The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-08-29
PUBLIC SPEAKING.

Court House was 6 led with citizens from
every section of the county to participate in
the county meeting called for the purpose of
county organization. Col John B. Baldwin,
County Superintendent, took the chair and
explained the objects Of the meeting aud on
motion Of COL NJ G. Hartman, the members
of the City press were appointed secretaries.
Col. Hartman then moved that those present
frsm each Township and ward, of the county
retire and recommend two from each ward
and Township to constitute the permanent
CITY and County Committee. On the sug-
gestion Of Major Hanger he altered his mo-
ton so as to authorize the Chairman to APP
point two from each ward and Township, and
that the committee should retire and fx up
on the persons they would recommend to the
meeting, and then the meeting should pass
upon them. The Chair appointed the fol-
lowing committee (see regular procecdings)
who retired to the Circuit Clerk office and
in course Of haitian hour reported the follow
ing committee (see proceedings)
During the absence Of the committee, Col.
Skinner being called on. spoke for half an
hour defining his position, which was very
decided for Greeley. Col. S. spoke as he
usually does in an eloquent manner and was
frequently interrupted by applause.
Col. Robt. E. Withers. was the first speak
er to take the stand He Is one ofth Elect
ors at large in the State aud will be remem-
bered as the standard bearer selected By the
Conservative party, before the Walker move
meut, and the graceful and gallant style in
which he sacrificed his personal advancement
for what was then considered the welfare of
the State, will be remembered by the people n
the future, when they shall be able to speak
their preference, unswayed by policy. Col
w. dwelt in eloquent style upon the iniqui.
ties of the present administration, and COM
pared the surroundings of Greeley and Grant
in lucid and fore bic language. His aucc-
dotes we're of rather higher grade than our
pee pie heard at the last Court and he applied
them handsomely. Upon the whole the i'm
preston made by this gentleman upon our
people was very favorable and his address a
decided success.
Hon. Shelton r. Leake was next introdu-
ced and spoke for nearly an hour. Mr.. I4eake
is so well known to this people that it is
scarcely necessary to say anything Of him.
The wings will remember him as an able ad-
versary and the democrats recognize in him
one of their most gifted champions. The
Governors speech was a plain, forcible and
incisve dissertation on the duties OF the hour
He INDUCED very little 10 anecdote, only We
} think referring to Bill APPS definition Of the
Peace that Grant has given us as 1.-THE peace
that passeth understanding"
|. When the Governor took his seat, there
were loud calls for W. s. Gilman and Rar
Tucker. Neither of the gentlemen being
t present, Col. Baldwin was called out and ir
his usual style discoursed for three quarter:
} Of an hour directing his remarks principal y
to the difference in the personnel OF the two
candidates. Illustrating his ideas BY chal.
: longing any one to cite an anecdote told Of
Grant, indicating his humanity, his kindness
of heart or his liberality, while OF the other
hand, no man lived who could not put his
finger on something that gives prominence te
al! these qualities in Greeley. Governor
Leake interrupted him to cite the only anec
dote known of Grant. not being willing to DE-
ihju Justice to the Devil. Namely. the grea
present takers purchase of the paper from thu
credulous newsboy who confidently expected
that the FIVE cent change would be left to him
but the hand that upheld Leet and Stocking
was held out and convusively grasped the
lone FIVE, and the Eagle shrcked a farewell
to daylight as it tumbled into the Presiden.
tial Pocket.
By the time Col. B. had gotten through
Mr.. Gilman, through tho instrumentaity o.
some friends, had been found quietly enjoying
an .fternoon nap and forced into service. He
spoke with great fuency and force and made
a very favorable impression. His picture OF
the happy family in Delaware where he pro-
posed to send all the impracticables, was very
funny. He very clearly illustrated the re-
mark that he made in his speech that if walked
up out Of sleep he would know how to 60
About the time Mr. Gilman got through
Mr.. Tucker being discovered on the Gallery
stairs, there was call for him both long and
loud. and he was intercepted IN his efart to
escape and brought out. HIS speech like. all
we have ever heard from him, was clear,
strong. to the point. and withal garnished
with an insidious vein Of fun that sparklcd
and shone through the whole. Mr.. I. al
though speaking to-an audience that had
heard FIVE speeches, held his listeners to the
last, though late in the evening, and most
of them long way to 90.
Y Mr.. T. illustrated point in his speech by re
latine the anecdote abont "cxhorting the i'm
penitent mule" In doing this he enacted
the mule the stalled mule, the not Id
step further mule, to such perfection and SO
naturally, that the house came down. MIR
N..la