The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-23
GENERAL KEMPER'S SPEECH A
THE RICHMOND THEATRE.

THE RICHMOND THEATRE.
twas designed by the managers to make
of last night brilliant starting-point, a
grand epoch in our impending state cleo
ton. Friday, the sixth night of the week,
was selected as the suspicious time. For
many preceding days the clink Of hammers
had been sounding in our ears and the "K.
X. KS" Of the 'sKemper Kampaign
Klub'--the scenic artists of this exhibi-
ton and most Significantly named-had
been active in preparing the gunpowder and
bunting with which to create the desired
fury and effect both for the out and inside
of our only and popular place Of amuse-
mcnt. These enterprising gentlemen, with
avenging initials, by the use of means quite
common to such occasions, l. e. by the EN-
ployment of little industry and money,
had procured the requisite flags, cannon
and music, and of course there were at
tracted to the show large assemblage of
persons, most Unfortunately made up.
Indeed we have not seen greater variety
of classes, conditions and colors, nor our
Theatre so threatened with an overflow
since the time when the massive tragedienne
Janausheck, bestrode its rostrum or Ned
Buntline gave his wild Indian performance
of last spring.
General kemper was, OF course, the
cynosure Of all eyes, and was believed by
many to be an able leader, and eloquent
debater. And now, however unfair and
slanderous may have been his speech,
and however strongly we nay be tempt
ed to deny to him "the things that are
his" he is formidable adversary nay,
as the leader of desperate and warning
fiction in our state he is dangerous, and
must be plainly spoken to, boldly animad-
verted on, and fully exposed to an unfor
tunate people who have been deceived
and betrayed by their political idols, alas !
too often.
Our uncharitable and foul-speaking adj
versary shall also have the justice of an
nouncing through us that he was dragged
before the public in an unfortunate state
of health, or, as he several times ex-
pressed 1t, from sick bed His deperL
ment, however, was not that of the sick
man. His step was firm, his gestures yio-
lent, his speech filled with high-sounding
phrases, and, we may add in all sincerity,
soiled with the spirit Of bristling and brut-
ish denunciation Of those who honestly
and periodically stand in the way of his
ridiculous assumption of the right to COM
mand the people and to rule the state.
We have said we saw no sign of sick
ness, and will add that even his voice re-
tanned to the close Of his hour its full COM
pass and tone. His mind may have been
aooqied and doubtless was, though there
seemed to be but little strain on it, and
rarely is after the speaker has passed the
ordeal of cogitation and looking-glass exer-
else, of conceiving and memorizing his
harangue.
We are reliably informed that the speech
both az to matter and manner, was deeply
meditated on by its now distinguished au-
thor. and intended to be able, grave, and
statesmanlike. 1t was also intended to be
little mild towards his opponents, and
very generous and loving towards the ma
ton, the administration, and General
Grant. It was said the noise of the first
great gun of the campaign might be heard
abroad, and itmust, therefore, be loaded and
fred with care but in atonement for this
rascally virtue called prudence. the Kemper
Kampaign Ramon would hereafter, when
carried to the interior, be filled to its mouth
and its discharges be of the most frightful
and thunderous character.
We are not mad, but speak the words of
truth and soberness when we say that The
speech was disappointment, morti6ca-
ton and failure. Weknew that General
Kemper had never during his legislative
career of some ten years been credited by
his warmest admirers with any great par
liamentary effort; indeed, we knew that
never during that period had he ever
essayed to make great argument, but the
warning came to us that he was mighty on
the hustings. Yet to the fair-minded and
intelligent of his audience last night, he
showed not even as a polished declaimer.
We knew he was no lawyer, that
he was unknown to our higher tribunals
and expected no such weighty reasoning as
we are wont to hear on any question from
score of gentlemen in our midst, like
Crump, Hunter Marshall. and Leigh Page,
but we were scarcely prepared to see him
throw reason to the dogs, and go into a
paroxysm Of rage over some black embat-
tied host which to his heat oppressed brain
was ever present fitting frightfully in his
eyes, and making, fools o. all The senses p
Ignoring reason, he dealt alone with these
false creations, and keeping the black Cor
gon constantly in view, did little more than
ring the old alarum bell,n and cry MUIR
der, treason, horror. He abused the negro
numerically, accused his poor brain Of
plotting the seizure of the state. and Oh