National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-10-15
ABOUT A apuMMY.p
A Virginia Rcminiscence-PasaiO APP
PEAL or Governor wells.

EtNA " NoNtNhNE WFhHs
One OF the most remarkable incidents of the
residential campaign OF 1872, IL not Of any po-
litical contest, occurred at Petersburg and is now
forcibly recalled by the presence OF Colonel Cam
eron's name at the head Of State ticket sup
ported by both Republicans and Democrats with
not only about equal unanimity but with every
prospect of being elected. Colonel Kelly, then
mayor Of Richmond, an orator Of considerable
power, having made speech to a Democratic nu-
dienoe at Petersburg, in which he was so unwise
as to indorse the Ku- Klux and denounce General
Grant as a bribe-taker and an idiot. Ex-Governor
II. II. Wells spoke from the same platform at a Re-
publican meeting on the following evening to q
vast audience composed Of both races and be-
longing to both political parties. While com
menting, near the close Of his speech, upon Mr..
Keily's Endorsement OF the Ku. Klux aud reading
from copy OF the speech printed In the papers OF
the same dav, the speakers eye fell for the first
time upon this extract And now tchdt shall say
Of the dummy driving he horsc along he Jersey beach
taking brides aud ctiiing hiHisoJ PresidentF
Knowing" said he, In n voice choked with
sudden and uncomfortable emotion, Mayor Kelly
as an accomplished lawyer and scholar gentle.
man noted for bis refinement and culture, ordi-
nary courteous and polite. am surprised that he,
of all men. the chief magistrate OF the queenly
city OF Richmond, who knows so well what decent
respect for high official station requires should
have been betrayed into the use of such grossly
improper language; hut as he has asked the ques E
ton win answer with another" aud then, stop
| ping short. trembling with excitement his face
ashen white, there rang out on the still night over
the heads OF that great concoursc of excited
listeners in II voice trembling with pathos but
| clear as a bell:
"who was the matches hero OF Donelson
Shiloh, and vicksburg7
at was the dummy who drives his horse along
the Jersey beach!
"who was IL that led n hundred thousand heroes
to victory over Ice and his before uuconquered
army from the Rapldan 10 the Wilderness. to the
James. to Petersburg. to Richmond and the old
apple tree ut Appomatlox2
at was the dummy driving his horse along the
Jersey beach,
"who was It that planned. that fanked that
| fought, thnt shellcd that charged at Fort Stead
man. at Fort HE'LL and Fort Damnation?
1T was the dummy driving his horse along th'
Jersey beach,
"who was It that selling the tiger of secession b,
the throat and holding him there. said TO those
who cavied, to those who hoped, aud to thosC
who feared. I'll fight It out OH this line lift take
| all summer
at was the dummy driving his horse along tn,
Jersey beach
"Who was Il, after the victory was won and the
Union safe said to Lee and the conquered arm!
whose courage honor and mauhuod he respected
Return to your homes, and you shall not be dis.
turbed by the United States authorities so long a
You observe your parole aud obey the laws OF the
place where you resideT
1T was the dummy driving his horse along tn
Jersey beach
"Who was II that said to Lee, Let the soldiers o.
your army who own the horses in their charge tax
them home with them, for they will need them 70
their spring blowing aud other farm work.
"lt was the dummy driving his horse along th
Jersey beach,
"Who was 1t, when Lee. Wise, and other confed
crate generals were indicted by Virginia gram
jury. said: Tho officers and men paroed at Apo
mattox cannot be tried for treason. Good faith, a
well as true policy, dictates that we should observ
the condition OF that convention
ct was the dummy driving his horse along tn
Jersey beach,
"who was It that said, Six years having elapse
since the last gun was fred is 1t not time that tn
disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth Amend
ment should be removedg
at was the dummy driving his hose along tn
Jersey beach,
"who was It that restored Virginia and recla
her in the full bright, shining garb Of a sovereig
State, and now, calm and serene, unangered, pG
tient and faithful, dares, unmindful OF the threat
the abuse, and the lying ISLANDERS heapcd upo
him. to do his duty alike to friend and foe, to Co
his country. and himself?
:" It is the dummy driving his horse along til
Jersey beach,"
! The effect of that passionate appeal cannot
described. Men wept shouted, nnd sang the n
frain ut the end of each sentiment, ut was IL
dummy driving his horse along the Jersey beach
Among those who heard the whole or part of u
8 speech was Colonel Cameron, and of 1t he said
the time: THAT speech has immJrtaliZed Mai
Kelly, for It will go with him to his death"