Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-04-04
Political Meeting at Hamilton.

10 call the Republicans of Loudoun to the nun.
her of six, by actual count, met on Saturday,
n, lst iust, in Academy Hall, at this place,
;or the purpose of selecting delegates to the
,yuchburg Convention. The audience consist
cd of six Democrats, Including reporters. The
eommirtep of arrangements had failed to pr
vide for the comfort of those assembled, eouse-
uu@ntiy we gathered In a bare room without
fire, vet 10 spite of all drawbacks there Was
great ,arimity A seat Was provided for the
chalru,an by placing an old trunk nu the teach
er'S platform, while the Secretary occupied The
platform a, his feet The reporter for the En-
terprisc" had seat on the floor with piece
Of board on his knee for desk. Our district
schoolmaster (Drm had seat on au old Hour
barrel, while the rest were vallously distributed,
resting against posts, on d0orsteps and window
sills.
On moton Of Col. Wm f. Mercier, Hugh K.
Holmes was called to the chair, and hcodorc
Gavcr, OF HiIsboro', was chosen Secretary.
The Chairman stated the object OF the mcet-
ing TO be the selecting Of delega;es to the Lynch
burg Convention, aud the crgauizlng OF the
party for the Presidential canvass.
Col. Mercer then took the floor, and in short
srcech showed to the satisfaction of all present,
that as the cali had been properly circulated, the
meeting was just as competent to attend to the
interest of Tie Republican party as though
there were five hundred present. He there
fore moved that the meeting proceed to the
election of delegates, which motion was uDaDl
muuSly carried
VIM. Brown and COL Mercer were then
elected delegates with COL 5. Il. chamberlain
aud Ed. Nichols as a!tcruates.
The chairmau suggesting that 1t was not ne
cessary that they be residents remark
We suppose was meant to apply to COL S.-the
vote ou the selection OF delegates was unaol-
nous.
The meeting then, on motion of Col. Mcr-
cior proceeded to name the executive commit.
tee, but as great many of the names were
..trauge TO US We did not take them DOWN, as
I'VE thought probably they were acting on the
suggestion of the chairman that ii was not ne
cesSary they be residents.
On motion Of Col. Mercier the executive
committee we're empowered with authority to
Increase their uuUber at discretion.
Op motion of Col Mercier the chairman of
this meeting was Instructed to convene the
executive committee immediately after the ad-
ioulnment OF the CiDciunsti convention
Here some debate ensued between the chair
mau and Col. Mercier in regard to instructiug
the delegates, when, on motion of Col. Mer.
cier, the matter was settled by the unanimous
abortion f the following resolution:
ResolueI. That the domination OF James u.
BIaluv ivr President OF the United States by
the Cincinnati convention will meet the ap.
proval OF the Republicans Of Loud QUO.
Ou motion OF COL Mercier the meeting ad-
uurned. MARTIN.
Visit to York River and West Point.
A few days ago, while visiting Washington
| perchauced to meet an cid and much g.
tecmed friend, whose hand | had not
cIasped for nearly twenty years The meeting
was not ouy cordial, but resulted in a PROMISE
that | should accompany him to Baltimore,
aud from thence, by the noble steamer Havana
Capt. A. G. Nickle, to West Point, at the head
Of York river. 1t was also stipulated that
everything he outer and inner man could wish
should be furnished "tree gratis for nothing
-oameIy, fare, stateroom, cigars, grub,
consisting oil baked sbad, boiled rock, oysters
fried, scaIoped, roasted, slewed, on the shell,
clam soup, chowdur, to which, to give variety,
should be added four kinds of meat, lamb,
ram, sheep, and mutton. The temptation was
irresistible. | weut, saw, and made mote
of the country. fine scenery, and the superior
advantages OF York river and West Pout,
commercially speaking. Ii Is within bounds
~ say hat there is not an inland river between
N.w Y rk aud Florida that offers to foreign
and domestic commerce the advantages which
York river offers. L is within bounds to say
that large vessel, drawing from Is 10 25 feet
OF water, can make three trips from New York,
or auy other Atautlc port, in less time than
the same vessel could make te0o trips to Rich
muud, Baitimore or Alexandra Ii is wlthiu
b,unls TO say that freight and y, ssenSers can
be carried not ony one third quicker from
New York to Virginia, but Ouc-tnlrd cheaper.
Furthermore, passengers and freight reaching
West Pcnt by steamers FROM the oceau aud
chcSapeakc bay secure the best railroad faclll-
ties that Gao be found 10 Virginia for general
travel.
| the reader will take the trouble to examine
map of Virginia. he will see at gaUcc tina,
perfect straight ne eau D. drawn from the
ocean between Cape Charles and Cape Heury
To West Point at the head OF York River, and
that the distance will not exceed seventy miles.
From the ocean to the mouth Of James River
1t is about Is miles; from the mouth to City
Point, the head of ship navigation, IS miles;
from City Point to Richmond, up crooked,
narrow, and shallow stream, 81 miles; total.
l43 miles, Is miles IN favor OF the I ork Rlver
route, and up straight and wide river, aud
deep enough for vessel of 25 teet draught.
Such are the advantages which York river aud
Vest Point offer to commerce over the James
aui Richmond, yet how ludiff reutly the com
mcrcla world realz, aud improve the quick
aud cheap facilities Of This noble river
West Point. at 90 distant day, is bound to
became first class commercial port. Rich
mnnd, with its immense capital and iohu ence,
may oppose its deveopement; and the man
ayers of the Chesapeake and ONO Railroad
may shut their eyes to the fact that West Vir-
rinlu coal iru, aud timber could be carried to
NV York city six days quicker, and one dol
lar ton cheaper by the York River route than
by the way of Richmond. NATURE aud COM
MON SENSE will speedily couquor aiI such tool
lst aud expensive opposition. Commerce never
tails to patron'zs the best, quickest and cheap
est routes. With your permission will refer
io this subject again. COMMERCE.