The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-01

N!',o!I.. lI.O!I7.
THE Excl loR RAILY.
A MEMORABLE EVENT IN OUR POLITICAL
HIsToRY-TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE As
sEMBLED TO HEAR THE SPEECHES.
SPIRITED AND SUCCESSFUL DEMoNsTRA-

One OF the cheering signs Of the canvass,
admitting OF mo misinteFp Fpretation, is she.
increasing interest in public demonstrations
and the attention and spirit with which the
efforts OF the speakers are received. Every;
meeting Is larger than its predecessor, and
the enthusiasm growsa as the day OF election
and the hour OF victory approach. Last
night the Excelsior Club, assisted by the
Clay Ward Actives, thoroughly aroused the
Shock Hill people, and succeeded in get-
ting up meeting sas large and as successful
as any ever held In this city. 1T was all that:
the most ardent friend OF Tilden and Hem
bricks could have desired, and Tar exceeded
the anticipations OF the most hopeful.
The speakers stand was erected imme-
diately in front OF the club-room, on Broad
between Second and Third streets access
to it was gained through one OF the VIM
dows. The stand was decorated with bunt-
ing OF every color, flags of all nations, splen-
did lace curtains, and an abundance OF ever
greens tastefully displayed. From the cen-
tire OF the canopy was suspended u magnif-
cent chandelier, Immediately in rear OF
which was life-size picture Of our gallant
standard bearer Of this congressional dis
trict, Governor Gilbert G. Walker. On the
front was handsome arrangement OF gas
Jets in the shape Of semi-circle, and in the
middle Of which were jets forming the let
tiers T. and Fl.
The illumination was brilliant; and the
arrangement OF the stand was pronounced
by all who saw it one OF the most beautiful
ever erected within our city. There was q
fine display Of fireworks, and most OF the
stores on both sides of Broad street between
Second aud Third were Illuminated.
The Excelsior Club assembled at I
o'clock, and, headed by >Kessnich's band,
with General r. i. Walker as Chief mar
shal, proceeded to the headquarters OF the
different clubs OF the city. After marching
through the principal streets they escorted
their sister clubs to the place OF meeting.
The Clay-Ward Actiyes, with Colonel R.
B. Berkeley as president, L. s. Edwards as
secretary, and E. N. Crump and NJ. r. Pace
as marshals (all the members unitormedl
attracted much attention.
The meeting was called to order by his
Honor Mayor w. c.. Carrington, who de-
livered brief opening speech. He success
sively introduced Colonel w. r. Berkeley,
OF Farmvlile; Major Camm Patterson, OF
Buckingham; hon. B. johnson Barbour,
of Orange; General W. B. Taliaferro, Of
Gloucester; and Judge Farrar, of Amelia ;
all of whom discussed the issues Of the
canvass.
Most people are prone to exaggerate the
numbers composing q crowd, especially
where it is in parts compact and In parts
scattered; but bearing this in mind, good
Judges confidently state that ten thousand
people were present last night. The mass
extended from one pavement to the other
OF that unusually wide street, and up and
down as far as the speakers voices could
reach. There were many ladies present.
They came not merely to see the Chinese
lanterns and fireworks, but to hear the
speakers; and a large proportion Of these
dear supporters of Tilden and Hendricks
remained patient listeners throughout.
In the club-rooms were suitable refresh
ments, of which many invited guests par
took. The Committee on Reception and
Refreshments consisted OF Messrs. F.. p
Turner, JaH. Parater, and j. r. Fisher.
The Committee OF Arrangements, tt
whom is due the credit of arranging th'
stand and surroundings, was composed
Messrs. Charles H. Epps, 7. A. Brander
Ben. 4. August, T. L. Skinner, John Bur
CESS, and. 81. Fl. Wilkins.
Committee on Light and Fire-W orks, Ro
A. Standard and John Tyree.
The Excelsior Club and their earnes
helpers, the Clay-Ward Actiyes, well ant
} truly did their duty in this undertaking
} and deserve and will receive the heart,
plaudits and cordial thanks OF ali Of tn
friends of Tilden and Hendricks. 1t Is
big work to push to successful consumma
ton such meeting, and the C0nservatiy
party cannot be too grateful to those who
forsaking ease, give their hearts and hand
to such practical patriotism.