The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-29
JOHN AnsLER SMITH REVIEWED.
SPEECH OF COLONEL JOHN r. PoPHAM AT
ASSEMBLY HALL LAST NIGHT.
"The Boy Conaressman Criticised, but
More in Serrsw than I'm Anger.
SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKS By hEssRs.
BUAGES AND SHIELD.
A Hopeless Struggle Confessed.

A Hopeless Struggle Confessed.
The speech made by Hon. John Amber
Smith at Assembly Hall Monday night, 21st
instant, from It's severity Of tone, plain and
unmistakable language and damaging facts,
attracted very general attention. The Bur
CESS wing Of the Republican party received
1t as mortal offence, and every one OF their
orators who has spoken since that date has
taken occasion to condemn it In unmeasured
terms.
Colonel John r. -Popham, who was not
assailed personally so far as the public could
see. assumed the task OF answering it in de-
tail, and appointed Assembly Hall us the
place and last night as the time for so doing.
The rain, which commenced falling early In
the afternoon and continued late into the
night, prevented that grand outpouring Of
the people expected. At 8 O'Clock there
were probably not more than one hundred
and fifty in the hall, and it was for time
debated by the managers whether 1t would
not be better to postpone it, but as the crowd
began to get accessions 1t was determined to
60 on.
The meeting was called to order by Mr..
I. H. Shield, secretary of the Republican
District Committee, and upon his motion
Mr.. Henry L. PelOuze was elected chairman.
On motion of Mr.. Shield, Mr.. P. II. Kee-
nan was elected secretary, and the chairman
requested him "to step FORTH" which he
promptly did.
Mr.. Shield was introduced as the first
speaker, but he said it had been arranged
that the Hon. John R. Popham should oc-
cupy the evening, and he accordingly gave
way for him.
Colonel Popham at once came forward,
and acknowledged the cheers given him
and the compliment implied by so
large an attendance in such disagreeable
weather. go
COLONEL JOHN R. PoPHAM.
In the beginning he stated that he did not
propose to wage personal warfare against
the Hon. John Amber Smith. His relations
with him were friendly and agreeable. He
was not there to tear afresh the bleeding
wounds made in this contest, nor was he
present to tickle the ears of any of the Dem.
ocratic supporters of Ex-Governor Walker.
He thought no more oil should be poured
upon the fire of dissension prevailing in the
Republican ranks, but rather that efforts
should be made to still the storm and restore
unity and harmony. In entering upon one
Of the most important political contests that
has been before the people for years the
party was about to make fatal error, and
he feared enter upon defeat. The slgnlf.
cance of the contest was much increased by
tile extraordinary candidate of the Conser.
yatiye party. That gentleman has had no.
toriety which, however unenviable it may
be, has made him somewhat national repu-
tation, and so the contest is watched with
national interest, and bis defeat would be
hailed with joy by the Democrats all over
the land. If the divisions in the Republican
ranks could be healed, it is in their power TO
win a certain victory, and thereby secure
the gratitude Of the Republicans of the
whole Union. Look for one moment at this
ex. Governor, this eX candidate for the place
of Vice-President on the Greeley ticket, and
this ex-candidate for the United States SEN
ate. He was nominated for Governor as
Republican, and in bis letter of acceptance
declared that he was then and always
had been a Republican, and more than
that-a Grant Administration Republican.
Scarcely had he been in the gubernatorial
office one month when we find him violating
all these pledges, and finally deSerting into
the camp of the Democratic party, of which
be is to-day one of the so-called southern
leaders. The result of this action has been
to give him celebrity second to none of the
leaders in his party. Not satisfied with this
infdelity he has made fragrant attacks upon
General Grant, causing Republicans every
where to wish for his overthrow. The Ere
sident, the Administration, members OF Con-
gress, and prominent Republicans declare
| that his conduct is base ingrattude, and
there is a price set upon his head, and the
word that should be passed along the line
Is "off with it." Aud he who plunges into
| the thickest OF the fight may hereafter tear
his sleeve and show his wounds, and say
"these were received in Walkers over.
throw" and be sure Of receiving the uni
versal plaudits of Republicans.
For the discord that had been created in
the Republican ranks he asked, Whose is
the responsibility Voice: John Amber.
Smiths For the defeat that menaces the
party, W hose is the responsibility [Noiee:
John Am bier Smiths Thespeaker was ready
to assert, and equally ready to maintain
at personal risk, that John Amber Smith
was in large degree responsible. That
gentleman, it appeared from all the testi.
mony in the case, and from his own personal
knowledge, had determined, until within
recent period Of time, not to be candidate
| for Congress, and as far back as the middle
of the year 1878 wrote letters declaring that
under no circumstances would he be can
didate for reelection. 10 give assurance TO
that statement be caused to be promulgated
through the press the Information thaL
he was going to Europe and was OUT OF
politics, and would not return untll shortly
before or shortly after the election. 10 get
direct information he Colonel Popham) ad-
dressed him letter asking if he was candl-
date. or if not candidate whose pretenSlons
| ne favored, and after Mr.. Smiths arrival 10
Europe he received reply through Colonel
". W. Forbes announcing that Smith was
not and would not be q candidate, and was
entirely out Of politics. 1t was then Colonel
Popham had pledged his support to Mr.;
Rush Burgess. and he meant TO stand
by him until the going down OF
the sun on the Sd day OF November.
rAppause.] He could not now. bring HIM
self to help secure nomination lof Mr.
Smith, which would be but an empty COM
pliment indeed. If Smith had not fed the
country and had boldly announced that ne
was candidate for reelection the present
troubles could not possibly have arisen.
He DELAYED his return to time so late u
was found that his case was desperate that
no remedy but the most desperate coniu
avail, Then his friends began system OF
maneuyering for him and begun an unpa-
triotic and cowardly dallying for time.
Colonel Popham here went into review
of the conduct of Humphreys committee
and criticised its actions pretty sharply, ana
concluded this branch of his argument by
declaring that the organization OF the party
must and should be maintained.
Tbat done, he proceeded to review Mr..
Smiths "ill-natured, ill-tempered, and dis
tempered speech.n and asserted that there