The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-09-05
Especial telegram to the DiTs'"h. J

O'Clock tonight to attend the, discussion be-
tween Colonel John r. Popham and Hon.
Charles II. Porter, rival Republican e'ndi-
date. for Congress in this district. The
crowd. which numbers several hundred, Is
composed of white and coiored in ABOUT
equal numbers. and good spirit prevails
though there Is
CoNslDEHAB1.E CURIOSITY A*D EXCITEMENT.
Stowell is also on. the ground, and it Is s'id
will take part in triangular fight. A spe-
cial train from Richmond arrived about
bringing about one hundred per-
sons. variously divided in sympathy be-
tween the competitors. Among the NUMBER
are Captain John d. Volt, Rush Burgess,
John Robinson, and other prominent Ne
publicans. There seems to be nobody In
particular In charge Of the exercises. and the
arrangement is that Popbam speak for an
hour and half or thereabotits, and that
Porter can reply at equal length when he
closes. Colonel Popha,n disclaimed any
purpose of making an explanation or vindl-
cation, and said he had exercised the right
Of any citizen to announce himself US eau
didate; least Of all did he apologize to his
competitors, who had consulted neither him
or the people, for,
BLESS THEIR MODEST SOULS,
while he was beSitating about the pro.
prety of such a step, they had rashly run i'll
and done the deed. This district was second
to none i'm the State in Importance. hlch
in every material interest, and rich In the
culture and courage Of it's live SONS and In
the fame of Its dead, and it would be an nll-
exanpled honor to represent IL. He referred
to his appearance in Charlotte county on the
spot made famous by Randolph of Roanoke,
and Patrick Henry. Now, there stand be-
fore yo, as candidates three persons, first
his honorable and amiable friend
W, II. II, srowgLL, LATE OF HAssACHr sETTs,
who fioatcd here, being of adventurous
spirit, on the red tide of war. which led him
to honor and Office, az mild-mannered man
as ever grabbed I'LL Office or caught by the
throat an uncircumciZcd delegate, and fixed
him for Stowell. Stowel had already wide
circle of atilniring friends, consisting of as
sistant asscssors. Next was the Hon. Charles
III. Porter, from the grand empire State OF
New York, n gentleman of energy, brains,
and pluck. He, too, floatcd in OH the tide of
revolutions, and had been so lucky as always
to have rich Office since he came here. He
was sorry Porter was now to be disap-
pointed. and quoted:
"Show pity, Lord oh. Lord. forgive,
And Il, the patriot, Porter, live.
His competitors. he said would pay their
respects to him. lie acknowledged his want OF
experience, and while the past history of the
district was secure, he would advert to living
issues.
Bush Burgess nl.de some noisy comments
here, and there was d rather sharp passage
between bin and Porter.
Referring to the presidential questions, he
said the part he had taken in the nomination
of Grant had passed into history. There was
no opposition to General Grant; but he had
used all his Influence to defeat the nomlna
ton of Colfax, because lie had searched II
vain for al expression Of kindness and sym
pathy for the southern people. MIR. Wilson
bud taken some interest in our people, With
out regard to party. His honest opinion o
the presidential battle was-[There were
here ....-
LOUD DEMONSTRATIONS IN TIE CROWD,
said TO have been made by Rush Burgess,
and for o time disturbance seemed immi'
nsnt. Finally quiet was restoredl On the
Sth day Of next month Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Indiana, and other States would elect Cover
nors. unless the Greeley movement. which
he had never ridicuied nor abused-bccause
many honest Republicans were associated
with it-unless that movement carried some
of these States. that movement will at once
die, and the Democratic party, which went
in to ruin, would retire and vote for Charles
O'Conor. He believed Mr. Greeley stood lie
chance whatever against General Grant.
Colonel Pophum WAS asked If he did moi
know the Louisville Convention was held IN
Grants interest. Colonel Popham said he
did not deny 1t, and
IF GENERAL GRANT WAS ELECTED HE WOULD Bt
ELECTED OVERWHELMINGLY, AND GREATLY
THROUGH THE AID OF THE DEMOCRATIC DE
FICTION.
Should he carry Virginia, there may be
elected from Porter and Stowell's old dis
irict two Liberal men, Messrs. Smith and {
Y. Thomas. And this brings him to th'
charge that his competitors have fed from
Democratic opponents, though more tina.
matches for them, and taken refuge behind
lining rampant Of fifteen thousand Radica
majority which could not be undone. Th'
doctrine he yehemently denounced was tina
whether convention presented beast o.
reptile for Office, or by whatever persons, h'
was to be supported. Once admit it, and /
man in Congress
WORTH MONEY AND OFFICES AT DISPOSAL WEN
THERE TO SIT FOREVER,
and political slavery resulted as bad if no
worse than Its ancient form. Colonel Pop
ham denounced this system vigorously and al
length, exposing the abuses to which 1t |:
made subject. Good men should unite
without regard to party for these very rea
sons. Why had these gentlemen fed theil
posts of duty before an enemy not more than
their equal in numbers In the Richmond
district the Conservative majority was but
seyenty.four, and stoweips old district was
very doubtful. But they would run no risk
and showed the syhite flag when danger
threatened. They were elephants in the