National Republican., 1883-08-01
MR.. ELAN AT HOME.
His Friends Celebrate His Return to Richmond
With Seronado.
He Acknowledges the Compliment in n
Vigorous Speech.
Spcrjdy Letter.

hlNhm'NDi VA JuiN OIL no iSNopNiV"
given Mr.. William G. Elam, editor Of the
Whig last night at midnight at the Wing
office amounted to an ovation Mr.. Elan re-
turned TO tho city Saturday evening about
dark from his home in Louisa county. He
is almost entirely recovered from his wound
received in the duel with Mr.. Richard f.
Boirne editor OF the state.
Saturday night and Sunday Mr.. Elan was
called upon at his rooms, at No. jO6 North
Sixth street, by many of his personal and
political friends. lie talked freely upon
every topic, was in excellent humor all the
time, Notwithstanding the fact that he has
spasmodc attacks of severe pains resulting
from nervousness, and at times suffered very
much. He is in a fair way to recover, and
can now walk about his room without assist
ance Of any Sort even the use of orutohes.
His presence in Richmond became gener-
ally known Sunday and yesterday afternoon
it was agreed among many prominent read
iustors that serenade should be rendered
him at night A large crowd assembled at
the Whig office early in the evening expect
ing to see Mr.. Elan there. The crowd rap
idly augmented, and between 10 and IL
o'clock Mr. Elan came down to the Whig
building in carriage which had been sent up
for him by Maj. II. +. Walker, superintcnd-
tnI vi HuDllC DTlubluR, WHO WlLu JuNRB l.
II. Fauntleroy, Col. j. $. Browning, Waverly
Ragland esq, and several others, headed the.
sercnadng party. The reception was intendsd
as a congratulation on his happy restoration
to health, and his return to duty under such
favorable circumstances at the vefy begin
ming of political contest which, promises to
be warm and bitter one, and which win seal,
with the honest indorsemepU of the people of
Virginia, the great work of the readjuster
party. About midnight Jardella's band ar
rived and played several appropriate airs As
soon as the sound Of the music died out loud
calls were made for Mr.. Elan. He could not
speak in the open air, but standing in the
large business Office of the Iphig ho responded
to the hearty calls of his friends. As he
stepped forward cheer after cheer went up,
and all eyes were intently fixed upon him
and every ear turned to catch every utter
ap6e. He began by thanking his friends
for their kindly feeling toward him,
both as evidencing their personal and pol,N-
cal friendship and sympathy. Not only did
this grateful feeling go out to those immed-
ately around him, but to thousands all over
the state, who had publicly and privately de-
monstrated, in various ways, so much regard
for him. He said that justice demanded that
he should admit that to the funders of tho
state were due his acknowledgements, for they
had felt humanity for him. To one more es.
pecially than all others-to one against whom
the Lynchburg cabel had inaugurated a
personal war-he said he wished to express
his gratitude. The continued kindness and
sympathy of this man, under the trying cir
cumstances through which he had been called
upon to pass more than once, were facts that
called for generous and heartfelt recognition,
This man was Gen. William Malone. APP
plause His political enemies called him a
boss but, said Mr.. Elan, have known him
intimately for five years. and | can say to-
night, and do say and reiterate it, that he is
one of the kIndcst of men and the truest of
friends; the most approachable gentleman |
have ever known and no man in Virginia
feels so much at heart for the good of the people
as Ger. Malone. Our enemies have said that
Gen Malone directs the editorial management
of the Richmond Why, but nothing is further
from the truth. As manager of the Richmond
Wing, he has the right to do so, but he never
has. 1t is true that he has dissented from the
position sometimes taken by me, but he has
left il to me, and know nothing of his boss
ism except through the funder press In this
man have found more manliness than in any
other in the readjuster party, and he has
demonstrated the noble principles of his po-
litical faith with tender heroism which feels
for all.
He declared that Gen. Malone was the
most forbeuring and patient friend, and the
greatest dcvotee to popular right that he had
ever seen. lie had shown in all his relations
to the speaker that spirit which baptized our
infant nation and made us free.
Mr.. Elan said he had been blamed by q
great many good people for having been, as it
was alleged, engaged in duel, He did not
sec why man should not lay down his life
fer u political conviction as readily as for
religious belief and stand before the world
to Vindcate his convictions when assaulted.
1t had been charged by the bourbon press
that he was abusive aud vituperative in the
Vhig but he would say that If any readj juster
or funder in Virginia who would come to his
Office and read the bourbon and broker
l.
1Olbcarance and moderation. lie regarded it
more honorable to meet danger boldly than
to be dragged to the pillory like criminal
1t was o'clock this morning when the
crowd dispersed, and before they left Judge
Fauntleroy, of the supreme court. was called
for and thanked his friends for their recogni-
tion of his presence with them to welcome
back in honor to his perilous post of duty the
gallant gentleman who has so long and
So ably championed with his pen and with
his blood, the great cause which it seems
needs now no further vindication, since the
formal Endorsement and adoption il has re-
ccived from its enemies ut Lynchbu Z, in
their deliberate and fragrant proclamatons Of
self satisfaction and self confessed political
proiligacy. He said it would not do for him
TO enter the arena of political strife; but as
lorg as he lived no man should doubt his
sympathics, his convictions, and his devotion.
Col. j. 5. Browning, Gov, Cameron's private
secretary, was next called upon, and ina neat
speech said II am conscious that | voice
tho heartfelt thanks of every true man in
Nirlinia when reite rate the warm welcome
to our editorial chief and champion. He Is
the man who offered his life to vindoate the
good name of every man who was bold
enough to think and act for himself and to
stand up for freedom of thought and opinion
in the Old Dominion, and to brand the insult
to every read usterin thoughts that breathed'
and in words that burned and every heart
In, thn &C uf,,fa a,,t
with him in sympathy to the field of honor
and danger. Again thrice welcome, and may
you long live to fight the battle Of human
rights upon old Virgnia'S soil"
The ovation rendered Mr. Elan last night
was indeed one that he might justly feel
proud of, az IL was a manifestation of the
high esteem In which his friends hold him
Though not in the habit Of speech making
Mr.. Elan is very forcible speaker speaks
as he writes and always says what he thinks
Thieves in East Washington.