Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-10-23
difficulties and laugh at obstacles which dis
conraoad and detained others at home

be held in the open air as had been intended,
the people assembled in the Armory-a building
which has greater capacity than any other in
the town. The members of the different pre-
einct professions marched in and placed their
banners against the walls The greatest enthu-
sasm prevailed. Though the weather was so
exceedingly disagreeable the meeting was graced
with the presence of o number of ladies'. Turn
er's excellent Cornet Band favored the meeting
with fine music.
The President of the Grand Rally-Hon. A.
d. Il. Stuart-not having returned from Lynch
burg, on motion of Bolivar Christian, Esq, Hugh
W. Shelley, Esq, was chosen to preside. As
the President was about to introduce the first
speaker, Hon. THos. s. FLoURNoY, it was an
nounced that the professions from Ohurchville
and Mint Spring had just arrived, and would be
in the spacious building in few minutes. This
announcement was received with great applause,
and in short time the large banner borne by
the Churchvllle procession was added to the
many others which decorated the walls. As
soon as order was restored, the President, Hugh
W. Shelley, Esq, in quite happy and felicltous
style, introduced Hon. THos. S. FLoURNoY to the
audience. He was greeted with loud cheering.
For two hours and thrty-fve minutes he en-
chained the deligted attention of the audience
with speech Of ability and eloquence. He ex-
posed the disunion designs of the chief support
ers of Breckenridge, and depicted in an eloquent
manner the indescribable evils which the con-
summation of their objects would bring upon
the country. At the conclusion of his speech, it
was announced that the Hon. JNo. S. PENDLEroN
would address the meeting at o'clock, P. NJ.
on the same day, and that on the next day (Sat-
urday) the iron-horse would bring Hon. GEO.
W. SUMMERS from the East, who would address
the meeting shortly after the arrival of the cars.
These several announcements were received with
enthusiastic cheering. The meeting then ad-
recess of the meeting the cars arrived bringing
WM. ". GlLMER, Esq, of Albemarle, for whose
delivery here at that time ca sG had been sent
to the Sheriff of Albemarle. The arrival Of this
prisoner under attachment was greeted with
great cheering and manifestations of joy and
pleasure. 49,
Before the arrival of the appointed hour the
house was again .erewded--ladies being present
as before to cheer the meeting with their sweet
smiles of appreciation. When W. W. Gilner,
ESQ.,, entered the Hall, the President announced
that be was there under attachment" when
the cheering established that great many be-
sides the Shersff had an attachment for him.
The President then called the meeting to order
and introduced the orator of the evening, Hon.
JOHN S. PENDLEToN. The rapturous applause
with which he was greeted showed that the
vast audience anticipated rich intellectual
repast-''a feast eff reason and flow of SOUP
and they were not disappointed, for the highest
anticpations were realized. From half after
o'clock till five minutes after six, he kept the
undivided and interested attention of his audi
ence. This effort showed that the fires of ear
lier days are not yet extinguished, and that the
sweet SAVIOR Of his eloquent voice is not yet lost.
Like the scimeter of Saladin, his wit was bright,
polished and keen, and at every stroke produced
decided effect. When he portrays characters
his pictures show that he yields the pencil of an
| artist His portrayal of James Buchanan and
his serving menials-his Office holding depend
ents-was ininitable.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Pendleton's speech,
loud calls were made for "Gilmer, "Gilmer," all
over the house. In response Mr.. Gilmer took
the stand amidst loud cheering. He said as the
other speakers had discussed everything from
$3.50 to the present, he would go a little
farther back, and commence at the garden of
Yancey few weeks ago in that very Hall max
ing Constitutional Union speech, he could not
help thinking of the serpent in Paradise.
He kept the audience in a roar of laughter
for about Is or 20 minutes, and when he wished
to conclude there were loud cries of ''go on, go
on" The meeting then adjourned after spend
ing most delightful time IN spite OF the bad
weather, to meet again the next day at 3 o'clock,
in anticipation of hearing Hon. Geo. W. Sum-
mers.
Before the arrival OF the cars on Saturday,
though it was still raining, the Band wagon
and others, with banners, and number of car
riages in order of procession were drawn up at
the depot anxiously awaiting the arrival OF the
cars with Hon. Geo. W. Summers aboard. As
soon as the cars arrived and the distinguished
orator appeared upon the platform he was greet
ed with enthusiastic cheers. As soon as he en-
tered the carriage the large and imposing
procession followed it, with music from the
Band, through some of the principal streets till
thew returned to the American Hotel, where
their honored guest dned. Before the hour of
8 o'clock arrived the spacious hall was again
filled-as before, number of ladies present, des-
nite the incessant rain. At o'clock Hon. A.
Fl. 81. Stuart introduced Mr.. Summers to the
audience. He was greeted with the most rap.
turous applause. From o'clock till five min
utes after o'clock, he entranced the attenti on
of his audience by one of the most able and elo-
ouent speeches which has been delivered before
any audience in this canvass. He demonstra-
ted, as with pencil of light, that none OF
the reasons assigned by the Democracy for di-
viding their party at this momentous crisis in
our country's fate, when every consideration of
patriotism enjoined the most perfect harmony
and Union, could be the true reason for that SUI
icidal act. He showed that the true reason was
the fact that the secessionists desired dissolu-
ton of the Union, and the most direct way to
effect that object was to divide the Dem ocratic