Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-09-05

GIVE copy the following letter purport-
ing to give some account of The Rally Of the
Wings OF Augusta, from the Rockingham Re-
CUSTER oil Saturday last, in order to CRAFTY a
wish expressed by many Of our readers to see
IL, and who may NOT have an opportunity Of
doing so in any other way.
who the imag NATIVE genius is that has thus
SO successfully imposed his bald fiction upon
the too easy credulity of the Register, SO far
at least as the wicked Wings are concerned, of
whom il would seem it is ready to believe a
ny thing-is as yet probably unknown. We
would advise him, however, that If intended
us hoax, (and we can hardly conceive of
mind so base as to utter such things for truth,)
although he may be innocent IN intention, il
IS exceedingly wrong to indulge such n pro-
pensity, where the character OF individuals or
communities may be affected by it. And as
proof Of the business Of this remark, we refer
him to the obvious influence his tale has had on
the editor Of the Register-for grossly imrro-
bable aud eX,ravaganlly false aud slanderous,
'ashe doubtless tried 10 make his statements.
the writer will see that they were readily re-
'ceived as true by the innocent mind OF the ed
I itor of the Register
STAUNToN, Aug. 90, 1871.
Messrs. Editors In haste drop you line
concerning the great Wing Rally of Augusta,
which took place to-day. Ii is not my intention
to give particular minute account of this
great attempt at deceiving and humbugging the
people, but merely to let you know that such a
gathering had taken place. 1t was expected by
our Wing friends that great number, 10 or 49,
600, would be present-but 10! all counted, men,
women and children, their number did not exceed
O0!-some say only 1900; but giving them
the very highest estimate, it would not exceed
$500. In the procession which they formed, even
:. counting the ftco which carried by
y them, there were but 563! So much for their
numbers.
OF all disgusting and disreputable displays,
this took the lead Decency had no claims upon
them, morality dropped her head in sorrow, phil
osophy paused, and religion stood aghast yea
the forms OF religious worship assumed,
and made to serve the unholy purposes of infuria-
ted, infatuated, and fanatic politicians. The Clay
Clubs OF the county met and marched through the
streets, each having its ''glee club" representing
the choir Of Church, who would alternately per-
form the services of devout worshppers and the
niggardly scenes OF The cir,us.-Conduct such as
this had never before been witnessed i'm our town.
and it was truly shocking to the moral and re-
ligous feelings of all worthy citizens and mark
II, that 1t will tell against those, who endea-
voring by such means, to elect man destitute of
political honesty, and possessing moral charac-
ter backened by every species of guilt.
When they assembled at the grove, speeches
were made by Watkins Leigh and John Janney,
the former proving clearly TO the crowd that he
was in his dotage, and the latter succeeded i'm
making at least convert TO Democracy, or as the
Wings say, Locofocoism. have nothing to say
OF these speeches, except that they have made
some Wings TO WAIVER and to doubt, and al the
same time engineering the Democracy in their
attachment to their principles.
After the parade of the day, they assembled at
the Court House in the evening" and then were
enacted some OF the most disgusting scenes.
Singing songs, yelling and whooping like men
either drunk with liquor, or driven TO madness by
hellsh desperation, formed a part of the nights
proceedings. Speeches were made by several,
and ONE in particular, who sprung from the tenth
legion. He endeavored to be amusing, but made
, himself ridcu!ous--he tried to gain applause by
J abusing his own county, but received censure
from all,-he endeavored 10 make fun of his
coun,ymen, but made laughing-stock of HIM
self, and now ask the Democracy of Rocking
ham to remember that Col. Gray, endeavored
to gain for himself laurels by robbing them Of
their good name.
There was another rare genius present from
your town; certain songster, commonly called
Joe Efnger, who made himself amnsingly ride
ulous for the edi6ca,on OF the crowd. 1t is GER
tainy glorious work and employment to ira
verse the country in the occupation of "fun-ma-
Kerr for factions. However, will do him the
Justice 10 say, that think he has not missed his
calling.
So much for the first days proceedings of the
far from doing themselves good, they have dis
gusted many very many of the good citizens Of
the county who formerly acted with them, but
will do no more.
Time VIII not permit me to say more, but /
will give you full and detailed account of
this great show at early day. y. x.