Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-10-08

The Enquiremeays that the mass-meeting
held In Richmond On Wednesday night last,
was one of the most imposing and enthusiastic
demonstrations Of the supporters of the Liberal
movement that has been made during this can
vass, and the number and character Of the peo-
pie in attendance fairly attested the interest felt
10 the cause. To accommodate the crowd, ar
rangements were made for speaking at two
points. and stand was erected in front of AS
sembly Hall, on the old church lot, and meet
| ing held there, while the hall itself was crowd
ed to its utmost capacity, and its stage filled
with a large numbered distinguished speakers
and gentlemen prominent in the party. A
band Of music enlvened the intermissions, and
the becoming Of small cannon added much to
the spirit of this occasion
The meeting within Assembly Hall was ably
addressed by Hon. Raleigh 7. Daniel. of Rich
mond, Hon. Jno. Goode, of Norfolk, Hon. Jno.
B Baldwin, of Stanton, and Mr. Chas. S.
Stringfellow, of Petersburg. The meeting out
side was ably and eloquently addressed by Col.
R. E. Withers.
The following is an abstract of Col. Baldwin
speech as reported in the Enquirer:
Hon B. Baldwin, of Staunton, who made
most forcible, practical, and eloquent speech,
in which he discussed most happily and effec-
| lively all OF the prominent issues of the cam
paign now being fought. He recognized, in
spite Of all that had passed, that he had coun-
try yet entitled to his patriotic devotion, and
having this sentiment 10 his breast, he had felt
as one bereaved when he was denied the priv
iege of loving the whole country and the gov
ernmcnt he lived under. He wanted his
country to stand foremost among the nations of
| the earth, proud and conspicuous for all that
is good, and he thought it his duty by voice
and vote to contribute to its honest manage
| ment
He did not believe the American government
| failure-though sometimes he confessed, he
had serious apprehensions, and he knew that
all did not have an enthusiastic devotion to the
country. But he would have his hearers be-
| lieve in the country, though they could not APP
| preciate the administration. He thought that
the opportunity now offered to Virginans to
return to participation in national affairs, by
joining in the great Liberal movement which
has for its leaders, Horace Greeley and B.
Gratz Brown. Grantism or Radicalism was a
thing not for one moment to be thought of by
our people, who had endured ever since the
war the evils of the rule violently imposed up
on Their, by this party. f
The only sign ofreief came from the Liberals;
from the others We had nothing to expect. He
was at the Fifth Avenue Hotel Conference and
the subject Of Mr.. Greeley's qualifications was
a matter of earnest DISCUSSION. Aud he learn
ed there that HORACE GREELEY WAS UN-
DoUBTEDLY AN HONEST MAN; he heard one
gentleman, who knew him WE'LL say that he
stood distinguished among all the public men
Of New Y FORK for his honesty, and the gentle
man asserted that the greatest opposition to
him in New York city came from thieves he
had denounced.
| He 1.-THE speaker) bad asked Chief Justice
Chase, on one occasion, if ever he knew anoth-
er great rnan in the world but Grant Of whom
an aneodote had lever been told. If he pos
sessed loyable and virtuous-qualities, it would
not be SO. Mr.. Chase said really he never knew
a parallel in all the great men of history. 1t
was qnite otherwise with Greeley. He possess
ed that great mag netic attraction which made
him the most popular candidate for the Pres-
dency that had been put forth in our days. You
could go nowhere without hearing pleasant an
ecdotes aud stories about him, and he had Sc
cured fixed place in the affections Of the peo-
pie.
The speaker then told, with great spirit, and
happy effect, seyeras pleasant Stories illustrat-
| ing the honesty, benevohnce and kindly spirit
|
very character the man ought to possess who
offered to lead US to peace and reconciliation.
| He did not take him as the least OF evils he
took him without constraint, and would vote
for him willingly and gladly.
| The speaker then devoted his attention to
the straig ht-outs, and showed up the folly and
recklessness Of those gao would vote for Grant
or not vote at all, rather than to give their ale
glance to Horace Greeley, He hooted at the
Consistent" ideas Of these gentlemen and said
that We might shake hands across the bloody
chasm, but we never could be "consistent"
across the bloody chasm. The man who could
worthy of friend, and would finally lose all he
had. He thought the timo had come when we
must have it plainly understood that ''he that
is not for us is against u.s." that there are but
two parties, and that he that gathered not in
scattereth abroad Ard we cannot and will
not have any neutrals in the camp. The speak
er believed that Pennsylvania and Ohio we're
safe.
The benefits to accrue from the Liberal move
ment were incalculable and successful or unsuc-
cessful, it will make great change IN North
ern opinion, and prove Of Unreasonable service
III securing for the South jaster treatment and
better government Horace Greeley, not claim
| ing to be peculiar friend of the South, ad-
vocates peace to the South as being as impor-
tant to the North as to the South; he takes a
broad and comprehensive view of the subject,
and speaks his sentiments to the people Of all
this broad land.
The conclusion Of Mr.. Baldwin speech was
stirring appeal to our people to do their duty;
to record their votes for Greeley and Brown,
and thereby contribute towards restoring the
country to the condition it was in before the
war; when everybody loved it, and everybody
| labored for its prosperity.