The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-03-09
Henry A. Wise.
\ correspondent Of DUBUQUE (Iowa) Herald
and Lti're>s gives the following graphic descriP-
zion Of Mr.. Wise's speech in Alexandria
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. Ali, 49,


lion Of Mr.. Wise's speech in Alexandria
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb All, 1855.
MEssns EpirnRs ~ heard Wise-Iienry A.
Wise last night about five clock, P NJ, |
took the ''Gtorge Washington" for AeNandria-
found her Crow drd-cabin, guard, deck. and lore
castle, with persous bound the same errand.
Tile canvass, the man. 4 bcii:irnism, Democracy,
Know. Nottingham, '.OId Virginia" were cussed
ard discussed on board in eli sorts Of ways by
al! sorts of p"opIe--miidIy and dy--but Wise
and Democracy were in the ascendant-know
Nothlngisn and AhottuniSm were at heavy
discount, and Od Nifg mia ne most glorious
cid Common wealth. in The world Saw one excl
ted Wise man bet $lOO TO $40 that Wise would
triumph. Got TO the ancient city-the base OF
know NothIng' operations tor the Southern
stronghold, about 6 O'clock. Took supper at City
Hotel good supper at tbat. Started with my
company for Liberty Hall, fine antique looking
building, blazing with gas light. Doors of Lee
ture Room, third story, not open--iipe hundred
people in the street, and the stairway TANNED
with one dense mass of men, from foot TO last
step, holding on to railing, to coat tails, to any.
thing that afforded hold. Great noise, haoo-
ing, shouting, laughing, cursing, josing, splitting,
and smoking. Put my loot on the lower step, the
55Oth man--grabbed coat tail, and was lowed
up at the rate OF q step a minuIe--got into the
Hall about half past SIX oclock--hat three corn
cred. coat minus buttons, pocket full Of amber,
toes sore, and bread basket considerably squashed
Jumped over the benches, craWed over two
men, who inquired what the hill was about, got
a good seat The stage, and stood up in it, to
what going Found the Hal! nearly
full, the door sill dsgorging into it, and general
scramble for seats. When the Hall was packed,
stairs still full and 2 O00 in the street. Monsrous
fuss the s!airs--cries al ego ahead '--couldn't
90 ahead, and couldn't 90 down. Shouting in the
street, crash went BENCH every body Jumped up,
and finding 1t not The floor. sat down again.
Man put pitcher OF water on the stand and turn
ed chair acknowledgement applause, which contjn-
ued for ten minutes. Cries OF "there he is
that's Wlse'-and the orator walked on the stage
with his friends. Tremendous cheering, renewed
time and again. Grave looking gentle man steps
forward and says: "FeIlow citizens, introduce
to you the Hon Henry A. Wise, the nominee Of
the Democratic party lo1 Governor OF the State
the able and fearless champion of Democratic
principles, and Of the rights and honor of Vir-
ginia."
Thunder is weak word to express the wild
roar that went up from 1000 tn oats. 1000 heeled
boots, 1000 hands, with any number Of Mount
Vernon ana Monticello canes, until the vaulted
roof echoed, the windows shook and the gas
flames 0arcd in storm. The MAN stepped TO
ken and almost oppressive succeeded. He began
by an alluSon 10 his fatisues and i'll health, and
appeal Mex to the courtesy and !orbearance Of
Nlrglnians. Next he alluded 10 his former ad-
dress to them, fourteen gears ago, when they run
in the I" District State ''-now they were in The
"Old Dominion" Then the goose plucked the
grass in their streets, there wharves silent
and were rapidly hurrying to decay. Now the
rattle and hustle of trade shook their pavements,
N sho;n lor
eloquent symbol of what that Remuneration to
the Mother State had done for them.
II alluded to the historical association of the
city spoke of her neighborhood to the Tomb Of
Washington, Of her next to the Capitol of the
Union, of her prospects IN the future, to the hope
Of Virginia in her, and the efforts for her. This
exordium delivered in his usual style, and with
an exhibition Of real feeling, brought down the
house, time and again, and won for him the atten-
ton Of the immensely crowded audience. | can
not undertake TO follow him through his speech.
| would as soon hope 10 follow the lightning that
leaps down from the heaven 5fo burn upon the
mountain summit, or the bird OF Jovc as he scars,
to The sun. In the glorious imagery, the sublime
thought and the gorgeous yet graceful eiocuii0n,
he resemb ed that emblem bird. In the whitening
scorn, the scathiDg SARCASM, the fierceness of his
denuncation he was like that eap!ng thunderbot.
For three hours did this remarkable man, by
the power of his matchess eICqucuce sway the
feelings Of that immense ,hrong, the waves are
swayed by the storm. AT times, all eyes
moist-again laughter rang throughout the hall
then the teeth were cIenched, and heavy breathing
told Of muttered curses upon whoever or whatever
he hurled his anathemas. | shall never forget il
as long as live. ] wouldn't exchange the mem
otv and the varied emotions Of those three hours
for those Of any year of my political history.
In part of his speech Ton the land system)
he spoke Of the g mt OF the west;'' and, sir,
western men never were more truthfully, feeling!y
and thrlIlngiy conpiimened. 1t went through
the crowd like electric shock-and cheers for
the gallant west shook the hall. The crowd cut.
side, as if in sympathy, took up the shout, and
deofenng roar Of voices came up from the street.
Mr.. Wise is about 4S or so years OF age, spare
built, feet IL inches high-light auburn hair
eagle grey eye, acquiline nose, and large express
sive mouth with thin, firm looking lips. His
voice is not strong, but he has fine command
over it, as we'll as his features, and his Kissing
whisper Of scorn, seemed 10 cool itself in every
ear, while his tones were pleasant in reasoning,
and deep and impressive n his flights Of fancy.
His forehead is not high, broad, nor pale
but, nevertheless, it is Enthusiastically inteec tual.
He was evidently not in good plight, end may
not have looked to me as he does III health. Ma.
son, Hunter, Dodge, Jones, Hem, Richardson,
and numerous other Senators and members were
present. Thousands went down, but few were
fortunate en0us to get seats. II o'clock found
US all at home. Were not this letter too long, |