Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-02
LEElN THE SOUTHWEST.
GRAND OVATION AT SALEM
A splendid RAINY OF the Roanoke De-
meefsc,- Lee. r,npsep. and Ayers speak.

SALEM. Va, October THE South
west is ablazc with political excitement,
and in every section preparations are
being made to receive Fitz Lee. All
the counties in this section are organ
izing cavalcadcs TO receive him as he
reachestheir respective counties. Ina
d. number Of the counties there will be
large barbecues.
The people are as thoroughly aroused
as in the canvass Of 1888. From pre-
sent indications il is believed that the
majority of this year will be largely in
creased. What with good organizations
and the enthusiasm Lee is arousiDg
among the people in different sections
Of the Southwest 1t is impossible to
give figures. There is friendly rivalry
existing on the part Of the county COM
mittees to excel each other in the oya-
tons given TO Lee.
To-day will be long remembered by
the people Of Roanoke county, for at
an early hour the people began to pour
into Salem from every direction, in We
hicles, on horseback, and afoot. At
noon the streets were literally thronged,
by far the largest number Of people
ever assembled here on any occasion.
And the ovation given Lee excelled
that Of any yet extended him.
Fitz Lee was expected on the
freight from Christiansburg, and
at 0 o'clock the cavalcade began to
form its line. 1t numbered between
700 and 800 men. under the command
Of ID. G.. Armstrong, with the follow
ing aides j. T. Bandy, T. Benton
Wiley, John Gordon, Major r. w.
Page, John NJ. Evans, Colonel O. W.
Barwell. and b. +. Thomas, the
eight clubs represented forming three
divisions. At the head of each division
was band of music and large United
States flag. Upon the lapel Of the
coat Of each man was white silk
badge with the words " Lee, Massey,
and Ayers, Our Standard-Bearers."
The first club was under the COM
mand Of Colonel John f. Penn aides,
NJ. NJ. Rogers and John A. Persinger.
The second club was under John Coles,
the third under Major r. ID. Martin,
the fourth under DR.. Oscar Wiley, the
fifth under Captain John Garst, the
sixth under John w. Woods aides,
George McConkey and John Ii. Ben
nett. The seventh was under James
w. Marshall the eighth under Cap
tain S. F. Simmons.
After the line had been formed they
marched to the depot and waited the
arrival Of General Lee. The train
reached here at IL o'clock, and when
General Lee stepped from the platform
of the car cheer upon cheer rent the
air-the people growing wild with en-
thusiasm. Such a waving Of banners
and flags and the like was never wit
messed here before. After few minutes
order was restored and the march
through the streets to the court-green
commenced.
At the head Of the column was a
stsge-coach handsomely decorated with
flags Of different nationalities and
drawn by four black horses, and con-
tanning members of the press from
different sections Of the State and
General Early. Behind it was a
mounted bugler. Then came Fitz Lee
mounted upon Mohawk, a superb black
stallion that was ridden by him at
Yorktown during the Centennial.
Next came r. \. Ayers in a village
cart driven by Judge Griffin, who held
in one hand banner. upon which was
inscribed in large letters. layers, the
Cart-Driyer." This was followed by
the Roanoke Band of twenty pieces.
When the column reached the main
street Fitz Lee and the marshals halted.
There the command Open column
was given, the line extending for nearly
mile. The head of the column rested
on the courthouse green. General
Lee, with head uncovered, bowling to
the right and left, and followed by the
marshals, galloped through, amidst
storms OF hurrahs, to the speakers
stand.
All along the line numbers Of private
dwellings were decorated. The speak
ing then commenced. General Lee was
greeted with enthusiastic cheers as he |
came forward to address an audience of |
over 1000, including many ladies. His
speech was listened to with rapt atten-
ton by the vast audience, and his happy |
hits were received with generous APP
plause. As he warmed up to his work |
and arraigned the Republican party and |
its leaders, Malone, Wise Il Co., cheer |
after cheer rent the air, and exclama-
tons were heard on all sides that the !
General had risen far above the ex-
pectation of his most sanguine friends. |
lie closed with grand tribute to Nir-
ginia and compliment to the candi-
dates, including Ayers, the cart-driver.
Mr.. Strouse then introduced Mr..
James Dunlop. of Richmond, who made
an eloquent speech, srraigning the Re-
publican party for its misdeeds and ex-
posing the methods Of Mahoneism.
Mr.. Dunlop was cheered to the echo.
Judge Griffin then introduced K. A. |
Ayers as the cart-driver, and said that
il he should be as true to Virginia as he
had been to his widowed mother and
sisters the interests OF Virginia would
be safe in his hands.
Every one was anxious to see and
know Ayers, and as he came forward
upon the stand he was greeted with
prolonged cheers. lie said that it was
not his intention to make speech after
the principles Of Democracy had been
so ap,ly set forth by the leader of the
Democratic host and the distinguished
gentleman from Richmond city, but in
a few pithy, strong sentences he defined
his position, and urged activity and
yigor upon the Democrats Of Roanoke.
The people were impressed with this
his first appearance in their midst. He
was followed by Giles c. Huffman,
the Democratic nominee for the House,
who acquitted himself with marked
ability, making a good impression and
surprising the best expectations Of his
friends. At the close Of the speech,
and after the speakers had dined, an
immense cavslcade from Roanoke City
and Botetourt Springs. augmented by
a large force from this place, and
headed by two bands OF music, es-
cOrted General Lee aud party from the