Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-12
HENRY COUNTY.
GRAND DEMOCRATIC RALLY.

The People Waking Up-Ciub Organized In
Martinsviile-Address OF Major w. I. suth-
erin.
Correspondence ofthe Richmond Dispatch
MARTINsvILLE, VA, Sept. 10, 'S5.
The inertia which seems to have
stayed, as it were, the progress Of the
Democracy in this county, was shat
tered to pieces and its evil effects
wholly eradicated last night by a
rousing meeting Of the good citizens of
Martinsyille and the formation Of the
Peoples Democratic Club" There
was scarcely a moments notice that
there would be such meeting, yet the
air seemed to have become pregnant
with the feeling that there was an or
der to orally Democrats" and they
rallied spontaneously from all parts Of
the town till our hall was filled with
representative men Of all occupations.
The club was organized by electing
that staunch Democrat, S. W. Mar
shall, chairman. A constitution and
bylaws were formulated and adopted,
one clause Of which pledges every
member TO Z" use every honorable means
&c secure the election Of the entire De
mocratic ticket" Sixty-seyen stepped
forward and enrolled themselves as
members Of the club.
All the business necessary for a COM
plete organization having been dis
patched, and arrangements effected by
which we are to make an active, vigor-
Gus, and aggressive fight, commit
tee was appointed to wait upon that
venerable and sagacious cid gentleman 4
Major W. T. Sutherlin, Of Danville, and
invite him to address the club. In
few minutes this worthy son Of Vir-
ginia advanced and was greeted with
deafening applause.
Major Sutherlin began by saying
that it had been twelve years since he
last made a political speech, but that
he felt, as every white man ought to
feel, that he would be recreant to his
race and to his State did he not lend
his voice to the overthrow Of the party
which was endeavoring to arouse race
prejudices and to rekindle hostilities
between the North and South by
raking up sectional issues. lie spoke
in the kindest manner Of the colored
people, and said they would make
good citizens if their minds were not
poisoned by low-hung white Republi-
cans.
The Major was applauded to the
echo. He seems to have caught the in
spiration Of the moment, and being
stimulated by the great enthusiasm
manifested, he eclipsed himself and be-
came eloquent, making the finest speech
heard here for many a day, his eyes
flashing with Indignation when he spoke
Of the outrages Malone had perpetrated
upon Virginia. lie closed his splendid
speech amid great applause by assur-
ing the club they could defeat the enemy
by concert Of action and bold push to
the front.
Many other able speeches were made
by members Of the club, and was
astonished at the enthusiasm and in
terest awakened by the organization Of
this club. Let this county-yea, every
county in the State-learn lesson from
this, and proceed at once to organize
clubs at every yoting-precinct. This
ougM 10 be done at once.
The ball set in motion last night will
ontinue TO roll and will only end by
olling up a handsome Democratic ma
ority on the 4th Of November next.
Hon. r. A. Ayers will speak here
Monday the l4th, and spend the week
in this and Patrick counties. Hon.
John 5. Wise will represent the Re-
publicans on Monday.
Captain Edward Townes died last
night. COLFAX.