The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-10

IspecIal correspondence OF the Richmond Dis
! patoh.]
Grand Day at Spotsylvanin Court
house.
GOVERNOR KEEPER AND JUDGE GOODRICH
SWEEPING EVERYTHING BEFORE THEM
JAMES L. POWELL COMPLETELY yANQUIsH-
ED-THE NEMHAN LION RAMPANT.
OCTOBER Z. 1870.
Yesterday was big day at Spotsylvanla
Courthouse. The regular Conservative
Convention OF the Thirteenth senatorial
district met here yesterday pursuant to no.
tice.
The Rcadiusters for the district were
here in full force and held their Convention
also. There was tremendous turnout OF
the peopIe-the largest we have seen here
for years-attracted doubtless by publlca-
ton of notice that Ex-Governor kcmper,
Hon. George D. Wise, and Judge John J..
Goodrich would address the people on the
issue OF the day. Il was understood that
the. Hon. John Paul would be present. also
to take part in the debate.
| The Court disposed OF the business be-
fore it as quickly as possible, so as to allow
the use OF the courtroom for public speak
ing, and soon after - O'Clock, the court
room being crowded and every door and
window filled with people, the meeting was
called to order by John M. Holiday, county
Superintendent, who introduced Governor
kemper, and announced that Hon. j. L..
Powell would follow, and the debate would
be closed by Judge Goolrick. The Gov
erner was looking splcndidIy, and his very
| first words seemed to touch a chord IN the
hearts OF all the brave and gallant men who
had so often faced danger and death in de-
fence Of their rights, their honor, and the
glorious old Commonwealth, and the ap-
plause was great and prolonged. The Gov
ernor spoke about an hour and half, and
his noble and impressive manner and states
manIke utterances carried conviction to
every candid mind. Bis array OF facts and
figures was irresistible. He presented the
subject in such plain and iorcible language
that none could fail to comprehend.
Throughout his speech he was listened TO
with the greatest attention, and closed
amid great applause.
Mr. Powell then took the stand, and
opened his speech with grand eulogy
upon General Kemper, both as soldier and
statesmau-as one whose ability and GAL
llntry as 4 soldier, whose purity and talent
as a statesman, are acknow lodged by all
parties and clrSseS OF men: and the Whole
audience united in loud and prolonged APP
plallse.
Mr.. Powell then proceeded to state his
objections to the debt settlement, quoting
frequently from the reports of the Auditor,
and reading short extracts from Governor
Kemper's messages and report OF confer
ence with the bondholdcrs; and was con-
siderably taken aback when he was more
than once requested by Governor kempcr
to read on Il little further, aud let the people
hear all he had said on the subject. But
Mr.. Powell continued to read little extracts.
trying to make 1t appear that Governor
Kemper had approved OF (forcible) read.
iustment; whcreupon the Governor rose to
his feet, and with great dignity and eject
declared that il Mr.. Powell would read on 1t
would be moved in that very message he had
condemned such q course as 1.-The taking OF
the property OF another by putting in fear"
winch, in other words, is equivalent to
highway robbery. Mr.. Powell then pro-
ceeded to give in, opinion Of the Auditors
report which he considered contradictory,
incorrect, and utterly unreliable (he evil
deutly forgot that the Auditor, Mr.. Taylor,
is a sworn officer Of the Commonwealth,
and has throughout life proved himself
worthy Of the confidence and esteem OF
alD. Mr.. Powell spoke fully an hour and
la half. He was very courteous throughout,
and appeared to be entirely honest and SIN
cere in his views and his arguments, and
was frequently appauded by readiusting
friends. But bis speech failed TO receive
the attention given to Governor kemper,
and toward the close OF his adds ess it was
almost impossible for the chairman 10 pre-
serve order, so great was the amount OF
talking and lack OF interest. His speech
evidently failed in effect.
Judge Goolrick next came forward and
commenced his speech, displaying much
tact and good TASTE. The room was soon
again crowded, aud the Judge warmed up
to his work. He always speaks we'll, but
he more than surpassed himself on this oc-
casion. He gave Powell, Malone Co.
blow after blow, amidst the most enthusias-
tic applause, and then turning to the record
of Powell individually, he gave him thrust
upon thrust with most unexpected anu
telling effect. The cheering was tremen-
dous. The strictest attention was given 10
Judge Goolrick's speech from beginning 10
end, and it is. very highly eomplimented.
Major j. Horace Lacy was then called for
and appeared upon the stand, and made one
of the best speeches OF his life. lie, too,
"weut for" Mr.. Powell, handling him with
GLOVES of. COUSTYaAN.