The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-28
1.ErrER FROM ORANGE COUNTY.
ORANGE c. H.. VA, Sept. 90.

TO the Eiitor of itAs St1te Journal: gi
DEAR S1R,-The Republicans of Orange
held their county convention to-day, and
selected Mr.. Philip Megler, their old and
tried friend in the cause, and Mr.. w. w.
johnson, as delegate and: alternate, to at
tend the convention Of our party to- be held
in Richmond on the 9th instant.
After the business of the convention was
over, mass meeting was organized IN
front Of the court-housc-slr. Philip Mel
glcr being chosen chairman, and MIR. j. y.
IIawley secretary.
Henry Anderson, colored, being called
upon, addressed the meeting IN very
earnest speech, which was well received.
1t having been announced IN the begin
ming that the time would be divided with
our Democratic friends, after Anderson had
gotten through, John Lee, Esq, desired to
be heard in reply to some OF the charges
made by Mr.. Anderson. The opportunity
being awarded to him he came forward, and
tried very hard to convince his hearers that
the Democratic party was safe party to
cntrust with the affairs of the State. He
DENOUNCED the 'carpet-baggers and scala
wags,'' which was, i'll the estimation Of his
Democratic hearers, a big thing. Asst was
apparent that Mr.. Lee was talking against
time, the chairman intimated that it was
getting e, ard that there were others who
wanted to be heard. Mr.. Lee then closed
his remarkable speech, which was calcula-
ted to have powerful effect, but failed ut
terly to convince anybody that the Demo-
cratic party is a party to be trusted.
R. d. Becky, Esq, being present, was
loudly called for. He promptly responded
to the very complimentary request, and in
apeculiarly, easy off-hand manner delivered
one of the most telling speeches l ever
heard him make. He reviewed, with scorch-
ing eloquence, the record of the ku-Klux
Democracy, and was frequently interrupted
with applause. The leaders of the Demo-
cratic party of Orange and some from Gull
pepper were on hand and had a good many
questions to ask friend Beckley, but he had
q ready answer for them all, and in the
best of humor, his replies, every time, car.
ried CONSERVATION into their ranks much to
the amusement of the Republicans.
Mr.. Beckley continued TO pour hot shot
into the ranks of our enemies until nearly
dark, when he gave way and thanked his
hearers, one and all for their respectful at
tention.
Mr.. Lee having made an attack upon the
poor white trash cor scalawags," Mr.. j..
q. Hawley responded in a short but cut
ting speech, saying that his father had been
a citizen of Orange, and though poor, he
was an honest and Christian man, as
much so as those who styled themselves
the White Mans Party-the aristocracy of
Virginia. When quite young he had left
this county with his bundle of clothes up
on his back and whatever he was he
owed to the intelligence and liberality of
the North. He was now and had been for
some time property-holder in the adj
joining county Of Culpeper, earned by
honest toll, not by the toll of the poor
slave.
He showed to his friends the treachery
of the Democratic party, and that it was
not party for the poor man to attach HIM
self to. He appealed to them to tell him,
if possible, what the Democratic party had
done, in all its successive years of power,
for the poor man; had it educated his
children; had it done. anything, IN fact,
that was not calculated to degrade rather
than elevate and enlighten the poor men
of Virginia.
Mr.. Hawley was very earnest in his
manner of speaking and his points seemed
to carry conviction to the minds of his
hearers. 1t being late, Mr.. III. was obliged
to bring his remarks to close.
Owing to the lateness of the hour, Capt.
MacNulty, who was called upon to reply
to the attack of Mr.. Lee upon s'carpet-
baggers,o did not do so, but stated that
he would try do so before the close of
the canvass.
The Democracy seem to be, in the Ian
guage of an old colored man, who was pre-
sent at their attempt to hold a convention.