Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-05-11
RALLY1NG AROUND THE FLAG
Large Democratic Assemblage.


leaders of the great Democratic army was
furnished to our citizens on Monday, the Sd
Of May, at Winchester. The sons of our
beautiful valley turned out in force. Berke>
ley and Jefferson in this State, and Clarke
and Frederick in tho old mother of States,
on whose hospitabls shores they assembled.
were largely represented. The enthusiasm
which prevailed on all hands would seem
more natural in the very midst of an excit.
Ing and closely contested election, than at
this early day. before the respective candi>
dates are fairly in the field. but one could rot
witness the intense interest manifested, the
hearty appreciation of the occasion displayed,
without feeling of delight. Ithas mean
ing. unequivocal aud plain, and speaks in no
uncertain tones, proclaiming as it were with
prophetic voice, that an undivided and we'll
disciplined organization, the exponent OF
true Democracy. will guard the watch towers
OF Liberty in Virginia, and assist the sister
States in the great National battle from
which only few months now divide US.
Captain VIM. L. Clark, of Winchester, in
short but telling speech. introduced the
different speakers to the audience There
were present the Hon. Daniel W. VOORHEES, of
Indiana. Gen. John B. Gordon of Georgia,
and the Hon. George FL. Pendleton of Ohio,
all men and names whom their countrymen
"deligbt TO honor"
Mr. Voorhees, opened with brief but elo-
quent address, contrasting in his beautiful
md I'M inn Uo he =
the principles AID the tendencies of the two
great political parties-one the advocate OF
strong government, and tho other the guar>
dian of the liberties of the people, the States
and the Individual, and union of Constitu.
tioual limi,stions. The Republican party.
he said, might DO we'll described as Deef33ie,
some party, who not content with attendin y
TO their own business was constantly en-
dsavoring to transact that of everybody else,
as might be very readily seen by noticing the
principles that they seek to cncraft upon our
government, and tho conduct of its members
in the Senate, in the House, in the depart.
ments, and in fact throughout tho Union
wherever its influence permcates. He ex-
borted the citizens of Virginia to stand true
to the faith. and to assist in stemminc the
tide OF dsstardly Radicalism that is sweeping
over the land, threatening aud i'm perilne
our institutions, dwarGng our resources, slow,
ly undermining our liberties, and bringing
in its wake q sure and indubitable destruc,
tion of our Republic. We must cast out
these false Gods that they have set up in the
house that our fathers have founded. and we
inherited, and which it is our dnty to pre.
serve pure and intact for our children and
their posteri,y.
think l know, he said, the Southern
mind, and since the war it's tendency has
been this A feeling of Indifference 20 what
occurs at Washington. disregard of Ma
tional affairs. The Southern mind thinks
thus: Let the Republicans run the general
government, We cannot help it, we will at
tend to our State, our county, our local gov
ernments He said that to q certain extent
thia was right, but that now the time had
come when they must look to National affairs.
or the party of Grant and his followers would
- surely seize upon the country and their
rights, their institutions, both State and gem
cral, as shat we breathe to-day the balny air
OF this most beautiful valley, or talk together
In this delightful grove. lie alluded to
former visit some years ago, under different
auspices and in different times, to the far.
famed Shenandoah, and pictured with the
beauty of his own puculiar expression its
fertility. its scenery and its people.
Mr. Voorhees, was loudly and repeatedly
oheered, and call after call was made for
1.-THE tall sycamore of the Wabash" There
lie an eloquence in his words, an earnestuess
and sincerity in his manner. fuency in his
utterances. that electrifies. Without apparent
effort, without demonstration and with never
ceaslng harmony he speaks to an audience. at
once riveting their attention and leading
them TO conviction. He is irresistible.
He was followed by that gallau. Southern
soldier and distinguished statesman. so we'll
known IN every Southern home, Gen. Cor.
don, whom he designated as the Murat of
the South. There were present many who
had fought under his leadership, aud shared
with him the privations and defeats. as we'll
as the glory and the victory of the four yeszs'
struggle. and a round Of welcoming cheer,
repeated and repeated, until the very hills
seemed to answer, greeted his rsappearanco
upon his old camping ground after nearly
fifteen years' absence.
II was an interesting scene. The memory
Of brave deeds and noble acts can never die.
and the gratitude of the people of Virginia
for one who so couspicuously and calamity
stood with them in the hour of need, was
there exemplifed. The love of the soldier
the. recollections of hardships endured
creates chord of sympathy that must be ex-
pressed. The imperialistio Blaine might
call it treason, but whatever name tits known
by. sit is just"
BE thspkcd his friends for. their kind re,
eeption, aud spoke eloqueutly of the changes
that time and industry had wrought since he
had last visited Winchester. or the memories
1t exci'ed-of marching brigade, the serted
ranks. and all the circumstance OF var-,nd
e1ngfa'u'ated them upon their energy dis.