National Republican., 1883-09-06
THE VIRGINIA CANVASS.
A Campaign Conducted on the Old Time
Barbecue Plan.
Tho Readjusters Being Well Received
Throughout the State.
Special Dtspatch.

RICHMOND, VA, Sept. 5.--There is ono
feature Of the present canvass in Virginia
which hkens this contest to others conducted
years ago, and long before the two sections
bore arms against each other upon tho fields
of battle. 1t is the introduction and revival
of barbecues in the Hanover senatorial dis
trict where Gen. Wickham, the leader of the
straightout faction and the nominee Of the
democratic party, is running against Col. A.
w. Jones, the nominee of the coalitionists.
This revival Of an old time custom has as
sumed most amusing character, and has ex-
cited more interest among the people of that
district than anything else since the memors-
BILE days Of the old log cabin, when the
tocsin Of political war, "Tippecanoe and
Tyler too" was heard all over the country.
Gen. Wickham doubtlessly remembering
what an influence grand barbecue had over
the yeomary in those days has seen fit to ro-
vive the ancient custom, and 1t Is announced
that between now and the day Of election
he will give barbecue at every precinct
OF township of any note in his district.
Flaming circulars have been issued and sent
all over the district, making the announce
ment which has beon caught up by the avor-
age citizon and repeated 80 often that now
everybody In the district knows that the po-
litical meetings to be hereafter held by Gen.
Wickham and his leading supporters will be
followed by a general cheering on the part of
the suffragants of the toothspme barbecued
shoat, and the bountiful eatinS Sof the palata-
BILE Brunswick stow.
Col. A. W. Jones, the coalition nominee, not
to be outdone, has decided to adopt Gen.
Wickham's plan and go him one better That
Is to say, in addition to the barbecue and
stew, he will have desert In the shape of or
tolans on toast, with liquids thro wn in. Tho
voters are rejoicing and some of them have
announced, in an ironical manner of course,
that If the barbecue plank in the plrtform of
the two candidates is strictly adhered to, the
mortality In the district will greatly increase
between now and November, and gout will
be the most prominent disease in the category
of physical ailments.
Col Jones will put the ball in motion to-
morrow at Montepelier in Hanover county,
by ygiving,a grand "lay out"--a synonym for an
old time barbecue-to which the public gener-
ally are invited. The whole day will be
spent in speech making and eating, and it is
expected that the attendance will be very
large. A delegation from Richmond will go
out and jolly time Is anticipated. Gen.
Wickham will hardly be on hand, as the
dishes to be served to him from the stump by
Col. Jones will hardly suit his political ape
tite, and especially would it be distasteful to
the general If Col. Jones, in that clear and
forcible way so characteristic of him, remind
the people of the fact that Gen. Wickham,
claiming to be simon pure straightout re-
publican, accepts nomination at the hands
of the democrats.
1t is asserted that there is some probability
of the adoption in other districts of the bar
becue plank.
Such movement would have great effect
ut democratic meetings where the speakers
have to talk against time, and it would have
tendency to cheer them up little while
advocating cause unsupported by argument.
1t would ut the same time rekindle the fires
of boyhood and of early manhood in the
hearts of old men who have reached their
three score years, and delight more in recall =
ing the old barbecue days of Virginia than
anything else, and who, on account Of their
age, cannot stand up to windy haranguo by
o democratic stumper. hour after hour, and
live on ridiculous assertions relative to the
consistency of the Virginia democrats. They
want something more solid, and this is where
barbecue can do its best work. a
Hon. II. r. Farr and Congressman Mayo
left to-day for Carrsville, Isle of Wight county,
where they will speak tomorrow. Bourbon
speakers are expected to be on hand to discuss
the issues with these two gentlemen. Col. j.
s. Browning, who was nominated by the CO.
alitionists or liberal readjusters of Washing
ton, was billed to speak, but he cannot be
present, as he will leave tonight for Wash
ington county to open the canvass in his be-
half there against Jonas Kelly, an ardent
supporter of Abraham Fulkerson and al de-
voted friend of Parson Massey. Kelly was
elected as readjuster to the house of dele
gates at the last state election, and went over
to the funders with the big four. The demo-
Gratis renominated him q few days ago, and
are now praising him as if his political record
was clear as crystal. A gentleman who ar
rived i'll the city to-day from Washington
county to-day said, Jonas is making q des-
perate fight, and is sustained by shape, beauty
and talent"
At Fairfax, on the twentieth, there will be
another barbecue, and all along the line John
Hooks cry in the English camp, "Give me
beef! Beef! Beef" is being echoed and re-
echoed throughout the Old Dominion, and
there is n probability of Hooks exclamation
smothering the buncombe cry Of "This way,
freemen," even with the democrats, made by
Newberry when he let his anger overtop his
judgment, and made him desert the party
that put him in office.
To use common expression, the barbacues
in the Hanover district will take the cake .
Gen. Wickbam has money, so has Col. Jones
and they will both spend it. The question is
Which will spend the most? While this in,
terrogatory is awaiting an answer the people
of Hanover and Caroline are fattening, and
young pigs are getting scarce. The situation
is amusing and the candidates seem to enjoy
1t as much rs anybody else.
NO io"uJuotSfs opoucu bho hOH-
day in eleven counties. The news comes that
the readjuster speakers were highly satisfied
at their reception In the various counties
and the leaders Of that faction declare that
the outlook for the success Of tho readjustel
party is glorious.
In the discussion at Cumberland Court
House yesterday between Col. Sam Coleman
and Pat McCaull, esq.,, the former, who lay'
great weight on his title, asked Mr.. McCaul
where was he during the war. The colone
was catering to the confederate veterans pres
ent, and asked the question with an air o.
confidence that seemed to tell him that he
had his man. Quickly responding, Mr.. Nc
Caull said; Being too young to carry
musket, / performed mission that an
proud of. belonged to boy company tha
got their mothers and sisters to cook breaC
and fry ham and carried it To feed tho hungry
confederate soldiers passing by the way" L
was such good hit on the colonel that tn,
laugh was turned against him, and he neve
afterwards referred TO his war record.
The Duty on ROund Iron.
Tho customs division of the Treasury de