Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-24
THE MEETING LAST NIGHT.

er Il large and intelligent audience assembled at
the new Market building last night where
specchcs were made by COL William S. Gilman,
Of Richmund, land Me>Srs. Lewis Nlckcuzle, lln.
den Kent, C. H. Stuart aud ID. S. Dcapanc.
Ii the fame acquired by Col. Gilman during
this canvass, as public speaker, had preceded
him aud .ead to the anticipation Of an old fash
toned political treat. there certainly was not the
slightest cause for disappointment, for hner
speech, breathing true Virginia spirit, full OF
sound reasoning, logical deductions, brilliant or
atcrica flights, biting sarc;lsiSul, solid facts aud
happy illusions aud illustrations, has not beeu
heard in Alexandria for many day. His au-
dence was pcrte city delighted aud though he
spoke UPWARDS Of one hour and halt there
were none present who did not regret when
he concluded, and i more decided effect has
not been produced by auy address made here
during the campaign.
He took retrospective view Of political al
fairs showing how the South after the war
had been more than willing to accept the stu
alton for the sake OF peace and harmony again.
the Radicals in power, and charged directly
upou Zen. Grant the infections of all the sub
scuucnt woes upon our section, by the appoint
mcut and continuance in office Of men whose
sole purpose was to grow rich at the expense
OF an already impoverished people aud 70 manlp-
ulatc the ignorant for the purpose OF coutIonng
the cicctluus aud continuing III power the pres
cut administration. La this connection he cited
the amount Of internal revenue collected ID
certain districts of North and South Carolina,
Alubama aud other States, and the exorbltant
sums paid out Tor It's col ectlOn, III some IN
stances the latter amount far exceeding the
collections and from the sworn testimony OF
witnesses before the ku kux Investigating
Committee, he narrowed up the feelings OF
his audience by drawing vivid but no less
true picture OF the suffering condition OF the
| pcople of our sister State Ut South Carolina.
| where fraud aud CORFU ptlOn have grown so bold
| and become SO transparent that the Radicals
outside Of the State no longer attempted TO
| palate the Offences which stink 10 the nostrls
of every honest man throughout the land
| The speaker was severe in his criticism upon
the 'strughtouts' aud those who we've 50 par
ticuar in reference TO record and most hap
ply illustrated the Inconsistency OF the hu.
mar mud by citing the record of the very
men who now say they cannot support Mr.
! Greeley gu account of his record show
ing thar these very gentlemen were unable IN
auy lu>tauce To show clear bill. Mcssrs.
Robert TombS, A II. Stevens, Henry 4. Wise,
JAS Lyuus and others were each tried but not
one could stand the test.
COL G eulogized Mr. Greeley and throwing
! behind him his anti-bellum and bellum record
reviewed his course since the war and showed
that he had been from the day Of the surrender,
aye even from the time of the conference in
| Hampton Roads, willing and anxious for re-
corclation; aud that while Radical orators OF
the Sonth were trying to luhame the people
against MIR. Greeley because Of his anti-savery
sailed as the friend of the South and as
secessioDist. The speaker then portrayed the
| changed state of affairs that would take place
| in the event Of the election Of Mr.. Greeley,
when virtue and honesty would again assert
| their sway, fraud, corruption and debauchery
be put down and he like Grant would not have
to weep because there were no more relatives
upou whom to bestow Offices.
He concluded with an appeal to every Fir-
guian to do his duty, and even If unsuccessful
IN the national contest, to save the State, and
most touchingly and appropriately did he recite
the story of Cor!olauus, who. when beseiging
Rome, and when all other efforts had failed,
was dissuaded from his purpose OF destroying
the city BY the importantly of bis aged mother,
and the city thus saved so said the speaker your
aged mother Virginia, with only mother
blessing to bestow, bids you save her, and in
the hour of her future greatness when she
shall have recovered her strength and vigor,
and once more sit mistress Of the world, she
will not;have to say, II was an hungered and ye
gave me no meat; thirsty aud ye gave me nc
drink; naked and We clothed me not; sick aud
imprisoned aud We visited me not; depart from
me ye cursed, know ye not.
| The speech throug hout was received with the
Yarmrsl plaud!ts, and the spea ker was com
PEELED frequently 10 suspend his remarks Tor a
minute or 50 to allow the audience time to ex-
press their great delight at his happy hits and
we'll pointed anecdotes As We have said
above the speech has not been equalled By any
heard here during the canvass, and was fully
appreciated, and Col. G will long be remem
bered by the people Of Alexandria as finished
orator, most effective speaker, and one of the
best posted politicians Of this day; and he is an
evidence, that 10 the young men of the State
Virginia has still cause to be proud of the ablll,
ties Of her sonS
At the conclusion of COL Gilmans address
Mr. Mckenzie took the stand aud figured
out the election Of Greeley and Brown to the
satisfaction Of his hearers, iutersperSlDg hi:
! data with some humorous remarks which elicl-
ted much applause. He read the address Of
the Bankers Of New York city urging the necessi
! tn for the reelection OF Grant and commented
upon it with just severity. He too urged the
people to do their duty and trust to Providence
for a deliverance from the present corruption
which stalks abroad in open day.
In response to frequent calls Mr.. Linden
Kcut appeared. He stated that be was before
them not to make speech but an apology fol
his associate Mr.. S. Z. Neale who had ex
| pected to address the meeting, but was pre-
vented by the sickness of bic mother who the
day previous had met with serious accident
He could not, however, let the occasion pas:
without expressing his entire and full accord
with the cause which had been so ably and
eloquenty advocated. He would vote tol
Horace Greeley from higher consideration
than that Of mere feeling, because it was hi:
| %, ,.i,ntionS conviotion thar II his 1uty