The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-09-10

Public Meeting in BuclkiDghnm-Fine
Sneeela of Colonel IIughes-Discus-
sion Befwecn MR. RnmsdeIl and Mr..
Mckinney, ana Rev MT Der ry-Etnc
Enect OF the SpeaIinG-A Harvest Day
for the Republican Party.
BUCKINGHAM COURTHOUSE,
September s, 1873.
To he Editor Of me State Journal:
The gubernatorial campaign in this
county was opened this day. Colonel
Hughes led off in speech of about two
and a half hours. lie proceeded TO dis
cuss intelligently the needs of Virginia in
the way OF internal improvements and the
development of the resources Of the state,
all of which he argued could be more sue
cessfully accomplished through the agency
of the Republican party than the other.
He then proceeded to discuss the various
platforms of the Conservative party, show
ing the inconsistency and hypocrisy of
the various positions assumed by them,
and ably indicated the Republican party,
showing that the only hope Of Virginia
was through the success of Republican
principles, and that to secure national aid
toward internal improvements of the state,
we should act in unison with the great
national Republican party.
The speech of Colonel Hughes was one
of the most able, argumentative and instruc.
tive ever made in this county, and gave
great satisfaction and had the finest effect.
Captain p. w. Mckinney, Conservative,
next spoke, and bitterly attacked the Re-
publican party, charging Colonel Hughes
with Inconsistency and making personal
attack upon Mr.. Ramsdell as carpet-bag-
ger, attempting with all his might to preju-
dice the minds of the people against Mr..
Ramsdell and the Republican party by re-
opening all the issues of the war and fail
ing to meet or discuss any issue made by
Colonel Hughes. His manners wele violent
and offensive to such degree as to disgust
his own friends, who united heartily in the
applause which greeted Mr.. Ramsdel
throughout Mr.. Ramsdell's reply.
MIR. G.. ?. Ramsdel followed Mr.
Mckinney, in one Of the ablest and mos
telling speeches which | ever listened to-
lie criticised the reference made by Captain
Mckinney to carpet-baggers, and showed
that he was so blinded by social ostracisu
and party bitterness that he was unable t,
do justice to himself or the party he repre-
sented. He showed conclusively if tn
epithets of carpet bagging was applicable
to any party it was to the Conservativ,
party. They had elected Gilbert G. Walk
er, the beautiful, as governor of Virginia
who for the last four years had misrepre
scented the state, ard by his counscls ha
plunged the state into ruin. The speech Q
Mr.. Ramsdell, from the beginning to tn
end, drew down the most deaiening ap
plause, which was enjoyed by tn
best citizens of our county, and eve
the friends and admirers of CAP
tain Mckinney confessed that he wa
used up man, and the bitter irony use
by Mr. Ramsdel in reply to it, was equa
to that used by Mark Anthony over tn
dead body Of Caesar. The captain fecln
the force of the blows, left the hous
before Mr.. Ramsdell had half concluded hi
speech, bearing great beads of sweat upo
his face.
At the close of Mr.. Ramsdell speech
Mr.. j. b. Ficklin introduced Mr.. Berry
an ex-minister of the gospel, who undel
took to open all the war issues, an
sustained Kemper and Withers upon the
war record without answering any Of tn
issues made, or discussing any question
either state or federal. Mr.. Berry close
before the expiration of the time allote
him, to the great modification of h
introducer, having made an utter failur,
Mr.. Ramsdell replied with few happy an
amusing remarks, taking pity upon tt
eX-minister.
This has been a great day for the r,
publican party, Many heretofore Coz
servatiyes have been convinced of I'll
truth of Republican principles and give
in their adhesion to the Republican part,
They will, in November next, cast the
votes for Hughes and Ramsdell. We sha
carry this county for the Republican par
by a largely-increased majority.
VERITAS.