Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-15
LOCAL NEWS.

LOCAL NEWS.
THE CONSERVATIVE MASS MEETING tonight,
will, if the weather be favorable, be probably
very large one. 1t will be held, it will be seen,
at the corner of King and Washington streets.
Distinguished speakers are expected to address
the people. We hope to see grand rally OF
all who intend to support Greeley and Brown,
and an attendance of all who wish to hear the
important subjects connected with the coming
Presidential election handled with ability.
In the event of inclement weather the meet
ing will be held in the Assembly Rooms.
PUBLIC SPEAKING. Pursuant to notice Mr..
H. 0. Claughton addressed meeting of his
fellow citizeus, at Sarepta Hall, last night. Mr..
G. took up and ably discussed the acts of the
Radical Congress aud the present administra-
ton, especially in reference to the course pur-
sued towards the white people of the South,
aud in this connection read extracts from the
report of the Ku- Klux investigating committee,
to show upon what fimsy pretexts these out
RACES had been perpetrated, and conclusively
exposed the object had in view by the enact
warranted laws, put into execution for mere
partizan agrandzement He arraigned the
President upon the various charges preferred
against him by the Conservative party, and de-
monstrated clearly the necessity for change IN
the administration OF the affairs of the govern
ment. His address was digniGed, sound, logi-
cal, and convincing, and was delivered with
calm cogency, sure In facts, and accurate in
conclusions. The speaker was listened to
throughout with marked attention, and receiv-
ed the frequent and hearty applause Of his audi
ence.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Claughton speech,
and in response to calls, Mr.. j. Armistead Car
ter, OF Loudoun county, addressed the meeting,
and, although impromptu, it was one OF the
best political speeches heard here during the
canvass. Digni6ed aud respectful In language,
it was at the same time very interesting and
anecdotes and apt Illustrations, delighting his
audience, who manifested their appreciation by
frequent applause. His criticism upon Gen.
Grant, while entirely respectful, was warrant
ably severe, and while according to him all the
credit due as military hero, he said that the
fame Of Washington himself would have been
furnished by such an itching palm as Grant
possessed, and that gift taking would have sui
lied all the glories achieved at Trenton,
Brandywne, Yorktown, &c. He eulogized
Horace Greeley, and declared that id his opin-
ion he was the man for the OCCASION not only
because be could beat Graut but because he
was honest and liberal, had tender heart, aud
would administer the government for the bene
fit not of one, but of all sections of this vast
country, the mightiest inheritance that has been
bequeathed to man since the world began. He
likeued Mr.. Greeley to Henry of Navarro, who,
when addressing the people in Paris, had said
that, say of him what they might he had never
broken his word or violated pledge, and that
while Mr.. Greeley had said things that he
did not approve, yet he knew that ne was hon
est in his convictions, and that his errors were
rather of the head than of the heart, and that
having pledged himself to stand by the Gin
ciunat platform, he was willing, and believed
the people were willing, to place lmpiclte con-
fdence in his assurances. He alluded to the
origin of the habeas corpus and the demand OF
the English people for that great bu wark Of
public safety against the despotism of Kings;
to the destruction Of the Bastile by the people
of Paris, and in this connection referred to the
power conferred upon the President Of the sus
pension of the writ Of habeas corpus in times
of peace, thus giving him authority not pos
sessed by the crown heads of Europe, and lead
ing directly to the destruction Of the liberties
of the people. He alluded to the carpet bag
gers and quoted Mr.. Greeley's opinion Of that
class of adventures, and said that they had
stolen from the impoverished South upward of
thirty millions of dollars; and concluded with
an appeal to all parties who want to see re-
turn to free and republican form of govern.
ment to support the election of Greeley and
Brown. Mr.. G. was interrupted with his per
mission, two or three times during his speech
by D. F. Dulany and Lysander Hill the former
to PROFOUND questions and the latter in an at
tempt to refute certain charges made Of Grants
accepting gifts, but both were promptly and
happily answered, and very much to the dis
comfture of the lnterrogators and to the In
tense delight Of the audience. The meeting
passed off very pleasantly and adjourned about
half past ten o'clock.
A DISAPPOINTMENT. Quite large num-
Der of the admirers of the turf, many of whom