Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-09-16
Treat ENTHUSIASM DEEP FEELING |!
SPEECHES BY GEN. FITZHUGH LEI
AND MAI. JOHN W. DANIEL.
Strong Men In Tears-True ElOquence,
&c., &c., &c.

VIZ, NO's VIZ
Last Saturday was glorious day for the
Democracy of this good old county. 1t
will long be remembered as the day on
which the most enjoyable political meeting
that was ever held in this county took place.
From the beginning to the end, It was truly
ga feast Of reason and a flow of soul.'-
The hearts Of OFF people were moved as
they had never been before at political
meeting. During the admirable speech of
Gen. Fitz Lee, the gallant standard bearer
of the Democracy in this campaign, the
hearts of the people were touched most SEN
sibly, and at the conclusion of Maj. Daniels
speech, which was a specimen of true ora
tory, the feelings Of the audience were
stirred beyond their powers to control them,
and throughout the vast audience strong
men, "unused to the melting mood,'' were
so overcome by their emotions that their
hearts swelled, and tears, which they could
not restrain, filled their eyes and flowed
down their cheeks. 1t was an unusual, if
not Unprecedented, spectacle at a political
meeting, and will long be remembered by
those who witnessed it. Such scene may
not again be witnessed in lifetime. 1t is
much to be regretted that the Courthouse
was not large enough to accommodate the
audience. Hundreds Of persons were, in
consequence, denied the pleasure Of hear
ing these admirable speeches. If these
speeches could DO heard by all the voters
in the State, the Democratic ticket would
be elected by an overwhelming majority.
On the arrival of the Valley train at half
past o'clock on Saturday morning, Gen.
Fitz Lee and Maj Daniel were escorted
from the depot to the Virginia Hotel by the
Stonewall Brigade Band and large num-
Der of citizens.
The hour for the meeting to be held in
time that hour had arrived, the Courthouse
was filled to its utmost capacity, whilst
hundreds were unable to obtain admittance
for the want of room. Quite number of
ence, and among them the widow of the
distinguished and lamented Gen. j. e.
Stuart, who presented to Gen. Fitz Lee
beautiful pyramid of flowers. The greater
part of the audience consisted of intelligent
and representative men from different parts
of this county. It was such an audience
in character and worth as but few counties
can furnish, and just such as to inspire the
speakers to do their best
A few minutes before the speakers ar
rived, the tall form of our distinguished
citizen, Hon. A. H. HI. Stuart and that of
his venerable elder brother, Gerard B. Stu
art, Esq, were seen to enter the building
together. They were politely escorted to
to seats near the stand.
Capt. Jas. Bumgardner, Jr., whose Office
it was, as Chairman of the County Demo-
cratic Committee, to introduce Gen. Lee,
approaching the 'sfitness of things" re-
quested the venerable statesman, Hon. A.
n. H. Stuart to perform that dnty.
In a short time the cheering that was
heard outside announced the approach of
the distinguished speakers. AS they Ell
tered the building, they were greeted with
cheer after cheer, and were escorted to the
stand. The cheering was kept up till Hon.
A. H. Fl. Stuart rose from his seat to intro
duce Gen. Lee. AS soon as there was suf-
icient silence for him to be heard, Mr.. Stu
art, with voice tremulous with emotions
excited by the occasion, briefly introduced
Gen. Lee-as follows =
HON. A. H. II. STUART INTRODUCES LEE,
Felloao CitiSens:-H Having passed, some
years ago, the allotted span of human life,
l had supposed that under no circumstances
could I be induced to appear again in pub
lie before the people of Augusta. But since
/ came into this house, have been invited
by the Chairman of the Democratic Com
mittee, to introduce to my fellow citizens
the Democratic candidate for the office CT
Governor of Virginia. This invitation was
so agreeable to me personally, and involved
duty which / knew would be so accepta-
BILE to you, that did not feel at liberty to
decline it. I, therefore, beg leave to intro
duce to you the gentleman referred to. His
name is historic! His deeds are historic
He has done honor to himself and to his
State on the field of battle. 1t is now pro-
posed to place him in "a position where he
will have the opportunity of rendering more
distinguished service to his native State as
her chief Executive officer. l respectfully
introduce to you General Fitzhugh Lee
SPEECH OF GEN. FITz LEE.
AS Gen. Lee arose to address the audi
ence, he was greeted with cheers that were
continued for some time. He received such
a heartfelt greeting as would be most graf
flying to any man, and such as could not
fail to move harder heart than his, which
is full of human sympathy. He was visi-
bly, affected, as his voice and manner indi-
Gated.
He expressed his thanks for the great and