The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-08-10

tuous why does he attend the meetingf
OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN.
Dloxham, Cali, Davldeon and Perry
In Key West - Crane DennocrASsc
Demenstrasfon- - Cnmnon DoesnamE
Flags Rlylmg - DmmAs Rlmyamg-
People Cheering-Fetes--lll
ti0ns - Decorations = Terch. A4awht
!, RrocessIons-8erena - EneNaems
Speeches-Large and Drillfans An.
dlences-Wildest Enthnsiasm.
Editor Floridian AS your paper is, par excel
lence, the leading Democratic paper in the State,
and 1t may be of interest to your great number
Of readers TO know how the campaign was
opened on this Bright little Isle Of the Sea"
l take the liberty Of forwarding the subjoined
account of the same.
We had been apprised by telegram that the
Hons. w. d. Bloxham, Wilkinson Call, r. H. n.
Davidson and E. A. Perry, would arrive here on
the morning Of the 24th OF July Arrangements
were accordingly make to receive them, and
from the earliest hours of the morning the city
was alive and on the tip-toe Of expectancy, until
the steamer came in sight about O'Clock, which
fact was announced by the booming salvo of
cannon whose laundering salute was continued
until the landing of the distinguished visitors.
Flags were streaming from nearly all our prin-
cipal buildings, and our harbOr was gay with the
bunting of our shipping. The steamer was
boarded by the Health Officer, and the Hon L.
w. Bethel our candidate for Lieutenant Gov
ernor, and Walter G. Maloney, Jr., Chairman of
the County Executive Committee, joined the dis
tinguished party; the vessel then steamed proud
ly up TO the wharf of F. J. Moreno, ESQ, where
the reception committee, consisting of the County
Executive Committee, accompanied by a few
prominent and influential citizens were in wait
ing with carriages to welcome and escort our
noble standardbearers to the Russell House,
where arrangements had been made for their
stay during their visit
A mammoth brass band consisting of two or
three bands consolidated. assisted by several
young gentlemen, musicians, who had volun-
teered their services, and all under the direction
of Professor G. E. G. Blake, were also in wait
ing, and while the steamer was approaching, and
during the time occupied by the reception and
landing, discoursed patriotic and soul-inspiring
music. The wharf was crowded with hundreds
of our citizens and amid their deafeniDg shouts
and cheers, our guests were seated in their car
riages and driven off 10 the hotel, the band fol-
lowing in two large omnibusses After resting
short time, carriages were again taken, and,
followed by the band, they were driven around
portion OF the Island, and TO the palatial resi-
-
princes, where an invitation had been accepted
to breakfast. l shall not stop to describe the
beautiful and elegant place, which is situated on
the highest and coolest portion of the Island,
short distance out of the city, where few of
our wealthy citizens have erected their resi-
dences nor will l describe lis tastefully ar
ranged grounds, sparkling fountain, graperies,
arbors, &C. suffice 1t to say that amid such sur
roundings and all the comforts and elegance that
wealth and refined taste could devise, suggest
and procure, our party consisting of fifteen gen.
tlemen sat down TO a sumptious repast, of which
the arrangements and appointments were simply
perfect. For three hours we enjoyed The feast
of reason and the flow of SOUL" At the close of
the banquet, the Secretary of the Executive
Committee read q letter fro:a General Winfield
Scott Hancock which had been very opportnnely
just received. This called out loud enthusiasm
after which We strolled over the grounds of our
host, as well as those of w. D. Cash, ESQ.,, d.
rectly opposite, and admired the beautiful shrub
berry, tropical plants, trees and magnificent fiow-
ers. We then took carriages and proceeded to
the hotel where streams of citizens constantly
poured in to meet and shake hands with our
illustrious guests. This was the first visit of
Messrs Call, Davidson and Perry to Key West,
but Bloxham was our old popular idol, and
wherever he went and wherever he appeared
shouts of Bloxham, Bloxham would rend the
air, and hosts of old friends would crowd around
him, and iEtroductions TO new friends would
follow.
Drives around the city occupied the evening.
Senator Call had received telegram from his
wife, stating that his child was sick, and he and
General Perry were undetermined up to o'clock
P. n. whether they would remain or return by
the steamer; at that time, upon the receipt of
more urgent telegram, they decided to 20. This
was very unfortunate and deeply regretted. The
executive committee had been hoping that they
would not have been forced TO leave, and had
not issued any call for meeting nor given no.
tice that any speeches would be delivered, and
it was found that they would 60 before the peo-
pie had an opportunity OF hearing them. But
the band coming to the Russell House 10 give q
about $50 o'clock P. n, and an Inn
mense crowd gathering, calls were made for Sen
ator Call, who responded In mastery, able and
most eloquent address. General Perry followed
with vigorous and rousing speech Short and |
brilliant addresses were then made made BY |
Hons. Bloxham, Davidson and Bethel, all Of |
which were listened to with rapt attention and |
received the plaudits of the Democratic masses,
who made the welkin ring and ring again.
Messrs. Call and Perry departed about midnIght |
on the steamer, amid universal regrst. /
On Sunday morning Mesars. Bloxham and |
Davidson, with some Of the executive COMMITTEES /
and few other gentlemen, visited Fort Taylor, i
and after thorough inspection Of the work. or |
1nance, &C., were rowed back to the U. g. Light |
house steamer " Laurel," !" where they were agree
lbly entertained by her gsntlemanly and eourte-
ous Captain, p. L. Cosgroye They then re-
paired to the hotel for dinner
In The afternoon, by invitation Of w. d. Cash,
Esq, they were driven over his Salt Pond prop
srty at the upper end OF the island.
On Monday, the 26th, they held . public re-
ception from II A. n. to r. n. and were waited
upon BY hundreds Of persons, among whom were
large numbers Of Cuban and colored cssisens.