Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-10-08

WAYNEsBoRo', VA, Oct. 9th, 1884.
Last Saturday was a day which will not soon
be forgotten by the citizens of Waynesboro and
vicinity From early in the morning until af-
ter the speaking commenced. people from the
surrounding country gathered into town. it
having been previously announced that there
would be Democratic basket picnic here on
that day at which til Hon. J. Randolph Tuck
err would be one IF the speakers About l2:40
| p NJ, he arrived in town accompanied by Mr..
Chas. Grattan, and about L was conducted to the
old Academy building, in the yard of which a
stand had been erected and seats placed, where
| O substantial dinner was served to the crowd
which numbered about 500 persons as we'll
as we could judge, many Of whom were ladies
| About l:so he assembled the stand ami Was in
troduced by Mr.. R. G. Wright. Chairman of the
Democratic Club at this place. in a short and
neat speech in which he said he introduced t.
them gentlemen who had never been defeat
| ed for Con yress. The Hon. r. Tucker then
stepped forward, aud for two hours and fifty
minutes held his audience almost spellbound
by his eloquence. During the course of his
speech, he said that he had been introduced to
them by his friend as man who had never
been defeated for Congress That, he said, was
true, and there wasn't much prospect of defeat
now. That the only indication of any was
wha. the T" Valley Virginidr" said and IS that
was run by his opponent that didn't count for
much. That he believed the result of this cleo
ton in this district would be to call her the
10th legion of Democracy. That his cleo
ton was beyond doubt, and that he be-
lieved that of Cleveland and Hendricks also
to be- That tie difference between the Repub-
Iican and the Democratic party was that the
Republican party held enc idea. VIZ: Thatthere
was a higher law than the Constitution by
which they were to govern. That whenever
their higher ideas cOnf1icted with the Constitn-
tion it must get out of that way. That the
Democrats he'd that the Constitution was the
highest law of the land. In other words. that
the Republicans ruled over and the Democrats
under the Constitution. That the government
is composed of men and that it should be run
honestly and with due regard to the rights of
the people. That a man is responsible to God
TO- his actions; for it is written THUS far shalt
thou go and no farther" That laying and pay
ing taxes should go together. That he was no
free trader, and that any person who said so,
and read his speeches. said what was not SO.
and If he had not read his speeches and said SO.
he said that of which he knew nothing. That
he was in favor of raising enough money to
run the government economically and no
more. LET the government say what it needs
to support:t and raise that and no more. am
a man performs public duty he must seek for
n o other reward than his conscience and his
God. THANK God, my hands are clean" He
proved that he was friend of the laborfng man
and took his seat amid great applause
During his speech. his son H. St. Geo. Tucker
arrived and was welcomed by cheers from the
crowd. Immediately upon Hon. J. r. Tucker
taking his seat, calls were made Tor Harry
Tucker, to which he responded in 81 short
speech of about 10 minutes. Calls were then.
made for Mr.. Charles Grattan who responded
in 20 minutes speech; after which the crowd
dispersed. Is.
A GOLDEN WEDDING.--It was pleasant and
interesting occasion which caused the assem-
bage at the residence of Mr.. Geo. P. Baker, of
this city, on the evening of the End inst, so
many relatives and friends of an aged pair
who, for fifty years have passed along the jour-
ney fife, hand in hand, in joy and in sorrow,
and now, in the evening of their days, find sol
ace and comfort as they bind to their hearts
their offspring and receive warm greetings of
relatives and friends who have called to rem
der honor to them. Mr. and Mrs. VIM. d. Cooke
celebrated their Golden wedding at that time,
surrounded by all their children save one, Mrs.
Geo. G. Jordan of North Carolina, who could
not be present. Their children present were
Mrs. Geo. P Baker, Mrs James Gordon, of
Richmond Miss Maria E. Cooke, and Chas. l..
and J. Addison Cooke. OF other relatives there
were Mr.. Lyttleton Waddell, of Charlottesville,
a brother of Mrs. Cooke, Mr.. j A. Waddell and
others.
The decorations of the parlors in flower and
wreaths were delightful in the extreme, and
song and music and glad hearts made the scene
a feast fjoy. The aged and loved ones were
taken wholly by surprise and could not restrain
expressions of the emotions produced. purse
of SSS in gold was presented by Prof William
Gordon, of Mr.. Kable's high school, to which, on
behalf of the recipients, Mr. Lyttleton Wad- |
dell responded.
A supmtuous entertainment and "Auld Lang |
Syne' sung in its tenderest tones, closed the |
hours which had witnessed the charming |
scenes that only few are allowed to enjoy in
f1,orr ,.iTern