Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-09-04
The Demoerattc barbecue.

III the lIElul'Ao anu -uoA id"N PvNASN '"N'
the town and at an early hour our streets
were thronged by well-dresSed and good
looking multitude. Cleveland and Hem
bricks Clubs from Winchester, Martinsburg
and all the towns Of our County were rep
resented in full numbers-thoSe of Win
chester, Martinsburg, Middleway. Leetown
and Charlestown accompanied by Bands of
Music. The Mounted Rifles, principally Of
Harpers Ferry vicinity, under the com
mand of Mai. Geo W. Green, made a very
soldierly appearance, well-mounted and
newly uniformed The town was gay with
bunting and other trimmingS-some houses
quite deliberately decorated The process
sion. Marshaled by Col. w. A. Morgan, as
sisted by Eugene Baker W. c. Frazier, w.
o. Norris, y. Conrad, Jno. W. Rider l.. n.
Montague. Charles H. Knott, Jno. +. Foley,
DR.. \. NJ. Evans. L. ID. Gibson and others,
took up the line of March for the grounds
the beautiful lawn and meadow of Mr.. JnO.
I. Colston-about y NJ. Hon. VIM. IL.
Trayers presided at the grand stand, and
introduced the speakers. The afternoon
was consumed by Hons. Z. Willis Wilson,
gubernatorial candidate, and Jno Randolph
Tucker. Ii would be folly to attempt even
a SYNOPSIS ofthese speeches which unclaimed
the attention of the multitude who went to
hear until the going down of the sun. Our
old friend HaycOck said of the next Cover
nor's address: " He says 4 heap of good
things sententious criticism Of COM
prehensive and forcible speech. At the con-
clusion Of Mr. Wilson's speech the call to
dinner was Sounded-twO oxen, twenty-five
sheep, number of hams, chickens by the
score and 1000 roasting ears of corn com
posed the feast and satisfied the whetted APP
petites Of the thousands.
Hon. JnO. r. Tucker was greeted with
rounds of applause. He addressed the au-
dience for over two hours and half-rous-
ing their virtuous indignation by the strong,
fearless denunciation ofpolitical corruption,
and again convulsing them by his inimita-
bic wit, made many times more effective by
the ever-changing expression Of his face and
the significant tone and gesture. At the
first mention of the name of Blaine his look
OF utter contempt, disgust. loathing mingled
with a humorous flash from the eye that
even glasses cannot conceal, brought down
the multitude, and the open air resounded
with cheers and shouts. When he had been
speaking but few minutes, the platform,
being too heavily weighted, gave way and
the main portion of it went down with
crash. After the first second of surprise
every eye turned toward the speaker who
still stood in his place, and his ringing eN-
elamation uphold my end of the plat
form" reassured many who were alarmed
lest injury was done. 1t is impossible to
give on aper even a synopsis Of this able
defence Of democratic principles and severe
portrayal Of the crimes and abuse of power
Of the republicans. twas unanswerable-
figures, which cannot lie being brought
up to prove the evil effect Of the high pro-
tective tariff on the agriculturalist and la
boring man. Did time and space allow we
could give columns of extracts full of pith
and wisdom and Of truth as well. We hope
of the hundreds who had the opportunity
to gain all the information embodied i'll the
address, none failed to hear and all depart
ed more than ever grounded in the purpose
to put down the present rule and install one
OF purity and justice.
At night Gov. Hamilton of Maryland
spoke from the stand erected on the Park
Hotel lot, and all who heard will concur
in the statement that il was one of the strong
speeches of Maryland's honored SON
thought in every sentence, the plain, UNI
vanished statements of practical business
man and statesman who knows the needs Of
the country and is earnest in his advocacy
of Reform in the conduct of governmental
affairs. He was in hearty accord with every
one who heard him.
Gov. Hamilton was followed by Mr. Pen
nybacker of Pendleton county.
In consequence of the hurts received in
the afternoon by Hon. Ben. Martin, he was
excused from speaking. He was present,
however, upon the stand at night during the
delivery of Gov. Hamiltou's speech.
At night there was a torch light process
sion. many houses illuminated fireworks,
balloons. &c. The streets were thronged
until late hour-and a most gratifying
fact to chronicle was the absence, during the
day and night, Of disorder or disagreeable
incidents
The number of persons in town was
variouslY estimated at from five to ten thOus-
and.
The several Committees performed their
respective duties with credit to themselves.
Whilst all were so faithful, SO energetic, &c,
it might seem inyidious 10 name any one
individual we may be pardoned for
expressing thanks to Mr.. Jno. T. Colston
for his endeavors tc make the Barbecue the
complete success it proved to be.
The Junior Cleveland Il Hendricks Club
turned out strongly-day and night, and
contributed largely Judge J. II. holland
is entitled to special mention for having
initiated the movement and for bringing il
IN 10 2 useful present and promising hope.