Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-10-25
NORFOLK IN A. LAzE-BENJ. JOHNSON BARBOUR,


from the Norfolk Herald for an explanation of the
caption OF this. We felt sure that Mr.. Barbour
would create sensation wherever he might hap
pen 10 address an audience, and we find we were
not mistaken. 1t is almost as agreeable to listen to
him, rs TO read novel well written, and that
we take to be among the mos, exquisite of all en-
Richmond Whig.
FROM THE NoRroL X HERALD MoSpAY.
Never have we seen such commotion in an au-
dicnce as that which witnessed in Ashland Hall
ON Friday night. IL will be borne in mind that the
Hon. MIR. Stuart of Augusta was announced in the
morning papers TO deliver address that evening;
but OH the arrival of the steamer from Richmond,
great was the disappointment of The Wings 10 learn
that he had not arrived. A Mr. Barbour, it was
then gwen out, would deliver the address. But
that Was not satisfactory 10 the Whiggery of our
good city who had set their minds upon hearing Mr.
Stuart; and they expressed their disappointment
audlbiy Al long;h the enquiry was startled
"Who is this Mr.. Barbour !'--Ths led to the dis
closure that he was the sou of the late Gov Bar
bour, and gentleman Of the finest order of talents
as p@Sc RsafSs Setter NSdM Sng & asn j" VI
,eemed in his day, by the people of Norfolk than
Gov. Barbour; and sentiment of respect for the
SON Nhough an entire stranger for the sake of the
la'ier, Tor whom all good Wings entertained
ieeiing OF veneraton, began senSiby to soften the
roughness OF disappointed expectation, though still
/ an expression would now and then be heard Of re-
gret That Stuart could not come i'm his place As
me hour OF meeting approached the Indications of
ram seemed adverse TO full assemblage. and those
VINO ieit deep interest in that matter We're not a
h'e mortified at the prospect of failure in getting
up such meeting as was worthy of being address
CD oy distinguished speaker from abroad How
ever, the result different from what was feared
me spacious hall was we'll iilled-we may truly
say .'crowded.'
At7h o,cIncI, n.sl....-
citizens who had called at his lodgings at Walters
Ci,y fotel, during the evening" entered the hall.
anu was introduced TO the meeting by the PRESIDING
officer, Thomas e. Tabb, Esq. in very handsome
address.
:, And now it becomes us TO speak outright as to
'ne com notion' to which we referred i'm the be-
ginning OF this article.
vi the hundreds who had assembled on this occa-
SON. there was probably not one who had ever
hcara Mr. Barbou. speak, and expectation was moi
oAcited ny the quie. manner, and imperturbabe
Cast Oh countenance which he exhibited at the COM
mencenent OF his speech. His voice. though clear
ana distinct, was not musical, nor susceptible OF
s'NNing translons-in short, all calculation on
nearing from HIM fine oratorcal flourish seemed
al 'auH. Bat he had not spoken five minutes be-
otc ne succeeded in fixing the attention and inter
cs' oi inc audience, as by charm; and as he pro-
ceeded they We're made acquainted with his powers
VI eiocs''On and argument; and the modest and I'M
assuming MIR. Barbour stood before them one of the
most able, effective and fascinating speakers whom
'hey had ever lslenedto 10. One who thnurh youno.
was deeply read in the intrcacies Of human char
ac'o' and In the lore Of the classics, the records of
history, and the pages Of miscellaneous literature
ne discussed the system of conventions and plat
forms, and the charlatanical appliances by which
'iie democratic party have obtained and maintained
tiieir ascendency -reviewsd the administration of
MI FOLK, and The public characters and acts Of his
satellites, the Ben,ons, the Cases, the Pillows.
GE MIC t,,Nh
hekaiions-the war and lis consequences, in a STYLE
WhIch we cannot hesitate to characterize as master
"hue me whitening sarcasm, the bitn satire
and well deserved ridicule which were not iDudi
c'ously mingled with his criticism, were not I'm
worthy of the genius Of Swift or a Smollet. and
which KEEP! the audience in continued rner,ment
during the whole Of his speech The ''nose''
might have disturbed Gen. Cas-, had he been pres
emf but there was no Confusion" with it, We
never saw meeting more harmonious. His hits
Told In every sentence and touched the risble chords
with thrilling effect Wirl's description of poor
,jchnny Hooks defeat by Patrick Henry is auob-
able enough; but 1t does not give as happy touch
oil the !udlcrous the following:
Mf. barbour was remariiing on the peculiar mod
esiy CT our Democratic friends in claiming the au-
rels won by Scott and Taylor in Mexico as the
property of President Polk and Secretary Marcy
who made and conducted the war ..Durinp The
battle of Buena Vista, said Mr.. b., '.there was
fearful Crisis, and even the undaunted Capt Brauu
had lost all hope, when he saw the Mexican col
uHin rushing down like an avalanche. But sud
denly shout was heard-"Old lacks coming!''
and instantly, the American troops were insured
with 4 superhuman energy They scattered their
ices, and obtained GLORIOUS victory" "Now,"
said MI H., "let us suppose that instead of odd
Jack the cry of Polk and Marcy's coming!' had
been raised my word for it, it would have opera
ted on our army like the 'suave qui peu' at Water
loo; and instead Of victory it would have been
every man f;T himself, and the ID take the hind
most 20
Mr. Barbour held his audience in state of de-
hghtiul excitement for two hours and half. and
every one who heard him felt proud to recognise
HIM as son Of the Old Dominion
mf. Barbour was accompanied by r.. G.. Stanard
Esq, and both OF them on their way and de
parted next morning for Hampton, TO address the
wing mass meeting in that town, which took place
on Saturday.