Winchester, Judge Hulse
and General Finley, Of Ohio, were
prevented from attending, by old age
and infirmity; and they are since called
from among us.
| had the honor of making one Of
the large company present, at this
scmi-centennial, or 50year celebration.
IN 1923, and regret that time will
not permit me to give you a minute
detail OF the tolls and suferings endur-
ed by a portion Of that band Of patri-
ots-the first, believe, to take up
arms and cross the Potomac in the war
OF the Revolution. I cannot omit,
however, to express the high gra.ifica-
ton feel at seeing here to-day, one of
those gallant spirits, Of whom have
been speaking, hoEoring US with his
presence--at the head of our festive
board--suTrounded by some OF the
sons, grandsons, and great grandsons,
OF those VINO served with him in that
memorable Campaign, and suffered
with him incarceration on board Of
British prison ships" I allude to
Major Bedinger, whose services as an
ofhcer during the Revolution, and uni
form support Of Democratic principles,
ever since, entitle him to oar warmest
gratitude. He is now in his eighty
second year-emphatically patriot and
rhig of '76--not self styled wing
Of modern stamp.
There are in fact, fellow citizens.
and there never have existed i'm this
country, but two paIties--no matter
what new names may be assumed
Federal and Republican; and these
sprang up about the time Of the adop-
ton Of the Federal Constitution. Al
exander Hamilton had the credit Of be-
ing the leader Of the former, and
Thomas Jefferson Of the latter. The
term FeCieyahst, was originally used TO
designate the advocates for a general
convention from the several States. Tor
the purpose Of remodeling the articles
Of the old confederation or forming
Federal Government.
Thomas Paine claimed 20 be the
first suggester of the idea, in l7S3.
and, in this sense Of the term, 10 be the
first F'eiersiisf. And. truly, in this
sense, Washington, Jefferson, Nal. con
and al, we're Fcderalists-so said Mr..
Jefferson in his inaugural address
ave are ell Federalists. all RepubE-
cans" The frst regular railying Of