The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-04-13

IL. q.
tcokaEsroypEscK OF THE RICHMOND pAIlY prspArcH
ASHLAND, Hanover county, April IL.
No moro bright and beautiful dag than the pre-.
seEs could have been vouchsafed to tho large par.
" OF elsizens. some 900 in number, who started
lfom Richmond, by special train. al 10 O'Clock
lhe rice up was in every respect pleasant. Among
the company were many of those venerable gen.
'emen who still revere the memory of their great
political apostle, HENRY CLAY, and who with aIac.
rity took advantage Of this opportunity to cele>
brate tie anniversary Of his birth, 10 conjunction
with the companions of his youth, at the noted
''5lashes of Hanover"
At some of the farm houses on the route, the
ladies saluted the passing train by waving their
handkerchief, and one, more ardent than the rest
made good use of table cloth, con tnuing to wave
1t In the air until the cars were out of sight
ACCIDENT.
On arriving at Ashland, at IL O'Clock, we found
q considerable number of people assembled. Just
at this moment disaster occurred which played
the mischief with good portion of the arrange.
nents, and occasioned some CONSERVATION among
the passengers. The train stopped with sudden
shock, and the locomotive {"Thos sharp,") lay oil
its beam ends in ditch, snorting and putting, but
powerless to extricate itself from the mud in
which it was imbedded. The engineer (Crowder)
says that he saw, some twenty yards distant from
the spot, that the switch was misplaced, and would
have observed it in time to stop the train, had not
a number of persons been walking on the track
ahead.
The engine was completely thrown off, and the
tender partially. The engineer and fireman es-
capped injury by jumping. 1t is impossible to
state the extent of damage. The iron.work of
the locomotive is somewhat bent, but the speed of
the ia n having been slackencd, general smash
up was prevented.
As matter of course, many opinions are ex-
pressed about the cause of the disaster. It is
probably attributable to the negligence of the ne
proes who had been employed in hauling timber,
and had forgotten to replace the switch Still, an
accident of this kind, occurring in broad daylight
when the approaching train could be seen some
miles distant, must have been occasioned by gross
carelessness.
ton, to bring down Messrs. GoGdIN and LETs HER
which ia now impossible. An express, however
has been sent thither by the mditre dc cere8ionie
THOMPSON, and the GuberDatorial candidates will
probably come down on a haud-car. This is some>
thing of "lalling off" in the sublimity of the ar.
raugements. Can't do any better, however; great
men have been reduced to more humble modes of
locomotion than a hand-car.
The "speaking" is to take place at the race track.
Henry Myers is there, prepared tn dispense
comforting beverages to the multitude, and am
informed that the arrangements for "feedng'' are
au'ple.
People are coming in from the surrounding coun-
try, and We anticipate a large gathering. While
'waitipg for the wagon" various modes of recrea-
tion resorted to- and the scene at Ashland is
altogether pleasing.
One O'clock, p. M-Auother special train from
Richmond has arrived, bringing large number of
passen gers-among them Hon. John s. Caskie and
Hon. John NJ Botts. Mr.. Dejarnette has been ber e
all the morning, also, Col. Chastain White and
Williams c. Wickham, and eleCtioneering is pro-
crossing briskly. The midday sun pours down
the most oppressive heat, the excitement of the
people is worked up to high pitch, under the
potent influence.
Three Ocloch.--A special train started for the
Junction after the mail train went down, and has
jast returned, bringing Mr.. Goggin, but not
Mr.. Letcher 1t is understood that the last named
gentleman has gone to Alexandria, to fulfil an ap.
pointment. Mr. Goggin WAS welcomed with loud
cheers by his political friends.
THE SPEECHES.
After dinner, a throng assembled around the
principal stand at the race track, and previous
the arrival of Mr. Goggin, brief speech was ade
by Mr.. Robert Ridgway, in compliance with calls.
When Mr.. Goggin came upon the stand, he was
yociferou5ly cheered. lie said that he merely
came there to participate in the celebration OF
Clays birth day-not TO make political speech
that his competitor had gone to Washington, and
his own eXertions in the canvass had been 80 ar.
duous that he required brief period of rest
A I0ice-"Stand up, and let Us see you"
Mr.. GOggR-You must be satisfied with look.
| think am quite as good looking as my oppo~
nent though neither of us can brag of much in
that respect. Laughter
The speaker then paid highly wrought tribute
to the memory of Henry Clay-gave a brief mar
ration of the electiOneeripg canvass, and closed.
Mr.. VIM. Giimer, of Albemarle, spoke next. He
WAS exceedingly enthusiastic-said the spirit was
rolling on-the prairies we're on fire-and he felt
assured that if the Opposition did their duty, bis
friend Goggin would be triumphantly elected
Governor.
Calls were then made for various gentlemen, but
the name of "Csskie" predominating, Hon. John S.
Caskie came forward aud eulogized the personal
character and public services of Henry Clay, bnt
declined making political speech.
Mr.. Dejarnette followed very briefly. Both he
and Mr.. Caskie had agreed that the day should be
devoted to a discussion between the Gubernatorial
candidates, and it was not his purpose to deliver
an address On the present OCCASION
Mr. 7 Daniel next made political speech,
warmly advocating the election of MIR. Goggin,
and making some allusion to the District Senate
rial contest between Messrs Chastain White and
Williams Wickham.
Messrs White and Wickham briefly addressed
the audience, declining to make set speeches, but
promising to meet in discussion hereafter.
The closing speech was made by Mr. L W Taze,
we'll.
The proceedings throughout were constantly
interrupted by individuals who had been steaming
too higly; yet, with one trifing exception, there
was nothing of belligerent character.
So far as the assembling of a large crowd goes,
the celebration has been eminenty successful; but
in respect to the speeches We hear general ex.
preston Of disappointment.
to speak at Louisa Court House to-morraw.