Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-08-15
General Mahone's Speech.

Last night about 10 o'clock large crowd o
citizens, accompanied by the Artillery band
assembled in front of the elegant mansion o
| Gen. William Malone, on Market street, anl
| proceeded to tender him serenade. After re-
peated calls and much cheering, Gen. Malone
clme forward and delivered the following i'm
| promptu remarks:
This distinguished manifestation of warm
| hearted consideration was unnecessary, my
fellow oitizeDs. TO assure me of your attaohmen!
aud esteem. The unmeasured kindness which
| have ever had at your hands in all the rea
tons Of life, and the unbroken confidence with
which you have always honored me in matters
of public concern, form the pride and glory OF
my life.
rs to the particular event TO which your
presence now refers, [ find nothing in all
that was done 10 the furtheranoe of your
wishes and the promotion of my candidacy
which [ do not most cordially approve. Your
cause and every interest were intelligently
and eloquently maintained, and with a pluck
and devotion worthy Of success. You have
cause to be proud of your knightly leaders on
that occasion, and to them am laid under life
lasting obligations of gratitude; nor must omit
here to express the heartfelt thanks due by my,
self and my friends to those generous people in
all sections of the State. from glorious Accomac
10 historic York, from the TidewRter, the PENN
sular, the Piedmont, the Southwest, and in the
Valley, who rallied 10 our banner with kind
slacrity, and who brsvey followed its fortunes
In the result my follow. citizens, shall be
content if 10 one feels more disappointed than
do. For myself / have no regret other than that
which sympathlzos with the failure Of that hope
which generous partially and personal devo.
lion had centered upon me The end VIC reach
ed was in the pursuit of that line ofpolicy which
he'd been considerably formed at the beginning,
formed without reference or prejudice to per.
sons, but with distinct respect to your better in
terests and due regard to tho just claims of
another great section of the Commonwealth. To
your own grand division Of the State, whose
people have mover tatered IN ony cause Of party
or of patriotism, or 10 the Valley of Virginia
was in all fairness due the honor which your
partially would have conferred upon me- Aud
50, follow. citizens. it was determined by my
friends (and l most cordially approved their de-
cisioE) to yield the chances of personal promo.
ton to that sense CT justice and to that wisdom
Of policy which your public conduct has ever
displayed. You thereby recognized and en-
forced that principle of reciprocity between the
sections which, in the distribution Of public
honors, has been too long and too often lisre-
garded.
Felow.citizsns, this canvass has uncovered q
mo st important issue-one which concerns the
harmony of our Conservative party and the
very life Of our State. Upon that grave ques.
ton, that of the public debt, have to re-
peat here, in the most solemn manner, my con.
viction of the correctness of the views which I
have hitherto expressed. The interest of this
people the honor of Virginia, and the security
Of the creditor alike demand that readjustment
and equalization Of the public obligations shall
be made; and am more than ever persuaded
that unless speedy and earnest efforts be direct.
ed to this end bankruptcy, dishonor, and open
reputation must ensue.
That you will, as always in tho past, give
cordial support 10 the nominees of your Con.
Vention, am assured, and if any 6esitates, l