The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-26
Senator Lewis was then introduccd. II,

was suffering from illness and fatigue, but
he spoke truths very damaging to Conser-
vatlsm. lie vindicated his own course in
the Walker campaign, and showed the du-
plicity, teaching, want of faith and entire
lack of honesty of purpose of Walker.
Then he devoted his attention to the Con-
servatives in the most telling style. lie
kept his audience cOnvulsed with laughter
or shouting in derision. He was followed
by Hon. Lewis Mckenzie, of Alexandria,
who, in his in'mitable and peculiar man
ner, went on rapidly from point to point,
skctchlng with telling emphasis the pccu-
llarities, stupidities and denominations Of
democracy. Perhaps the best relished of
all his speech was the very humorous and
laughable way in which he paid his COM
plmcnts to his old friend and farmer asso-
ciate, Hon. A. III. II. Stuart, of this place.
Mr.. Mckenzie would insist that the Stuart
who expected, and wanted, to be nomina-
ted for Vice-President on the same ticket
with Lincoln in 1860, though he were q
tmid man, could be no Democrat.
1t was regretted by the Republicans that
the Democrats should take this occasion to
show their partizan pecularities but of
course it would not do for those claiming
to be the chivalry and gcntility of Augusta
county and the city of Staunton, to allow
free speech without attempting to put it
down. An attempt was made when Sena-
tor Lewis was speaking by insulting qucs-
tons and loud disordely language, to dis
turb the speaker and the meeting. He
paid no attention to the interruptions for
some time, but finally the nuisance becom-
ing too prominent, he said that he con-
sldered it beneath the digrity of speaker
to notice the language of a blackg lard,
and none but blackguard would
attempt to break up public meeting. At
this, one of these creatures ventured to
show fight, when the Senator very promptly
said that he recognized no individual i'll a
place like that, but if any one was offended
at anything he said, they could have all the
satisfaction that was wanted, outside of the
room and at another time. Several very
determined Republicans by this time had
gathered about the distulbers, and the
meeting was not again interrupted. They
shortly took occasion to slip out, and in the
middle of Mr.. McKenzie's speech the cry
of fire was raised outside, and some portion
of the fire apparatus belonging to The city
was used in further attempt to disturb
but the audience understood the hoax, and
only few left. This work was not done
by boys, but individuals who had reached
manhood, and who call themselves ''gen-
tlemen."
The action of Senator Lew IS was warmly
endorsed by the Republicans, ,and the better
portion of the Democrats profess to dislike
the actions of their partisans. This dis
claimer on their part is all useless, for they
can put down such actions if they will
frown upon the disposition which produces
it, as heartily and sincerely in private as
they pretend to in public. Our mayor was
present in the first of the me eting, but did
not make bis appearance during the d;s-
turbance. JOHN.
We quote from DR.. Otis L. Presbrey's
letter to Mr.. A. M. Crane, who, on account
of illness, was prevented from being pres
ent at the meeting in Staunton:
Virginia, burdened as she is with debt, under
W Sc counsels, Nth tho new life and impulse
That should inspire every one of her sons, may
step forward into % noble. future TO take her
place among the 'front.' rank of States
This cannot be done by binding herself TO the
dead issues Of The past The present teachings
and The corrupt'ors of The Tammany ring, that
now CONTROL The Democratic party have nothing
TO offer that can be of worl' or value in advanc-
ing her true in erests of education agriculture,
shown itself a deusion, and ere long must be
stripped of its guise, aud every voter will soon
be called upon to stand face to face as Democrat
or Republican.