The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-09-18
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The WytheVille Rally.

AS there have been so many misrepre-
sensations in our Democratic exchanges
about the Republican demonstration at
Wytheville, on the Sth, we give the follow
ing from the Marion Patriot and Herald,
whose editor was on the ground, and states
what he saw and knows:
Monday was a day long to be remem-
bered by the people OF Wythe county and
the 9th Congressional district. At an
early hour we boarded the train at this
place, together with many of our fellow
citizens to attend the Republican Ratilics-
ton meeting at Wytheville, fully expecting
to meet with men from all over the dis
trict but we did not expect To meet so
vast an assembly. At every station be-
congregated to take the train and before
we reached our destination every coach was
packed to its utmost capacity. When our
train drew up at the depot and the passen
gers diSembarked, the BOurbonS We're as
tOniShed and when the SPECIAL trains ar
rived from Roanoke they were amazed for
they did not think so many Republicans
could be gotten together in q Southwestern
town. Procession was formed at the de-
pot with the Roanoke Brass Band of %
pieces in front. Immediately following
was carriage drawn by four horses in
which was seated Hon. VIM. Malone,
Hon. Green b. Raum, and Hon. F. 5.
Blair, and this was followed by u long line
of carriges and hacks in which were seated
many prominent men of the Republican
party Then came the Salem Brass Band.
Men on horseback and on foot. The pro-
cessiOn passed through the town and was
everywhere greeted with the waving of
hats and the cheers of those who were be-
ing constantly added to their ranks. Be-
sides the immense crowd in line the street
and sidewalks were packed with people
with their faces turned toward Camp
Jackson where the speaking was to take
place.
Referring to the Democratic side of the
exhibition, our contemporary says:
At 10 O'Clock IN the morning the Bour-
bons having obtained the services of a col
ored band connected with minstrel troupe
paraded the streets trying to rally the few
followers who were present. About II
o'clock they started for Boyd's Hill little
east of the depot, where a few Of the faith
full had assembled to hear Judge Staples
and Congressman Ellis of La We do not
think they had more than 200 people at one
time although some of them claim 400 and
800 1t was small affair any way when
compared with the Republican demonstra-
ton. They (the Bonrbons) looked down
in the mouth" and their smiles we're few
and far between.
And concludes with the following refer
ence to the crowds present, from which
the reader can understand how much re-
lance is to be placed on Bourbon state
ments:
The number of Republicans present was
estimated to be between 1000 and 5000,
while the Democrats do not claim over
500 for their meeting. So it will be seen
by those who failed to attend that the Re-
publicans carried the day. Both parties
were very orderly and we did not hear of a
single row. One thing struck us very
forcibly was seeing those who claim to be
of the white mans and the ''best peo-
ple's partly following in the rear of
colored band, while the party, which, ac-
cording to these same ''best people" is
composed of poor white trash and ne
groes'' was led by two magnificent white
bands.
We met with men from all parts of the
District, and when we inquired about the
campaign we received the answer that
Blaine, Logan and Bailey would certainly
carry the Southwest