The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-03
fpcur,,ten for the Dispatch, and ropUbllshtd b'
ruutst.l

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The old citizens OF Richmond who took
an interest In national politics In 1910 can
never forget the intense excitement that
prevailed here during the presidential cam
paiyn of that year. The nomination by
The whig party OF General william II. mar,
ris,n. of Ohio. the hero OF Tippecapoe,"
and Vjrcinisn by birth, kindled flame OF
en,busiasm throughout the land unsurpass-
I'd In the history q the Unied states. The
insn,ring watchwords OF The Wing party
wste "lnion OF the Wings for the sake
Of The Unionv and "Tippecanoe ana ~
Ter too"
were everywhere erected for the holding oil
campaign meetings.
The Eagle Hotel. which occupied large
portion OF The ground on the south SIDE OF
Main street between Twelfth and 1bir-
teeptb, and on which, since the war, nave
been erected q number OF spIendid business
edi6ces, was, short time PREVIOUSLY, ue.
stroyed by fire. On portion OF the vacant
ground. and about the spot where now
stand the large busness-houses occupied by
George Gibson, Jr., and j. i. laDcey
Co. The Wings OF this city, at that time III
an 0yerw helming majority, erected huge
structure composed OF rough, undi essed
rine-logs for campaign meetings During
The erection Of the cabin, in which the bfst
men OF the city took an active, personal
part, many were the pleasant Jokes when
passed between the cheerful wings ana
their Democratic friends. one CT tbe hu-
morous incidents that l remember was the
fo,Inwiny. Democrat asked Mr.. Peter w.
Grnhbs. first vice. president OF the Club,
..Wby don't you skin your polesS"
"Neyer mind" replied the follower OF Tip
pecanoe, well do the skinning at the polls
in November next"
These jealous and patriotic men, after
wears Of fruitess effort TO obtain control OF
The Federal Government, inspired at last
with tie hope OF victory and OF the estab-
Ijsbment OF their dearly-cherished princl-
lies, repaired almost nightly to This rough
iy.buiIt temple OF liberty, to meet with each
other aud 10 hear words OF cheer ana en-
coursg, ment from some home or foreign
speaker who might be expected or hap
pened 10 be present.
The writer Of these "reminiscences was
then a youth Of only seventeen years, but
having been strictly reared in the Wing
school OF politics, took lively interest in
This exciting and memorable campaign, and
WAS rarely absent from meeting.
I A "Tippecanoe and Tyler Club was
Organized, II which Mr.. James Lyons YVES
elected president. In stature about six feet
two inches, with handsome classical iea-
lures, Of symmetrical physical proportions,
with lofty bearing that gave assurance OF
high and proud lineage, and courteous in
manner, Mr.. Lyons commanded the admit
ration ana respect OF all with whom he
came in contact In addition to all this,
lawyer by profession and training, he was
greatly distinguished for his fine logical and
rhetorical powers, and was Therefore often
called upon, and eSp6 cially in the absence
Of foreign speakers, TO entertain and edify
tie yast aSsemhlages over which be pre-
sided with the utmost grace, dignity, and
ability. Indeed, he WIS the most elegant
presiding officer that | have ever known.
Raleigh Travers Daniel, distinguished as
great party leader as well as for bis chaste,
brilliant rhetoric ana rare powers OF debate.
having recently passed away amid profound
lamentations of the entire State, whose
faithful Acknowledgement and almost idol
he was al the time OF his death, Mr.. Lyons
now remains, so far q | am informed, the only
living representative Of RichmOnd's noted
sons who actively participatedin the stirring
events that took place. at the sod wing
Log Cabin" Richmond at that day cOulG
herself boast of large number OF distin-
guished Wing orators. In addition 10 Mr..
LYONS and Mr.. Daniel, those whom most
readily recall were Benjamin Watkins
Leigh, Wyndhi IN Robinson, sydney ;. BaX-
ter, William H.. Mcfarland, Robert G.
Standard. DR., and though Mr.. John Minor
Bolts did not reside within the corporate
limits, | shall inscribe his name upon this
roll Of dstit gusbed Wing citizens and
orators.
There was, however, 10 lack OF foreign
speakers; for the great moral and political
earthquake that with its upheaylugs agitatcd
al 10 fra IN rircIlfn
ference brought 10 the surface rich mines Of
intellectual treasure, and host Of brilliant
orators who held themselves in eager readi-
ness. in ,ponse TO the bug OF party
and Of duty, to visit any point, no matter
how remote, and AID In adding fresh fuel 10
the Wing camp-hres that had been kindled
upon every hilltop and in every valley
from Maine TO Louisiana.
trust that may be excused for pausine
here to pay tribute that admiration aud
affection demand OF me 10 the memory OF
Young Rober. T.. Cutler, OF Nelson, who
with powers OF mind Of almost boundleS,
range, a,toni>hed and entranced with hi:
magic elcquence the citizens of Richmond
at the Log Cabin in 1910, but who, alas
like brilliant meteor, 5000 passed from
view aud was heard OF no more.
But the speech made nj the Log Cabin
which produced the strongest impression
upon my friend, ard which by universal
acclaim surpassed all OF its com petitOrs
was by William G. Preston, OF South Caro-
Ina What shall l say OF this great speech
How shall | describe il Before tho
weight and magnitude OF the responsibility
OF an attempt 10 do 80 bow with humble
dillidence and dls,rust of my own made.
quaie powers. To do ii justice it would
require pen OF fire like that Of Ma
cauly, or Of Writ Ii would demand
brains and descriptive powers like those
tha, immorialzed the speeches of Burke
and OF Sheridan in the trial OF Warren
Hastings, and that of Patrick Henry in The
famous " Parsons case" Hence shall bf
satisfied II / only succeed IN conveying a
partial impression OF the effect OF the
speech, and Of the chief features conuectl d
with tbs memorable occasion.
The Log Cabin, erected for the accommo-
dation OF about three thousand persons,
was in this instance filled 10 Its utmost ca
pacily. Attracted by the great fame Of the
orator. the wealth, the refinement, and The
int,lle Of the city here assembled. The
learned and distinguished members OF the
bar and pulpit, and the physicians and edi-
tors, for which Richmond was then so IN.
mons, Mingled with the vast throng, and
added fclat and inspiration TO the occasion.
The rain descended in torrents, and YET
hundreds OF persons who were unabl. 10
gain admiitance within the cabin remained
outside. TO see and hear what they could
through the intersiices between the logs.
Expectation was aroused 10 the highest
pitch, and when Mr.. Preston made his ap.