The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-28
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.
Colonel Withery In Roan0ke.

SALEM, VA, July 20, 1000. I
This has been rather stirring week in
our town. Last Monday was courtrdsy,
and that, with q menagerie and circus,
brought large crowd to Salem-the largest,
it is thought, that has ever been here be-.
fore. On Thursday there was another me-
nagerie and circus, and, wonderful to say.
I" wife, children, and friends " again turned
out en- mGsse, through the dust and swell
tering heat, to see the elephant, the mon
key, and the clown. | suppose that not
less than 81, 500 of our circulating medium
was thus thrown away upon, q set OF stroll
ing vagabonds. ~, - .s.s;. =
/, Extensive preparations had been made
for mass meeting and barbecue on yes
terday in honor Of our gallant standard
bearer, Colonel Withers; but what with
the two shows of the week and the heavy
rains Of Thursday night and Friday morn
ing the attendance was by no means so
large as was expected and hoped. The
rain was greatly needed, and SO far as any
were kept away from this cause, the regret
for non-attendance was made up by the
general improvement in animal and vege-
table life. Some disappointment was felt
that General Walker and Mr.. Marye, who
had been announced as speakers, besides
Colonel Withers, we're not present; but,
after hearing him, everything like disap-
pointment gave way to feelings Of the high
est satisfaction and enjoyment Our
expectations had been raised by the fatter-
ing accounts we had of Colonel Withers's
efforts at other points during the canvass,
and we were, therefore, prepared to give
him Favorable reception; but, for
one, must confess to en- agreeable
surprise on hearing him speak for the
first time. He is on orator, and no
mistake-not tsforest- born" like Patrick
Henry, but yet o self-made, though here
tofore Impractical, orator. Nor is he one
of your whipped-syllabub Fourth-of-July
declaimers, but clear, logical, impressive
speaker, whose manly appeals to the reason
and Judgment of his hearers went to the
depths of every patriotic heart. His dis
cussion of the new Constitution was emf
nently pointed and practical; indeed, it
seemed to be exhaustive. The questions of
negro suffrage, the militia, the jury system,
the school system, with the enormous tax
alton that will be required to keep it up !;
the degrading and Infamous mixed schools
obviously contemplated, viz hoheosSho
exemption, which was shown to be q cheat !;
and the secret ballot, which had every
where been an instrument Of fraud, were
alternately examined, and the whole thing
called Constitution, with all of its abom
nations, exposed to the scorn and contempt
of all true Virginians. 9I,
After Colonel Withers had closed his adj
mirable speech, Mr.. Mix,a distinguished
lawyer from New Orleans, who was pre-
sent, was invited to give US some illustra-
tions of the practical operation of negro
rule in Louisiana. This he did in few
pointed remarks, showing what might be
expected in Virginia from the experience
Of Louisiana; and the picture was truly an
alarming one. y,ers %.AtIF5EE
Mr.. Mix was followed by Captain Eustace
Gibson, who Il ought to have said) ad-
dressed our people very effectively last
Monday, and who now urged the voters of
Roanoke to greater activity and zeal in the
work Of defeating the Constitution. This,
he insisted, could be done; but in order to
accomplish it, every Conservative voter
must register and vote. Thus closed the
discussion in Roanoke. ..s h. N.