The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-15

rem,n,seeuee. Of che Past.
. GLANCE At THE GOOD OLD DAys-soNE OF
TIE MEN THAT FIGURED THEREIN.
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TIRE MEN THAT FIGURED THERETN.
To ne Editor Of the Dtspd,cn
There are many old Wigs in Virgins
whose hearts will throb with pleasure wher
the actions Of that grand old party are re
called to their recollections, ana man;
Young men, whose memory goes not bacs
so far, will be gratifed to hear OF tue aeeo'
OF their fathers. In order 10 give .uen
this pleasure, l propose to relate some %
the occurrences which i saw at the grea
rst,acatiop-mecting OF the young men o.
the limited States Of Henry Clay's nomins
ton for the presidency in Baltimore IL
Nav. 1914. At that time was living In thu
comfy OF Cxlpeper, and with large mum
her Of Young Wings concluded to JOIN tn
great army OF virginians who were or
their way from all parts OF the State 10 par
ticipate In the rejoicing over the homlna
uon of their gallant aud beloved chieftain
When we arrived IN Washington W,
learned that Mr.. Clay was there, th'
guest OF James II. Bradley, ESQ. W.
determined to pay him a visit, ant
nutting ourselves under the command
~ James LYONS, Esq. Of Richmond, thu
Virginia delegation marched 10 Mr. brau
ley's house, where they were received D,
r.
LYONS introduced us In handsome speech,
to which Mr.. Clay responded IN eloquent
words that sent thrill Of Joy and exlilta-
tion through the hearts OF all OF us. An
sttemnt was made by some one to open the
gate and to 90 on the porch to shake MI.
Clay by the hand. Mr.. Lyons objected, ana
reouested us not to do so, as II would fatigue
MI. CLAY too much. Mr.. Clay, in manner
iudescribable, but which magnetiZed Ills all,
remarked, eff the Virginians will not
come in and shake hands with me, Will
come ont and shake hands with them"
And so he went down our line and took US
ALI bv the hand, and never was there hap
pier set OF fellows, who gave expression 10
their joy by making the welkin ring with
burrahs for "Henry Clay, OF old Ken
lucky"
when we reached Baltimore We found
the CITY full OF people. All the States OF the
Union were represented. 1t was estimated
that some two hundred thousand dele
gates were present. The hotels were
full. the boarding-houses were full. and
the priyate citizens OF that hospitable
CITY opened their houses for the entertain
ment of the visitors. All seemed to be in
spired with the sentiment that all honor
should be given to their gallant leader.
whose eloquence. magnetism OF character,
and statesmansbip made him the best be-
loved pubic man OF his day. and every
thing was done to promote the comfort and
Measure of us all. The managers OF the
Convention had prepared splendid ban
ner, which was to be presented 10 the dele
cation of that State which was most largely
represented in proportion to its population.
IL was a beauty. 1t was over six feet
square, and cost $500. The front side was
a delicate lead-colored satin, in the centre
of which was painted an excellent portrait
of Mr.. Clay on a shield, supported by two
figures, representing agriculture and COM
merce, resting on appropriate emblems
over the shield was an eagle. and in the
were factory, railroad. ships.
&c. Under the two figures and the portrait
were cornucopias and the motto, "In All
Assaults Our Surest Signal"
The reverse side was blue ground, on
which was painted. IN the form OF wreath,
the coat OF arms Of each State, inside OF
which Was written the motto: "The Union
Our Strong Defence; To Foes Impregnable,
Priceless to Friends" All that could be
done in the way OF silk cords and tassels
was added. The staff was Of ash wood,
cut by Mr.. Clay's own hands from the
forests OF Ashland, and ii was surmounted
by handsomely-carved eagle.
After careful count Of the delegations
L was ascertained that Delaware had OBJ
tained the prize; but Virginia was only 43
behind her. Reverdy Johnson, Esq, pre-
sented 1t, and Senator John NJ. Clayton re-
ceiyed it on the part OF his delegation.
The procession was the largest ever
raw. We marched down Baltimore street
TO the Canton race-course, where the vast
multitude assembled to hear the speaking.
The head Of our line fronted on Baltimore
street. and we saw most OF the procession
pass by before we fell in. Ii was headed
by the president, vice-presidents, and men,
bers of the Nominating Convention-some
In open carriages and some on foot. First
after them came the prize banner. and then
the Maine delegation and others down to
Virginia. All sorts of banners were intro
duced 10 heighten the effect and humor OF
the occasion. There was an exhibition of
the trades. Mr.. Wethered, congressman
from Maryland, was in one OF the cars
weaving. The material he wove was cut
into pieces and thrown out to the crowd,
who eagerly scrambled for 1t. Then there
were cars on which hammering tin, curry
Ing leather, threshing wheat after the old
STYLE with flaiD, and with a machine
after the new; there were live coons borne
aloft. and one with dead chicken-cock
beneath him; there were two mll-boys
from the Slashes riding on their bags. The
Delaware boys bore blue chicken-cock
aloft. One delegation was headed by
ooon-banner, and their musicians all wore
fur-jackets and coon-skin caps with the
coon-tails hanging out behind. Then
great ball passed us, and 1t was cheered as
II moved on. 1t was above twice the
height OF man. II was drawn by men
ahead, with ropes, and was balanced by
wooden axle passed through its centre.
BY and by it came to our turn,
and at the order OF our Chief Marshal,
General Pegram, we marched off. We
marched with hats off; and this mark OF
respect gained us the appreciation OF the
ladies, who showered upon us loads Of bou-
Quets, and they clapped their hands and
waved their handkerchiefs. Such pyramids
and arches and iestoons OF beautiful faces
In the streets and at the windows and on
improvised standing-places above us and
about us were never seen before. Banners
and strings OF globes were stretched across
the streets, swinging to the breeze and
displaying all the colors Of the rainbow.
There were several magnificent colossal
arches over the street decked out with
evergreens, flags. and gilt eagles, and bear
ing numerous inscriptions. The sides Of
the houses were hidden by the numerous
heads looking out from the windows and
thousands OF temporary balconies dressed
10 the gayest style, where the people were
waving fiags and handkerchiefs. The street
presented solid sea Of heads, in the centre
OF which, ten abreast, the procession seemed
the only moving current. The great ball
stood out from the picture in elephantine
proportions, and moved along as though of
is own volition, and along went the .sship
Tariff" beautiful model of nautical
architecture, constructed on the scale of