The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-10-31
PUBLIC SPEAKING.

liens Of Augusta county, we're addressed at
the Court House, by C,l. J. H. Shields, Gov.
H. H. Wells and u S. Senator Wilson, can
didate for the Vice Presidency, on the K pub
lican ticket. The lower floor was densely
packed with white and the galleries with COL
ored people.
Col. Shields FIRST addressed the large audi
ence. He couf,ed himself principally to a
presentation Of the character Of the person
who should stand as the central figure in the
government, and then discussion of the
claims of Greeley and Grant for that position
He reviewed Mr.. Greeley's past public life,
the recorded facts Of his history. his bitter
partisan and sectional sentiments, aud compar-
ed them with the acts aud declarations Of
Gen. GRAFT. stating that if he could be shown
anything in the life Of the latter that approx
mated to the fanatical cxtremities of the form
or he would not vote for him Col Shields was
interrupted several times during the progress
of bis remarks by some ill-m annered, and we
suppose, drunken fellow in the crowd, who
received more than he baryaiued for, aud was
contented to remain quiet thereafter.
Gov. Wells followed. His time was occu-
pied in statements, new to many Of his audi
ence, respecting the action Of President
Grant in favoring the submission Of the test
oath and DISTINGUISHING clauses of the Con
stitution Of Virginia to separate vote of the
people. It was not true, as stated in pub
lished letter Of Gen. Imboden, that Greeley
was instrumental in determining the Presi-
dents course in this matter. The speaker
himself and Dr. Sears, whose mama was men
toned with tho Dr's. consent, had visited the
President, aud called his attention to the con-
dition Of Virginia. Grant promptly remark
ed that he thought the people ought to have
the privilege claimed, but asked the visitors
to state to him the arguments used for and
against the proposition. The request was
complied with and the President at once took
the proper steps to effect the object. Con-
gross enacted the necessary legislation, and
the President, after another visit from Gov.
Wells, Gen. Wickham, aud Judge Alex.
Rives, issued his proclamation, granting the
privilege to the people of this State to cast
vote upon the several obnoxious features Of
the Constitution, separate from its adoption.
He gave infinitely dates and circum tances,
going to show that this determination and
action had been contaminated before ever Mr..
Greeley saw Gen. Grant at Long Branch.
The most effective point presented by Gov
Wells, in his very interesting speech, was in
connection with his criticism of the following
malicious sentences penned by Horace Gree
ley, aud published in the New York Tribune,
August 81. 1868.
'Take the casa of Lee IF we believe in
constructive treason or admitted the popular
doctrine that rebellion should be punished By
hanging, zoe should take Lee as a conspicuous
example. 0faUAe Rebels, ciu1 and military
hewas perhaps the most gifted, the most dam
gerous, and the most eo1uton As soldier,
he carried the confidence Of his chiefto the
camp oJftAe Rebellion, and aided IN so0aying
Virginia into the ,oar a0itlsout cause or prov
ocation Men rebeNed from fanotictsns, ag-
uorance devotiou to sia0ery GEN. LEE WAS
A REBEL FROM AMBITION"
Gov. Wells, in commenting on this vicious
paragraph, gave detailed statement OF the
struggle Gen. Lee had to encounter in deci-
ding to turn his back upon the flag of the
Union, under which he had so often march
ed to victory and around which his heart
clung with the warmest reverence and atfec-
ton, and yield himself in obedience to the
claims of State allegiance. It was from
deep and painful sense of duty he acted, and
not ambition. If "ambision" had been the
spirit that moved him, he would have thrown
his fortunes with the Federal power, which
had everything to bestow-the chief command
Of its armies, during the internecine conflict,
and the highest honors of the nation after ths
war. Gov Wells repudiated utterly the sor-
did motive of ambition attributed to Gen.
Lee by Horace Greeley. and paid a glowing
tribute to tho grandeur of Lees character
his skill as soldier the purity Of his mo
tives, and that the splendid fame, attached to
his name, which would go down through all
the ages respected aud admired by every fair
minded man.
He drew telling contrast between Grant
and Greeley-the substantial, living kindness
aud humanity Of the one, as shown to the
people of Virginia, and the cruel, viodictive
utterances of the other. Throughout Gov.
Wells speech, was we'll arranged, the Incl
dents related fresh and entertaining, and the
effect favorable We have not the space to
follow the line of the speakers argument,
which was frequently interrupted by the coarse
and ungentemanly conduct Of some Of his
audience.
Before he had concluded his remarks, Sc
pator Wilson, who had arrived on the cas-
tern cars was escorted to the stand After
Gov. Wells had taken his seat,