Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-17
ROUSING AT THE CALL.
GhAND RALLY OF DEMOCRATS.

6h6ND RALBH or DEMOChhIS.
George II. Wise. Richard r. Bcirnr. Henry
A. atkinson, Samuel b. Witt, and n. N.
smith, Jr., Fire the FIRST Guns or the
Campaign.
Last night the Democrats Of Jefferson
and Marshall Wards invited all Democrats
In The ciiy 10 meet them at the corner of
Twenly-third and n sire cts, there to viii
moss grand isliflcation at the raising Of a
Cleveland and Hendricks flag, aud 10 place
with proudest boast their ehdorsation upon
The great movement of which the gallant
gsntlemtn n named are the leaders.
A tail pole had been erected, and stand
for speakers, decorated with bunting and
lighted by gas, built. Around these between
iOur and five thousand ladies and gentle
men had assembled. JardelIa's band
played stirring air, while an old Confed-
crate and AN eX-Union soldier pulled to the
top OF the. flagstaff the pretty banner. upon
which was the legend, "Cleyeland, Hem
dricks, Wise, and Reform"
Mr. William II. Williams, by request,
presided. and introduced as the first
speaker Hon. II. 4. Atkinson, member OF
the State Senate, from Richmond.
III. A. ATKINSON
Twenty.iour years ago, said Mr.. Atkin-
son. fifty feet from this spot a banner was
uniurled, upon which was inscribed:
"The Union, Constitution, and the Equali-
ty Of the Law Now second banner,
with Cleveland, Hendricks, Wise. and
Reform" was unfured. He spoke OF the
old fisg, the pride and boast Of the people;
Of our land. the home OF liberty and the
asylum OF the oppressed. lie referred TO
the canvass for the presidency. and told OF
the election Of Lincoln and the war. He
dropped the curtain when the war COM
menced and took up the history OF the Re-
publican party since that time, and called
upon the people to put down such party
with its doctrine OF humiliation and
despotism. The force bin, the ciyi!-rights
bill, and the freedman's bureau received
attention. lie told OF the spies and inform
ers sent abroad through our land 10 degrade
people that had promised TO be loyal to
the Union. The peculation, thieyery, and
robbery Of the Republican party were held
up to scorn and ridicule. He showed that
the idea OF the Republican party was thst
the Government did not belong to the peo-
pie, but 10 the rulers OF The people; citing
IA proof bayonet rule and armed force in
vading the cdpitOls OF States South. Then
Democracy said. we want reform, and Til.
den was nominated and elected, but the
thievtry and robbery prevailed, and the
presidency was stolen. They could not
permit the books 10 be opened. This time
when they came to nominate q candidate
they took q representative man. and no man
so well flied that bill as James q. Blaine.
Nr. Atkinson then gave scgtaing review
Oi Blaine's plundcring career az n public
man, denOuDcing him as one OF the most
corrupt men that had ever disgraced a
party. He took up the history Of the Re-
publican party, showing that the depres-
sion in money matters was due 10 the fact
that unjust taxotion, growing out OF Re
pubIican legislation, had locked up the
money in the Government Golfers at Wash
ingtoD. He declared nr. Blaine's pro-
tociive tariff meant pauper or convict labor,
in opposition TO honest labor. Mr.. Blaine
was the enemy Of natiye-born irecmen Of
thi, county. In proof whereof he cited
Biaine's behavior as Secretary OF State.
Blaine was dodger in politics and reli-
sion. I'm Maine be went as Catholic and
changed to n CongregatiOnalist; and so in
politics, be lodged prohibition.
The speaker predicted the election OF
Cleveland and Hendricks and Wise. and
the turning out OF all the rascals a senti-
ment which was Justify cheered.
The Republican rule in the State next
received attention. during which Brown
Alien, and the Petersburg Planters and
Mechanics Bank. and Governor Cameron.
and Francis $. Blair were duly noticed and
seyerslly criticised. We did not want any
more Aahoreism or Readjusteri>m, but we
wanted reform, Cleveland, Hendricks, and
Wise. Cleveland loved the Union because
the Union was made for the people. He
would restore the Government to its pris-
tine glory and beauty.
SAMUEL y. WITT.
Dir. Williams next introduced Mr. SAM
uel Il. Witt, Commonwealth attorney
fer Richmond.
He said the passing OF the years brought
us once again TO presidential contest. 1t
became us 10 look for the weak point OF
attack. He saw the same old flag, with
its blood and grimsge. For the last
four year. we had been fighting a
masked enemy, butt low, unmasked.
be stood forth in all his nakedness and cor
ruption. He complimented the Democrats
OF Jefferson and Mashall Wards, and
warned the people not to be in hurry, it
being time enough to cook the squirrel
after we catch him. Then we wouldn't
need Mr.. Malone, Mr.. Brown Allen, and
Others to tell lis how TO make our Bruins
wick stew. SANDER after slander, lie after
lie, had been sent out TO prove that we were
murderers and assassins. He could stand
this il it came from men across our border,
but the cruelest shaft was that these darts
came from men from our own midst.
lie alluded TO the campaign lies in the
last election and the Danyille and Copish
Investigations, while riot held sway in Gin
cinnati; and denounced the same az cru
sads against the people Of the south. upon
whose ruins the Republican party wanted
TO march TO power. As soon as the Re
publican party found ont we were thrifty
thew would strike AT the source OF Thrift.
He alluded to the stealing OF the Repuoli-
can party and gave au amusing calculation
oi the number OF mules and carts il would
t,ke To- haul the stealage a half mile. Mr..
Blaine said he was the friend OF lri'hmcn.
but while Mr.. Blame was stealing Irish
men were lying in Jail in London. Why
didn't Mr.. Blaine twist the British lions
tail and get them out!
The only warrant ever issued by a
Speaker Of the House was issued By James
G.. Blaine fer the arrest OF Pat. Woods, an
hone.t lrisbmGD, who Slapped Porter's face
FOR ealing him dirty rascal.
Closing. Mr.. witt said there was no
nobl.r place for Virginisns to die than this,
where they sent back, denounced. a
SANDER against their State. lie counseIled
bis hearers to be firm and faithful, and
peace. prosperity, and brotherly love would
be thelr.. hr. Witt was loudly cheered.
RiCHARD =. BIIRNs.
Mr.. Ricbard F Beirne, editOrof the state,
next took the stand, being exceedingly
happily introduced by Mr. Williams. Mr.
Re rne alluded to the work done by the
wards present. and SAID he felt that again
he would labor with them in the cause OF
victory. He knew the strength Of the Demo-
Gratis Of Richmond. and people abroad
locked to them confidently for the redemp-
tion OF the principles OF Democricy. The
campaign had opened auspiciously. Our
candidate was man Of the people, who
had risen honorsbly to the hi-h position he
occupied. The Republican party was II
IL hot and had n