Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-25
LOCAL NEWS.

LIE LATHAM ioiso Sio"o Vi
persons gathered together 10 the Market space
last night in response to the invitation of ex-
Mayor Hugh Latham, among whom we're
many citizens of Irish descent Mr. Latham
addressed the asscmblage from one OF the up
per stalls for about three quarters OF an hour,
and said he had requested the attendance to
explain his position before the people, and to
speak Of matter between himself and another
person. If any Of the other candidates we're
present who desired to address the meeting he
would give them an opportunity to do 80. 1t
might have been observed that there was one
popularity about the call for the meeting and
that was the request that his Irish fellow cit-
zens might be present tonight as he wished
to speak to them particularly, and this be
would proceed to do 10 few moments. 1t
had been asserted by some that there we're no
issues upon which discussion could be based.
but the speaker thou hit there were subjects OF
great Importance to the people OF Virginia
that mi ght profit US much if we would discuss
them, but he did not propose to do so tonight.
He had stated in the printed hand-blll clrcu-
lated to-day, which 90 doubt many of those
present had read, that he was one of the most
active opponents of the change effected 10 the
city charter. There We're some gentlemen who
was at this present time opposed to the change.
He desired to say that be is now as much op-
posed as he was when the change was made
He was free to say there were certain officers
be would still leave 10 the power OF the City
Council to elect, and with this declaration be
hoped everyone would understand his position
on tie subject
He would speak to his Irish fellow citizens,
and say 10 them he had been Informed that he
would not get single Irish vote iu the city OF
Alexandria, but be did not believe the asser-
ton. The reason assigned for this feeling
among those friends was that MIR. Nash had
failed to be elected Superintendent of Gas,
and the whole censurc OF that failure had fallen
upon the speakers head. NJ person but the
speaker knew how he had voted upon that oc-
casion, but be would now publicly announce
that he voted for Mr.. Jacob Rnxbury, and a
part OF the reason inr that vote was the base
and treacherous Conduct of NJ. II. Nash. Ap.
plause. Every drop of blood that coursed
through his (thc speakers) veins is Irish, but
he is as good Virgiuian as stands on Virginia
soil, and among the first Impressions received
from the lips OF his mother (for he had been
deprived OF the COUNSEL of his father 10 his
early YOUTH were adherence and detestation
Tor treachery and baSeuess. He presumed he
understood something Of the Irish character,
and he would say that one of its most promi-
nent features Is hatred to deception and trcach-
cry IN every form, and if there was one senti.
mcnt IN bis Dature stronger than another it
was that. TO illustrate the baseness of NJ H.
Nash he would detail some of the incidents re-
iatlng TO the election for members Of tue pres.
ent City Council. MIR. Nash and himself are
now and have been superintendent of the Con-
servatlve organization for the First ward At
the ward meeting to nominate candidates for
the City Council he exerted his every energy
to defeat the speaker for that position, which
ne had perfect right to do, and for which the
speaker entertained no ll-w against him
On the day of the election, when passing to
the polls, particular friend of the speaker )
handed him (Nash) ticket containing the
names OF the regular nominees, of which the
speakers was one, and Mr. Nash invited the
friend to see him deposit the ballot, which this
friend declined to do, but informed another
friend of the speakers that Mr.. Nash had
voted the ticket having seen him 90 to the
window and Insert bis arm as If 10 the act of
voting. Later in the day Mr. Nash approach.
ed the polls again and voted. The second
friend remarked to him, mike you voted be-
fore, and at the same time noticed the ticket
ln the hand OF the commissioner of election
which had been received from Nash was diff
ierent in appearance from the regular ticket,
aud the difference was easily discernabe. Was
not the trick in the first instance base? Was
not the act In the second instance treachery in
the extreme? Could any honest map stand up
and fail to denounce such baseueas? If, with
this knowledge, can be found an Irishman who
will denouDce him 1.-THE speaker) for declining
to support Mr.. Nash, then he has totally mis-
apprcheDded the true traits of the Irish char
accr. For himself, he wished to be under
stood as holding Mr. Nash up to the public
scorn. He did not fear that be would lose the
vote Of many Irshmen after this exposal of
Mr.. Nash's baseness. Why should he 1.-THE
speaker) be held responsible for the defeat of
all the other Candidates whose election depend
ed on the City Couucil? He had been held
responsible for the defeat of every man who
bad applied to the City Couucil for position
and been defeated, and in many instances he
had been denounced and threatened by some
who act as if nc had the power of casting thir.
teen votes, though he had never made the
slightest effort to defeat any candidate 10 the
GUY Council; and there was no member 10 the
Council who exerted less influence among the
members than himself.
The speaker said he had been accused bv
those with whom he differed with stubborn.
ness aud mu!lshness but they always laid claim
to the greatest Ilberallty and the most yielding
dispositions; but he was proud to assert that
10 all the controversies of public charac-
ter in which be had been engaged, VIII D
they had been submitted to the Court he had
been 10 every Instance sustained. When he took
possession of the Mayors Office in 1870 the
Sunday law was then 10 force, aod he then gave
his oplnioD that the law was not worth the paper
1t was written upon, aud when the question was
taken luto the Courts after he had retired from
office the law was there declared nuty. As
an evidence of his consistency and irmness he
referred 10 the attempt Of Major Hambrck to
obtain the release OF two negro women whom
he had committed to the work house in 1866,
when he was first elected Mayor. The Freed
men Bureau Was in full force, and the Provost
Judge, Major Haubrlck was a power in our
midst. This officer had invoked every power
and influence IN the city OF Washington to ac-
compllsn Ills purpose, aud hoalIy informed the
speaker that he could obtain an order from Gan
Anger for their release. The snnaLor -