The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-05-29
MASS MEETING

W the Conservative Party of Virqinia-
PotoerJM Speech of Col. Robert e. With
ers, the candidate for Gouernor-Able I'D
dress Of Maj. Zeph. Turner, Of Kappa
hammock. .is
Orange seems to have become tn
point ofdeparture ofpolitical campaign
ers in Virginia. WILSON, Of Massachu
sets, opened the campaign here las
year, and was succeeded this Spring BY
another Radical, negro named -
who began his incendiary harangues ii
this village. ELY, OF New Hampshire
commenced his career in Winchester
bat he is an exception to the rule.
Col. ROBERT 4. WRITER'S, our valian
standard bearer, arrived here on Satur
day last and took possession Of tn,
quarters provided for him at the Elk
change Hotel. He wasintroduced gen
orally to our citizens, who called or
him in spite of the heavy rain which
fell all day Saturday, and by his fine
personal appearance and afiable ad
dress made most favorable impros
sion.
On Monday, owing to high water and
short notice, the attendance from the
neighboring counties was not SO large
~ had been hoped for. Culpeper, how
ever, sent down large delegation by
rail, and at IL o'clock the street in front
OF the Court House was thronged.-
Court having adjourned til. Tuesday,
Col. wITHERs made his appearance in
the portico and was received with
hearty applause. ..
BE began by stating that his own
election was not what he sought, but
his defeat, for that would secure the de-
feat ef"the Constitution, and this was
an aim to which not only himself but
every person of every race should de-
vote all the ability which God had given
him. For himself, he esteemed it an
honor at any time and under any cir
cumstances to be chosen as leader of
the true men of Virginia, but in the
present terrible crisis, he counted it
ten-fold honor for, like second Cur
titus, he was called upon to sacrifice him.
self for the good Of his country and his
people. In the inmost recesses of his
heartAs felt proud of such an honor
any man would.
Never had there been such contest
as the present. Heretofore the strug-
gle had been between Wings and DEM
Ocrats, Know Nothiags and Democrats,
aecessionists and Union men-white
men contending for great political prin-
ciples and each party aiming at the
good of tho country-but now, how diff
fsrent! The struggle is not between
white men or between parties, but what
do we behsldi For the first time in the
history of the world, race of slaves.
yosr own slaves, negro men, the lowest
types Of the human race, invested not
only with the right of suffrage, but
taught to believe and enabled Ivy the
vilest trickery Of tyranny to carry that
belief into practice and to assert every
where and maintain everywhere their
superiority, first in civil and afterwards
in the dearest social relations, over
their former masters.
At this point he addressed himself to
the negroes, many Of whom were en-
the edge of the crowd, while few PEN
etrated to the foot of the steps on which |
he was speaking.
He had no concealments to make
Willing TO concede them every civil
and political right which was proper
for them, he nevertheless felt it his du-
y to tell than tbs truth, AMI that
was this. The white men Of Virginia
intend to rule Virginia. The negro
need not hope to evade this rule. AS
we'll might he hope that the IS millions
IF white Americans would submit to
become the serfs Of four millions of me-
sross., Before this were done, must
,ome inevitably war Of races. With
he odds against them, Z to !, let them
'ount well the cost before they provoke
Iuch q conflict. He praised the conduct
II the negroes during the war and ex-
pressed his strong personal good feel
ng for them, but he did not expect
heir votes, for he was emphatically the
white mans candidate. Moreover they
ould not vote as they pleased, for they
we're the slaves of their Leagues. If
ny were masters Of themselves and
hose to vote for him, 10 would be
.leasant surprise, no more. And with
hat he dismissed them.
During this part of the address. and
naeed to the very close, the negroes
istened with interest and attention /
ar more in fact than was displayed by e
many of the whites, who were discour- :
eous enough to talk about their private
fairs and to wander about during the /
rhole time OF the speech.
Col. WITHERs next proceeded 20 dis
uss the so-called Constitution, taking S
riatins its several features and show '
~ in strong colors how revolving they o
Tsre. This was perhaps the most mas II
nrly part of his admirable address, for j
discovered his fine powers of argu-
Ient and gave opportun. ty Tor the dis f,