Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-03-29
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Speeches on Monday.

s. M. YOsT, Editor ana Proprietor.
Speeches on Monday.
We have not space this week to allude at
length. as we had intended, to the speeches
delivered at the Courthouse on Monday
last by Messrs. Harris end Skinner. The
effort Of Mr.. H. was flimsy. superfcial; con-
Trajectory, .insincere, demagoguccal and dis
gushing. 1t betrayed greed for position,
regardless Of a we'll defined consideration of
principle, nauseating in the extreme. 1t
would have been impossible for any candid
man, hearing Mr.. Harris fer The first time,
to have classified his political association
any otherwise than with the Republicans.
He complimented Lincoln for The evacua-
ton of Sumpter, when he knew that, if that
event ever occurred, it would be from ne
.eessity and act peacefulintentions. He de-
nounced the South and her representative
men, and -.anplauded the virtue of the
North, to whose people he desired to refer
the vindicatien of the outraged honor and
rights of the South He denounced the
politicians and appealed to the people to take
in hand their own interests. in one breath,
and in the next, advised The people to 90
home to their farms, and leave the affairs
of the country to be settled by the politi-
eians--the patriots of the land, such as him
self. But we have no patience to dwell ups
on such balderdash and non committalism
as Mr.. Harris gave to the people on Mon,
day last.
Mr. Skinner, in response to loud calls
from the large audience present, delivered
one Of the ablest speeches we have ever
heard from him. There could be no COM
parisen between the two efforts, Mr. Skin
ner rising so far above the range of Mr.
Harris ideas that that gentleman made no
attempt at reply to his positions.
r. l.. Doyle, Esq. announced that he
was not candidate for Congress, and init
mated his purpose to support Mr.. Harris,
who is now the only aspirant in the field.
Judge John w. EsrockenbrOugla.
On Saturday evening last, about ten O.
clock,it having been ascertained that Judge
Jno. W. Brockenbrough was at the Vir-
ginia Hotel, Turner'S Cornet Band, at the
request of number of our citizens, comph-
mented him with serenade. In response,
Judge B. made few remarks on the con-
dition Of our country. Having but recent
ly returned from Washington, he gave a
succinct, yet interesting aAusion to the eff
forts of tire Peace Commissioners sent by
Virginia (of whom he was one) to devise
some means by which the Constitutional
rights Of the South might be more fully
assured, and, as consequence, the Union
preserved. Those efforts having failed of
all desirable issue, he saw no other course
for Virginia to pursue with honor, than to
Immediately separate from the Northern
States, the onimas Of whose every action
is intense hostility to the institutions and e.
quality of the South.
The short speech Of Judge B., although
entirely impromptu, was delivered with that
ease and grace and beauty Of diction pecu-
liar to the distinguished gentleman. But
few persons possess in a more eminent de-
gree the power of presenting their thoughts
in SO perspicuous a manner as Judge b
His effort on Saturday night was one of his
happiest, evidencing that thorough culture
of mind and concentration of thought which
has made him one of the most profound ju-
rists of the age.
The audience. numbering over two hun
dred of our citizens, received his remarks
with manifestations Of the highest gratif-
cation, evincing their hearty concurrence 10
the patriotic sentiments uttered, by fire.
quent applause.
It was the first time we had ever heard
the Judge other than on the Bench. A
voice clear and harmonious, enunciatiop dis
tinct and musical, and gestures appropriate
and graceful, he combines the elements of
the popular orator possessed by but few
Take the occasion altogcther-the delight
full music. the orator, and his interesting
theme-we have seldom enjoyed more a.
greeable and entertaining half hour.