The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-15
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w YTHEVlLLG. VA, Oct. 10.
TO The Editor Of The State journal:
One of the most successful fairs ever
held in southwestern Virginia closed here
on Saturday. The attendance was very
large and orderly, the exhibition OF stock
superb. Beautiful Arno could not surpass
if it could even rival the cloudless skies and
balmy breath of our Indian summer days.
IAN, save the spirit Of man, was DIVINE"
The only event which marred the occasion
was the introduction of the inevitable poll
ticians, headed by his excellency C) "Gil-
bert, the Handsome who harangued the
people for nearly two hours in speech bet
Ter fitted for New York ward ''whipper-
I'M" than for governor Of Virginia. II any
man in this section ever regarded
him as possessing any of the elements
of craftsmanship or greatness, this effort
dispelled the illusion, for verify it was the
mountains in labor--the result jan abor-
ton. His speech was sneering, vindictive
and contemptible--truc to his audi
ence and eulogistic of himself and his
career. We predict that when he is COM
PEELED to surrender the reigns of power
Into purer hands and to wiser head on the
first day Of next january, he will not even be
permitted to battle in Lethean stream of
oblivion, but like Milton's fallen spirits, he
will find that heaven kicks him out, and
even hell refuses to receive him. We won
dered, as we listened to him, if any memory
of his letters, praying the national govern
ment to remove District Attorney Chand-
Ter, some years ago, because he was too
lenient with rebels and would not force
pending conJiscation suits. ever disturbed
his tranquility.
Quietly mingiing in the throng last Sat-
urday evening might have been seen a
gentleman, who, comparatively unknown
in this region heretofore, stands to-day,
confessedly, the most effective popular
speaker that has opened his lips in this
canvass-I allude to Edgar Allan, ESQ.,
or, as he, in spirit of fun and deviltry,
loves to style himself, yankee Allan"
The announcement having been made
that he proposed to speak at the court
house that night, and was ready to divide
time with any or all of the Conservative
orators present, the gauntlet was rashly
accepted by Colonel French, of Bland. 1t
was hoped by the Republicans that "Old
Fayetteu would swallow the bait, but as
he had been hooked before, he played
shy. So we lost some of the fun we an
tlcipated. Allan led off in the discussion
in speech ofan houi, calm, statistical and
logical fortified and sustained in every
point by Democratic testimony-andw when
he closed our opinion and the opinion o.
the audience underwent change as to his
really remarkable intellectual poaoer.
Col. French replied in the usual Democratic
style, bombast, rash declarations, and bad
English. Oh. wasn't it jolly, though, to
hear Yankees rejoinder! Some Conserva-
tives were convulsedwith laughter, whilst
others were white with rage, and wher
Allan excused himself for his want Of
mercy by declaring that he had become sc
accustomed in the constitutional conven.
ton to tanning French calf, that he could
not refrain from practising occasionally,
even now, upon stray kid. The suppressed
merriment ran over, and cheer after cheer
greeted his repartee, wit and humor.
The Republicans want to hear Chandler
out here just once during the campaign
Can't you induce him to come? "One
blast upon his bugle.horn were worth q
thousand men - SO pray dear committee
let us have him. W.