Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-07-15
From the Winchester Times, July 9th.]
General John Echols.

From the Winchester Times, July 9th.]
General John Echols
No man In Virginia has gone to the front
with more rapid strides in the last few years
than General John Echols of Staunton.
To his admirable tact and sagacity as floor
manager of the Holiday forces in the last
Gubernatorial Convention, and the skill with
which he poured his modifying oil upon the
troubled waters of that stormy assemblage,
the nomination of Col. Holiday was largely
due. That was good days work. both Tor the
Commonwealth and Gen. Echols himself.
And, again, as member of the last Leglsla-
ture, his course was marked by rare ability, ana
practical craftsmanship of the highest oroer.
To Gen. Echols, as much as to any MEMBER Oh
either House. belongs the credit OF bringing
about the settlement of the vexed question OF
our State debt-a service which enl1tles MIN 10
the gratitude of all Virginians who nave at
heart the honor and welfare of the state.
Then followed his splendid canvass Ior Con
gress and his mastery discussion OF the Intricate
problems of State and National finances upon
the Hustings-in which he lowered ike saul,
head and shoulders above his competitors, and
won nra,ses for his manhood and eloquence alike
from those who agreed with and those who diff
fered from him.
.nd now again the State is under obligations
70 him for removing obstacles which were
thought to be insurmountable to the Western
extension of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad,
whereby the construction of the Big Sandy and
Lexington road will be Immediately COM
menced, and through route secured to the
Pacific coast.
This was work of great delicaey. difficulty
and magnitude-the Importance of which can
not be appreciated without an explanation Of
details for which we have not the time at pres
emit. 1t is the belief of Major Yost of the Valley
Virginidn, who has studied the matter quite
thoroughly, that there is not "another man, In
or out of Virginia, who could have accomplish
ed the result
The Kentucky papers are enthusiastic over
the success of the negotiations aud lavish In
their euccmiumS OF. the General for his part In
it.
In the Lexington (Ky) Daily Express OF the
18th June, leading article in reference to this
great enterprise, and the removal OF the diff
culties to the western: extension, concludes as
follows:
"In this connection we think it due 10 &c n
Echols to express our conviction that ootn
parties, those in New York and those IN Aen-
lucky, are largely indebted to him Tor inc sa9-
isfactory result that has been arrived at. Els
manly, dignified and conciliatory management
of the negotiations had great influence IN
bringing the disturbing clements int perfect
harmony"
1t gives us pleasure to note these ricnly-aa-
served tributes to our distinguished friend.
They show that the public begins to recognize
what Gen. Echols' friends have known all
along, that his capacity for business, robust
1af oil nd
nifed, yet conciliatory bearing, conjoined with
persuasive eloquence and wonderful aptitude
for public affairs. entitle him to rank with the
foremost men of the day, and to adorn any ex-
allied station to which a grateful Common
wealth may in the future call him.
The largest variety Sc. Counter can be seen
| at GLADKE's. may6-f
LAWN PARTY IN NELSON CoUNTy.-The
Stonewall Brigade Band, of this city, attended
Lawn Party given by the ladies of Hebron
(Baptist) church, in Nelson county, about four
miles South of Alton Depot, G. & o. Railway
The Band left here on the regular mail train
and arrived at Alton Depot about half-past
three o'clock, from which point they were con-
veryed to the church in spring wagcns. buggies.
&C. On arriving at the grounds they found
only a few Of the managers present. but very
| soon the people, both young and old, COM
menced pouring in, and in short while the
crowd was swelled to the number of four or five
hundred, among which was very large per
centum of lovely young ladies. The sky was
clear and everything promised most delight
full evening, when, suddenly the wind COM
menced blowing and ia few minutes the
rain fell in torrents. which drove the entire
party from the grove il to the neat little brick
church situated hard by. The rain continued
from about o'clock until about o'clock Ia the
| morning almost without 1ntermission. In the
meantime Senator Smith of Nelson county,
who was on the ground. anxious and willing to
deliver himself Of speech which he had pre-
pared for the occasion, being unable to speak
| from the stand which had been erected in the
grove took possession of the pulpit, and read
| an address of about one hours length, on the
subject OF Patriotism" The speech was a
number one Fourth of July Grafton, but it
| failed to secure the undivided attention
| of the audience on this occasion, as large
majority of the persons present were not
so much interested in the acts and lives of dead
heroes as they were in the honeyed words Of
the living bellies and beaHx. Onegrand feature
| of the occasion was the voting OF G cake to the
prettiest young lady. Strong competition was
| aroused between the two counties of Nelson
and Albemerle-Miss Goodloe being the candi-
date of the former. end Miss Garth of the latter.
The voting was keptup almost the entire night,
and was finally closed in favor of Miss Goodloe,
she having received about one hundred major
ity. There were about fourteen hundred votes
cast, at cents each, making the revenue for
the cake foot up about 5000.
Notwithstanding tine rain, the occasion was
one of very great pleasure, and OF considerable
profit to the ladies of Hebron church, OF which
Dr. Huff is the pastor.
| The ladies of this church and Mr.. Goodloe, Of
| the Alton House. Will accept thanks from the
Band for courtesies shown them on this occa-
sion.