Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-07-02
Greeley Demonstration in Richmond.

We learn from the Richmond papers that one
Of the grandest political demonstrations ever
witnessed in Richmond was that of last We'd
nesday night in ratification of the Cincinnati
platform and of the nomination of Greeley and
Brown. 1t was participated in by thousands,
and the enthusiasm of the masses in every fea-
ture of the demonstration was almost without
parallel.
The various Greeley and Brown clubs, ten in
number, turned out in full force. Few persons
had before any idea of the strength of the Or
ganized Greeley movement in that city. The
ranks were filed with working voters, the pro-
cession proper being fifteen squares in length,
while thousands of enthusiastic people lined
the sidewalks and rent the air with applause
The lines were brilliant with torches, lanterns,
and transparencies, and the frequent discharge
of miniature artillery and the display of fire.
works lent not little to the attractions of the
scene.
The meeting was held in the theatre, spaci-
GUS building, where an immense crowd-thous-
ands in number-had assembled long before the
head of the procession reached its destination.
There was great rush for admission, and soon
the building was packed from the pit to the
gallery. 1t was brilliant spectacle. The stage
was decorated with the flags of all nations
Above all foated the flag of Virginia, and the
Presidents chair was draped with the Federal
coors. In the rear of this chair were seated
large number of distinguished citizens, and the
auditorium was filed with an excited crowd.
At half past 9 o'clock, when the last bit of
standing room in the Theatre had been occupied
and the audience began to clamor for speeches,
the immense assemblage was called to order by
General Peyton Wise, chairman of the City
Central Committee, who came forward wearing
Greeley hat. His remarks were eloquent, and
at once aroused the audience to the highest
pitch of enthusiasm. After brilliant exordium,
he nominated his Excellency Governor Walker
for President of the meeting, and the nomina-
ton was received with wild applause.
The meeting within the Theatre was address
ed successfully by Gov. Gilbert @. Walker, Col.
Beverly Douglas of King William county, Judge
T. r. Farrar of Amelia county, Rev. w. W.
Walker of Westmoreland county, Col. VIM. E.
Hinton of Norfolk, COL VIM. Martin of Henry
county, COL W. +. @. Gregory of Petersburg,
Judge Robert Ould of Richmond.
Gen. Jno. d. Imboden read an extract from
a letter received from Hon. Horace Greeley in
which he stated that in the heated days of 1865 |
when the whole North had been embittered by |
the assassination of Lincoln against every South
ern man, he Horace Greeley being asked by
President johnson to suggest measure of |
peace, advised that Robert E. Lee be invited
to confer with the Cabinet on the subject.
While the meeting was going on in the The |
atre, the thousands outside organized others,
which were addressed by Hon. A. r. Holiday,
General Imboden, General Bradley T. John
son, B. Fl. Magruder, ESQ.,, ofAlbemarle, Cap
tain McCau of Roanoke, and Abram Hall of
Richmond. In the mean time the enthusiast
of the crowd was manifested = -,s7v vo- n