Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-08-31
Opposition Meeting at August
Court.

Court.
The meeting Of the Oppostfca on Mon
day last was large and enthusiastic; aud
many Democrats mingled in the crowd to
lock on and enjoy the countenances of their
friends ofthe old Wing party. rendered hap
py, as is there went before an election, by
the decisive promises of their leaders of an
approaching triumph.
Hon. A. ri. III Stuart presided or the
occasion and led off in speech Of abcut Az
hour. Like all Of the efforts of Mr.. Stuart,
the speech was plausible and pleasant tc
hear. No harsh word greeted upon the ear
no discerdant note was sounded his
words as usual flowed sveety. Truly he
played upoa q harp of II Thousand strings
1.-THE Union, the Constitution and the Ea-
forcement of the Laws' WAS the theme 81
his eloauence, bat no one expected Mr.. s
to tell how the Union was to be preserved,
or to expound any vexcd question of Con-
stitutional Law, or to indicate what laws
were to be enforced or how, and nobody was
disappointed.
AS usual Mr.. Stuart prophesied Di
course everybody expected Mr. s. to prophe-
cy and eyer ybody knows no prophecy Of Mr..
S. has ever been fulfilled.
Capt. L. C. Darlington of Washington
City, was the aext Speaker and addressed
the audience at length.
Capt G. is a gentleman of 6ne character
aud talents and made the best of his cause.
His speech was ore Of "glittering generali-
ties" bat abounded with wit, hnmor and
fne passages. He, like Mr. Stuart, ignored
everything like argument, and whilst he was
very entertaining, can scarcely have been
thought even by his party friends, cenvia-
cling. We were especially amazed at sly
hit given by the gallant Capt. to Mr.. Stuart,
which we are sure will be appreciated by oar
readers, who know the latter gentleman
we'll. Mr.. S. had made his usual 1estter;xg
appeal to the patriotic Democrats to unite
with him in saving the Union and had ALA
ded most feeltngly to the dissentions 10 our
party. Capt. G. whilst speaking On the
same subject, (the dissentons of the Dcmoc-
racy) turned with an inimitable air to Mr.
S. and said, II too, fellow citizens, like your
distinguished Chairman, might shed few
crocodile tears over the Democracy."-
We observed the laugh 60 round amongst the
''unterri6ed" and were satisfied .'croco-
die tears would be unavailing to swerye
them from their allegiance to the old Demo
cratic Flag.
Col. Baldwin came next in the pro-
gramme; and the Col. having at last conclu-
ded "to quit the honest calling Of the Law,
to engage in the dirty trade of politics" Eve
quote from memory and may not give the
Coils. exact words came forward and gave
his friends slashing speech. The Col. did
not pretend to shed even crocodile tears
tears being entirely out Of his line. In
stead, however, he gave US curses loud, deep
and long
The Col. smashed all the crockery, in
the Democratic Pantry. and most unfeeiag-
ly tore to peices the hickory shirts of all
''the unwashed and uncombed." But the
Co.'s. raving, had no other effect upon either
the ''green" or blue" Democracy, than the
gentle cooling Of Mr.. Stuart, l. G. to wreath
their faces in smiles.
Mr.. Doyle concluded in a very short
speech. which We had not the pleasure of
hearing, but which We are told was appro-
pirate and amusing.
Altogether we think our Opposition friends
are subjects of congratulation at the happy
time they had on Monday. May they con-
tinue to have such until their BcN is croch-
ed by the people in November
We have just returned from brief visit
to the Springs and find our liver now in fine
keller for the approaching arduous and ex-
citing campaign of over two months. Our
head is as clear as bell; our mind as pla-
cid and as calm as May morning temper
smooth; the bile from our stomach remov-
ed, and our whole system in splendid order
to ''roll up our sleeves and pull off our coat
for the hardest political Jordan ever poor
wight Of the quill travelled. We earnestly
trust that through the excitement insepara-
bly, incident to contest 10 which are thrown
so many conflicting elements, tue discussions
may be free from those assemblies of TEN.
per which too frequently mar the progress
Of party conflicts, and that manly and Ell
evated consciousness Of right may be exhib
tied on all sides in the use of the wea
pons Of reason and calm, fair argument
With this view, and in spirit which w
trust will find prompt and generous reel
procity, we again tender the use of the col
umns of the indicator to those of our par.
ty brethren who, following their honest con.
victions Of right, have seen proper to differ
with us. 1t is but fair and just that they
should be heard through the local press. ane
1t will afford US pleasure to be the means
Of gratifying any reasonable demand to that
end.
Mr. breckenridge, the secession candidate