The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-24
onancocls Mass Meeting.

ONANCocK, September IS, 1873.
To he Editor Of The Stale Journal.
The Conservatives of this county
attempted to hold mass meeting at this
place to-day, which in numbers and
enthusiasm was to have eclipsed everything
OF the kind that ever occurred before.
But the result has proved sore disap-
polntment to them, in every respect; not
only in the failure OF their candidate,
General Kemper, whose coming had
been duly heralded, to appear, but
IN the small attendance for such
an occasion. A beautiful and shady
grove in the village had been selected
as the spot for this gathering of the Conserv-
alive hosts. No pains and no expense had
been spared to make the movement sue
cess, and to draw crowd. A grand dinner
had been prepared, and the danes and
damsels Of the Conservative persuasion had
been enlisted to lend their charms and SER
vices to the occasion. A spacious stand
had been erected, and decorated with flow
ers, and the Virginia state flag, wherein the
immaculate Kemper was to ventilate his
rhetoric, and pour hot shot 'into scala
wags and carpet-baggers."
The grove in which the meeting was
held, contains about an acre and half of
ground, and is capable Of holding double
the number of persons that assembled
there to-day; although the assembly was
composed of men, women and children,
and servants. Perhaps there was three
hundred voters present. The audience was
composed almost entirely of residents in
this township, and many of them. fnot
Radicals), failed to honor the occasion with
their presence. l saw several passing by,
cartingpotatoes to the wharf, in apparent in
difference and as feeling more interested
in potatoes than in Kemper and Conserya.
tism. But to the utter surprise of all |
present, it was publicly announced from the |
stand at II a. m. that "Kemper acould not |
come to time''--in consequence of sudden |
attack of sickness after the close Of his
speech at Eastville on the previous night. |
This intelligence threw damper OF the
whole phalanx of Conservatives present.
which looked as if they thought the pres
ent distemper of their candidate was
the forerunner of that fatal collapse
which is to overtake him and them
in November next. They were, however.
assured that although they would be dis.
appointed by not hearing their chosen
standard bearer to-day or at any time dur
ing the canvass, as his appointments else
where precluded his coming to Accomac AT
all, yet General Kemper would find mar.
Iial substitute in Johns. Wise, of Richmond.
who was on his way from Northampton.
and would address them after dinner: nm.
II which, the Hon. Abel T. johnson. and
,ther resident orators would duly regale
hem with 1.-THE feast of reason and the iiow
'fsoul." The latter gentleman, after an in.
reduction by the presiding genius and mas
er OF ceremonies, took the stand, and ba-
'angued the crowd in his usual stvle of
gordV and windy eloquence. OF his effort.
If about thirty minutes duration. il ID on]y
necessary to say that it did his side no
rood, and ours no HARM
After dinner John S. Wise was intro
1uced, who seemed to interest the audience
o very considerable extent. HIS speech
vas replete with anecdotes which amused
ne crowd greatly. 1t was one of diff
erent character from those the people
lere have been accustomed to hear from
he Conservative orators hereabouts,
While pitching into Hughes & Co. with
i'm, his remarks were very gratefully
eceived but when complimenting Gen
raj Grant and the national Republican
arty, which he said CONSTITUTED the bulk ,
i the wealth, intelligence, and integrity
{ the morrill," his remarks fell upon
hem like wet blanket; because in that
9 unsaid all that they have been saving
I the national Republican party in the {
asst. His manner of delivery was good,
nd his effort a creditable one. No doubt he ,
1ould have done much better, if he had /
ad better cause. Kemper's Greeley i
sun had upon hin. chilling effect. After /
i'm, John Nicely and Benjamin Z. Gunter, {
nembers of the Accomac bar, addressed
ne people in response to calls made upon |
hem, but having been called home, I did /
lot hear them. In conclusion, I assure !
GU that the Republican party was never /
tronger IN this county than it now is. q
o not think Kemper will get Gree /
sy's majority of 2l2, and am confident /
hat Hughes will leave the Eastern Shore
nth majority in his favor. Every Re-
ublican who voted for Walker in 1869, :
nd for Grant last year, not only supports /
hughes, but many men who have hereto-
,re acted with the Conservative party !
ow intend to vote our ticket.
ACHATES