Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-10-04
Democratic Meeting.

DeM0cratlC MeetMS.
Quite Aa enthusiastic meeting Of the De-
mocfacy was held ct Union Hall, on Satur-
day night last. From the shortness of tn e
notice the attendance was not so large, still
the spacious Hall was tolerably we'll filled
with persons anxious to hear the cause of
the Union discussed. Col. Baylor was
called to the Chair, after which Mr.. F.
j. Alfred Qate editor of the Weston
Herald) was called upon to give his views
of the prospects of the Democracy i'll the
Northwestern part Of the State, and It
must have been encouraging to the Demo
eracy in old Augusta, tohear that the ranks
of the party were so rapidly filing up, in
the Twelfth Congressional District, now re-
presented by the lone star of Know Moth
ingisrn. Mr.. Alfred stated that the vote in
this District would be heavily increased up
on the Gubernatorial vote--large accessions
from the X n ranks being made to the
Democracy, in the counties of Lewis, Up
.shur, 'Gilmer, Calhoun, Harrison, Richie,
&C., whilst many old line Wings are sup
porting Mr.. Buchanan.
Mai. J. L. Peyton was then called
upon, and arose and delivered a most
powerful and effective speech. We would
be doing injustice to this eloquent champion
of Southern rights to give even an outline
of his remarks. We must be permitted to
say, that if reported, it would compare fa
vorably with the speeches of any in this i'm
portant canvass. His arguments were pow
erful-his reasoning cogent and conclusive
why the people--the aehole Southern people,
should support Mr.. Buchanan III prefer
ence to Mr. Fillmore, and must have forced
conviction upon the minds of those whose
prejudices were not so great as to Gtad them
against every thing but that which would
, lead to the defeat of the great national De-
mocratic party, now, the only party to which
We may safely look for peace, and for sue
cor in these times of peril. Major Peyton
spoke for near an hour, to an attentive asg-
dience, and the applause which the speaker
received testified how well the speech and
the speaker was appreciated. We hope Maj. t
Peyton's voice may often be heard in defence
of Southern rights, before this canvass
closes.
After Maj Peyton had concluded, W. s, I
II. Baylor, Esq. was called upon, who de-
clined speaking, then, SIS he said his voice
could not be heard, wErile the eloquent cham
pion of Democracy (Col. Harman) was in
the Hall-repeatod calls then brought Col.
Hartman to the stand, and we but reiterate
the expression of all who heard him, that it
was one of his best and happiest Efforts
Maj. Peyton having confined his remarks
principally to the discussion of the t@o COM
promises of 30, and that of 80, Col Har-
fl,sssi spoke not of these, but confined him.
self to a discussion of the merits Of the two
opposing candidates for Southern support.
He first took up Mr.. Fillmore's record, and
showed from his votes, and speeches, and
letters, that be still stood upon an anti
slavery platform, and produced the evidence
Of Mr.. F.'s friends, to prove that Fillmore
only signed the Fugitive slave law because
be was pledged not to use the veto power,
and that he did not sign the Till until after
he had got the opinion of his Attorney Gen
eral (Mr. Crittenden) as to its constitution
atty. He arraigned Mr. Fillmore upon the
authority of Mr.. Doneson, (now associated
oa the same ticket with him) as being un-
true to Southern rights. Col. Hartman chal-
lenged any of the Know Nothing orators to
meet him al discuss any of the questions
that are now being agitated, but the chal-
icnge was not then accepted, and we opme
never will be.
Col. II then spoke of Mr.. Buchanan, and
took up all the charges made against him by
the Know Nothings, and answered them by
evidence furnished either from Mr.. Buch-
anan himself, or By those who are opposed
to him, so effectuaily, so eoBelusively, that
it must have satisfied every one who heard
him, that much injustice has been done Mr.,
Buchanan, and that he has been foully ira
dueed
Col. II. concluded by calling upon the
audience, not as partisans, but as patriots,
to rally as one man around the standard of
the Democratic party,--the Union was in
danger, -toctioa was rfc-and the hope of
the patriot now rested upon the Democratic
party. Col. III. spoke for "a hour and a
half, and dealt his blows thick and heavily
We do not wonder that our neighbor of the
"spectator" thought the lights burnt dim
ly"-and that he was attending "wake,"
as argument after argument, proof after
proof, effectualty killed off the slanderous
charges against the great Pennsylvania
Statesman 1t was a arakiag up of the De-
mocracy, who, We kaow will give good
account of themselves on the day Of election.