The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-23
GREAT CONSERVATIVE RALLY.
THE FIRST GUN OF THE CAMPAIGN.
BRILLIANT SCENE AT THE THEATRE
Thrilling Speeches by Governor Walk
er. General Kosnper, Colonel :
|f& Withers. MIR. Hunter.
s4sl and others. t=
THE FIRST GUN OF THE CAsspAssl
BRILLIANT SCENE AT THE THEATRE

grand mass-neeting last night hundreds o
enthusiastic Conservatives, eager to gain ad
mittance to the Theatre and TO secure goot
seats, gathered at the front and side-doors 0
THE SPACIOUS BUILDING, y.
aud waited patiently until shortly after
o'clock, when the doors were thrown, oper
to the crowd. A number of the best seats
in the dresS.circle, as well as the private
boxes, had been reserved for ladies, and
were soon occupied by large number, who
hear the speaking.
Withers. and Danicl-were sent of in front
made them, while McCann's splendid First
Regiment band discourscd such popular and
airs as Garry Me Back to Old
Dixie" &C., &c. At intervals
A salute was fred by the Kemper Kiub, who
had charge Of all the arrangements, and car.
ried them out most successfully. 90,
IN THE THEATRE. -. ....
As soon as The balloons were sent off the
band was escorted into the Theatre and
shown to the orchestra seats, Immediately in
front OF the stage. The orchestraand dress
circle and second tier were soon filed to
oyerflowing, and while the eager throng
waited for the officers and speakers the band
dscoursed some OF its sweetest music.
The scene was brilliant indeed. The i'm
mense concourse Of enthusiastic COnserva-
tive voters who were present were scarcely
more thrilled or appeared to be more deep
IL interested than the large number of fair
daughters of our beautiful city, who watched
and listened with an attentive and eager ap-
preciation of the occasion. The scene fairly
eXcelled that of the meeting Of the State
Convention.
THE DECORATIONS.
The decorations were very similar to those
during the Conservative State Convention,
which was held in the Theatre few weeks
ago. Although not quite as elaborate as
they were on that occasion, still in many
respects they were more striking last night
The same enterpriSing committee had charge
of and completed the work.
Flags of the French, the German, Irish
and the Italian nations were gracefully fes.
tuoned in various positions above the stage,
while the national colors and the ever-dear
flag of our own State were conspicuously
and tastefully arranged and first met the eye
of every one who entered the building. The
meeting was appropriately covered with
United States flags, and was so arranged as
10 present very striking appearance. In
the rear of the chair there was a woods
scene. the trees and shrubbery being hung
about with lanterns and miniature coiors oI
this great nation. On either side OF the chair
man sat the vice.presidentS in luxurious arm
chairs, while in the rear of the officers the
hor of q mi a
were seated in chairs arranged in semi
circle.
,. ON THE STAGE.
Just before s O'Clock the members of the
CITY and state Conservative Committees
members of the Kemper Kampaign klub
aud other prominent gentlemen entered, and
as the band played stirring march Go
vernon Walker, General Kemper, Colonel
Wiihers, and others were seated on the stage
Cheer after cheer went up from the enthu
silstic assemblage, and for a time all attempts
at an organization or the meeting were fu.
tile.
When the enthusiasm had somewhat sub
sided, Colonel W. P. Burwell, chairman OF
the City Central Committee, called the meet
lug to order, and in behalf of the committee
and people of Richmond generally, called
Governor Walker to the chair and invited
Hon. Robert Oud to act as yice-president.
and the members of the Conservative press
present secretaries.
Amid the greatest enthusiasm and ap
plause, the Governor came forward to the
front of the stage. ,.......
Remarks Of Governor Walker.
On taking the chair the Governor said tina
he was proud and happy TO see before him
such throng of his worthy fellow-citizens
He was proud to bear such IN honor as tC
preside over this grand meeting. The Coy.
ernor then proceeded briefly to compare the
two conventions which have hut recently
met. He said that those people who had re
Gently met in Lynchburg declared the same
principles which they did in 1869 that tht
principles and platform of the Conservative
Convention is the same rs that adopted
during the memorable campaign four years
ago, and that as we gained glorious victor,
then so we will at this election win ia
more glorious one. [Cheers.l
The speaker urged every voter to do hi
duty, and not rely on the fact that we woult
be victorious and know no such word a!
fail. Gracefully concluding his remarks
Governor Walker turned, and taking Gene
raj Kemper by the arm, introduced to th'
audience the next Governor of Virginia.
Remarks OF General Kemper.
General Kemper came forward and sail
that this immense outpouring of the peopl
of Virginia, this great gathering of the citl
zens of this grand old Commonwealth, wa
au omen that forever and forever would tn
people-her own people-govern her. Wher
the Conservative people called him from hi
quiet home he felt the high trust which wa
paced in him. Never could he hold bacl
either in the councils of peace or the sterne
realities of war when called by his fellow
citizens.
He was here to join hands with those Wht
had aided bim in the past, not to attack tn
Administration nor the Chief Magistrate o
this great nation. But he meant to judge
him in the future rs he had done IN the past
There are no issues, said he, to fight On out
side grounds. No matter what the poiltlci
relations of the great political parties
This country have been, it is the voice o.
Virginia which to-day summons every mar
to the standard of right, justice, and honor
The General alluded eloqueatly to th'
time when the negroes were hrst arrayet
against the white people Of the State, Ions
before the Conservative party was organized
He then took up the campaign of 1903, ane
alluded to the disfrancfisement OF the csti
zens Of Virginia by the infamous clauses Q
the Constitution which the Convention
1867 had voted for as whole. lie atnrmes
before the world that there never was
more incendary paper or document sPrea'
TO the world-one which is more caicuiate'
to array one race against another-than ina Il
remarkable document the speech Of the ne
publican candidate fol. Governor at Lynch
burg. :,
GA voice: SEQ for him." Cheers an
laughter.]
Tne speaker then proceeded to scan an'
criticise the speech of MIR. Hughes -delivefe
~ yyr,hhy,r.r irrinU which his remark