Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-08-25
"FLOWING SPRING MILLS"
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1863.
5000 PEOPLE In ATTENDANCE!
Able Speeches by Col. BENZ. Wilson,
Hon. J. N. Camden, Col. Okey
Johnson, Hon. A. R. BOtelor,
andssMai ...E.SW. Andrews.

The political demonstration at FLOWING
Spring on Saturday last was 4 success in
every sense of the word. The arrangements
were admirable, the attendance large, tie
order observed throughout the day excellent,
and the speaking such as to elate the spirits
of those whose breasts are animated with
desire for the restoration of harmony and
good will to the country. The morning dawned
as bright and beautiful as the faith that cheers
the hearts and buoys the spirits Of the De-
mocracy of the country; and nature, as if
sympathising with the objects for which the
meeting was appointed, had decked herself
in the most enchanting robes, and Wore an
aspect as lovely as bride adorned for her
nuptials The spot selected for the gathering
was just such an one as gave to the propitious
smiles of Providence, genial welcome and
inspiring reception. Early in the day the
people commenced pouring in, on foot, on
horseback, and in every conceivable form of
vehicle, from the rough and numbering road
wagon to the elegant equipage suited to the
aspirations of the most worldly minded
BY 8! o'clock the woods were filled with
heterogeneous mass of all ages, sizes and sexes,
and yet the people continued to arrive. Jeffer-
son had there assembled her wealth, her
responsibility and her intelligence; Berkeley
was represented in the persons Of some of her
gallant sons and fair daughters Clarke, our
little sister, had her deputation whilst from
- r kloea IubO
felt interested in the dawn of that day which
is to restore to this continent the sacred, and
once rerered principles of civil liberty. No
one could move through that thrOng, and look
upon the anxious faces Of the aged and ami
mated countenances Of the more youthful,
without feeling that there is yet much worth
contending for in the constitution handed
down to us by our fathers, torn, and rent and
disregarded as it has been within the past
eight years of radical misrule and oppression.
Reviving the precious memories Of the past,
and lighting the gloom which has surround
ed US, the gathering Of Saturday, gave to the
hopeful increased faith-in the hearts Of the
doubling it famed the spark Of hope-to the
responding, it came like ray Of light pierre
ing the veil of darkness that has hung like a
death pail over everything that radicalism
has touched-and within the breasts of all,
it inspired the feeling that there sis life in
the old land yet"
THE ORGANIZATION.
At 10! o'clock, DR.. J. V. SIMMONS, the
chairman Of the executive committee of this
township assembled the stand, and called the
meeting to order. He then nominated as
President of the Day, LOGAN OsBoURN, Esq,
which nomination was seconded by acclamG-
ton. Mr.. o., in assuming the duties assigned
him, introduced to the audience, the Rev. W.
S. PENICK, who addressed the Throne of
Grace in an invocation, beautiful for its
reverence and appropriate because of the
dcvout spirit in which it was offered.
TIE SPEAKING.
The President then introduced to the au-
dience, Col. BENJAMIN WILSON, of Clarks-
burg, who represents the Democratic State
ticket as candidate for Elector at Large
On taking the stand, Col. W. returned his
thanks for the compliment conferred ia the
cordial invitation which he had received to
be present and address the people on this &C.
casion, and congratulated himself upon having
the privilege of appearing before such an au-
dience. lie came from distant part Of the
State, but cherishing that feeling of pride in
the glorious renown of his mother State, that
was the inheritance of every native son OF
Virginia. Though unknown to most of those
present, he did not feel himself a stranger, as
he had served in the Convention of Virginia
with the President Of the Day, Mr.. Osbourn
and having formed the acquaintance of many
of those by whom he was surrounded.-
Having briefly spoken of the pleasure he ex-
perienced in being present ON the occasion,
he proceeded with the directneSs and preci-
sion of a practiced speaker, to discuss the
several issues which divide the two parties OF
the present day, and which contribute to make
the pending Presidential contest the most i'm
portant that has occurred since the formation
of the government. The Democratic party.
he said, had been charged by its opponents
with having an infusion of treason in its com
position, and Of being untrue to the principles
of the Constitution. To refate this false and
untounded charge, it was only necessary to
refer to the progress and prosperity of the
country under Democratic rule, and to point
to the fidelity Of the party in every trying
emergency Of the country. Such a charge
came with a bad grace from party that num-
bered among its leaders such men as Butler.
the spoon thiefof Massachusetts Joe Brown,
the renegade secessionist of Georgia; the
Rev. Hunncutt Of Virginia, who was so in
tensely Southern that he wanted to seize
Fortress Monroe, before the Convention of
Virginia had passed the ordinance Of seces,