The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-06
LOCAL MATTERS.
Grand Republican Mass Meeting at the Old
African Church Last Night

Grand Republican Mass Meeting at the Old
African Church Last Night.
Pursuant to the call of William L. Bailey,
ESQ.,, chairman of the third congressional
district Republican committee, large audi
ence assembled in the old African church,
on Broad street, to hear the speeches of
the distinguished gentlemen who were an
nounced to address the meeting. The
church, which is of immense dimensions,
was crowded to repletion. When we
entered the building, it was with difficulty
that we could make our way through the
aisle, every available standing space being
taken up by the eager listeners.
The meeting was organized by the cleo
ton of Gen. Williams @. Wickham presi-
dent, and John Oliver, Esq, secretary.
General Wickham said, that in making
his Acknowledgements for the honor done
him in calling him to preside over the as
sembly, he would only briefly refer to the
great questions Of the Presidential election,
which was of such vast moment to the
people of the country.
He said that for the first time in twelve
years were the people of Virginia to have
the privilege of voting for President of
the United States. Their choice was now
to be made between Gen. Grant, the candit
date of the Republican party, on the one
hand, and Horace Greeley, the candidate of
what the Hon. James Lyons, of this city,
had, in speech in the Louisville Conyen-
ton few days ago, aptly termed the
dolly Vardcno party.
In General Grant we have man tried
in many positions and found truly capable.
As a soldier he was without peer, as a sta
tesman his administration of the affairs of the
government have proved him master hand.
\ The foreign policy of his administration
has been so managed as to command for
our government the respect Of the nations
of the world, and TO procure the satisfactory
settlement Of the most difficult subjects of
diplomacy, without the slightest disturb
ance of our peaceful relations with foreign
powers, at time when any such disturb
ance would have been disastrous to every
interest of the country.
The Treasury Department had been man
aged with an ability never equalled in the
annals Of this country since the days of
Alexander Hamilton. In short, every de-
partment of the government was managed
with consummate skill and ability. Gen.
Grant has proven himself worthy of the
station and was entitled to reelection.
On the other hand, we have Mr.. Greeley,
doubtless a very worthy, good tempered
individual, but utterly unfit to preside over
the interests of q great country. Filled with
every kind ofcrank and whim--running after
every new ism that presented itself, good
doubtless in theory, but utterly devoid of
practical judgment and sense. lie was
supported by men here who denounced
Gen. Grant for harshness to the South, in
the face and with full knowledge of the
fact that Gen. Grant. as the sworn officer
of the government, merely executed the
laws applicable to the South which the
Congress of the United States had passed
at the earnest solicitation of this same Mr..
Greeley, to whose suggestive brain and
theoretical ideas, backed by the influence
of his paper. the South is indebted for most
of the evils which have burdened it since
the war. Gen. Grant has ever been bet
ter friend to the people Of the South and
had far more sympathy for them than
Horace Greeley.
The ultimate result of this Presidential
election was not question of DOUBT.
General Grant would be elected by one of
the most triumphant majorities by which
President was ever chosen in this country.
But there is a matter, small, it is true, in
the general result, yet specially interesting
to Vrginians and that is, how the vote of
this State will be cast. lie believed that
with proper efforts, and the adoption Of
judicious modes of campaigning, the State
would be carried for Gen. Grant. He would
get the whole Republican vote. Between
Grant and Greeley many Democrats would
vote for Grant, and still more would alb
sent themselves from the polls, all of which
would tend to Grants success in the
State.
The attempt to build up enthusiasm for
Greeley has proved signal failure here. The
people Of Virginia can never be made en-
thusiastc for one who has never even pro-
fessed friendship for them until he had
personal need for their votes.
Gen. Wickham concluded his remarks
by urging united effort to carry the State
in November.
Ex-Gov. Wells next took the stand in
response to loud calls, and delivered a tell
ing speech, Astounding in happy hits and
anecdotes. lie also gave cheering accounts
of public sentiment in the North upon the
political questions of the day, predicting
large Republican gains whenever the people
were called to the polls.
Governor Wells was followed by Rush
Burgess, Esq, in sharp, pointed address,
in support of true Republican principles,
Grant and Wilson, aud j. Amber Smith,
our candidate for Congress in this dis
trict.
The meeting was then addressed by John
II. Smythe, of Washington city Col. Ira
Ayres, of Ashland {; Col. J. II. Shields,
and Lewis Lindsey, Esq, of this city, when
at hali-past eleven a motion to adjourn was
carried.