Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-23
PUBLISHED DAILY AND TRI-wEEKLY BY
EDGAR SN0WDEN.
ALEXANDRIA,:
MONDAY MORNING, MAY 90, 1852.

Liberty Hall, to hear an address on political
subjects, from WALTER PRESTON, esq. the
Wing candidate for Attorney General of the
State. The audience was one of the largest
and most attentive We ever saw assembled
in this city, and high as were the expecta-
tions of the people, we venture to say. there
was hardly man in the crowd, who did not
have them fully realized in the brilliant dis
play of eloquence on the occasion. Mr..
Preston, though not in good health, and
weak in body, has the fire Of genius burning
ss brightly. and the intellect as clear, as if
they were supported by the most robust ply
steal constitution.
Mr.. PRESTON was introduced by Mayor
Massey; and made graceful preface to his
speech. He disclaimed any intention of
speaking harshly of, or denouncing the mass
of his fellow-citizens who were Democrats.
lie would speak only of the leaders of the
party who were directing the affairs OF the
government, and to them he would refer
with the severity, which he thought their
evil political deeds merited
He then took up, and exposed, with
ability and vigor, many of the corruptions
that have prevailed and been countenanced,
under the present Administration. He pro-
nounced the Administration as worse than a
failure, and he declared that the President
had forfeited his pledges. and gone in the
face of his own recommendations previous
to his election. He spoke with whitening
scorn of the attempts made to convert the
Navy Yards at Philadelphia and Brooklyn
into places where the public money could be
used for political purposes--of the jobs and
frauds which had been brought to light in
the bestowal of government patronage. &c.
He argued from all this. that change was
necessary, and that other men should be
placed at the head of affairs.
He then took up the reasons why MIR.
Letcher should not be elected Governor
tried him by the Democratic rule which had
been applied to Geo. W. Summers. and
charged home upon the Democratic party
their inconsistency and injustice in this mat
ter-criticised severely Mr.. Letcher's course
with regard to several of his votes in Con-
gress-and commented at length upon MIR.
LIS. doctrine as to forcing the people to pay
the revenue in gold and silver, when the
Banks suspend specie payments His re-
marks on this last head were particularly
impressive.
He concluded his speech with contrast
between the record and course of Mr.. Letch-
er and that Of Mr.. Goggin, and ferVid ap-
p cal to the people. upon this OCCASION to as
sist in returning the ship Of state to the old
course-to inaugurate anew the political doc
trines of such man as Henry Clay-and
to make now one more effort to revive and
re-organize great conservative national
party, designed to preserve the Union OF the
States, the Rights Of the States, and the
liberties, happiness. peace, and prosperity OF
the people.
We have purposely abstained in this brief
aud rapid sketch of the principal points OF
Mr.. Preston's speech, from even attempting
to give an idea of the beautiful displays OF
eloquence which glittered all through this
most admirable address. 1t would DO in
vain, because the thrilling tones of the ora
tor would not be heard, although they yet
linger in many hearts, and can hardly ever be
forgotten by those who heard them. APP
plause was frequently checked by the de-
sire not to lose one word Of what was sald'
but when it did come, it was hearty, sponta-
neous, and almost unanimous-and round
after round shook the hall throughout the
whole evening. Who was not sorry when
he closed?-Who would not willingly have
listened to him for hours longer without a
sensation of WEAKNESS? Undoubtedly, our
citizens have rarely been favored with such a
display of the abilities Of an orator and
statesman combined.
There were some passages of the speech
in which beautiful classical illusions, and
appropriate quotations from the English
dramatists and writer's, were introduced with
the happiest effect, showing the gentleman
of taste and education. And there were
others,-such, for instance. as the short trl-
butte to the memory of CLAY. and the pie-
ture of the kneeling muleteer In the gorges
of the Andes, as he turned his eyes to the
statue of the great assertion of South Amer,
can independence. which will be impressed
upon the memory as long as it lasts.
We have every reason to believe that MI
Preston's speech has had the best effect IN
this community, and that it has added to
the strength of the cause which he SO ably
advocated.
After Mr.. Preston concluded, Mr.. Robert
E. Scott, of Fauquier. Mr.. Chiffon, of Wash
inston, and Mr.. Dulany, Of Fairfax, were
called out, and responded in appropriate and
spirited speeches
The meeting then adjourned
The Maine Democracy invite Judge Doug
Las, SAYS q correspondent of the Philadelphia
Press ito attend their Convention, and bold