Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-28

CNBoUNDgD ENTHUSIASM.

4 Gigantic rurneat OF the Democrats OF
the Two Ciuss~sprcches frem Mcmillan
aid Lee.
ESPECIAL telegram 10 tho Dlspatch.l
NORFOLK, Va, October 27.--Gene-
raj Lees reception here tonight was a
superb ovaiion-fully in keeping with
the great honors showcred upon him in
thiS campaign throughout Virginia.
The two cities were fairly abiaze with
cn;husiasm- bands playing, cannon
booming. and bonfrcs, torches, and all
sorts of fireworks illuminated the streets
IL every direction, while all the sur
rounding country poured its thousands
Of people into the city TO add fclat to
the Cemons tration.
Never was there such a stirring po-
litical scene witnessed here, except.
perhaps. the jubilee succeeding, the
election Of Cleveland.
On the arrival of General Lee and
Congressman Benton Mcmillan, Of Ten
nc,sec, in Portsmouth from Isle Of
Wight Courthouse, the Democrats of
the town took them from the cars out
side tie city limits and, placing them in
a carriage. formed large procession,
and headed by band of music marched
through the city TO the ferry wharf
amid resounding Salvos of artillery and
the continued huzzas Of the people.
In Norfolk another immense process
~ IN
sic, and as the General landed the
cheering was deafcning.
In this style the distinguished visitors
were escorted to the Atlantic Hotel.
After supper another procession, headed
bya large body Of horsemen from the
county and two bands Of music,
marched to the hotel and escorted Cen
eral Lee and party TO the Market Square,
where n mammoth Open-air masS-meet-
ing was held, and il was estimated from
eight to ten thousand people were pre-
sent. including six or seven hundred
ladies and large representation Of the
better class Of colored people.
An impromptu stand had been erect
&c for the speakers and was magnii-
Gently decorated--a beautiful feature
of which was brilliant gas-let span
niDg the entire space with the word
"M clcomc." The meeting was called
to order by the chairman of the Execu.
tive Committee, and Judge James Z.
Heath was selected to preside. Hon.
Benton Mcmillan, Of Tennessee, was
introduced, and addressed the crowd
very ably for over one hour and half
on the popular issues Of the two great
parties and the work of the Democratic
party i'll the past few years and its
beneficial results to the country.
General Lee was next introduced,
and his appearance was greeted with
tremendous and prolonged cheering.
After thanking the people of Norfolk
for the generous reception rendered him,
be proceeded to discuss various State
issues and matters relative thereto, to-
gother with an appeal for harmony be-
tween the sections. He made a telling
speech Of over two hours. and it was a
magnificent argument in behalf Of the
great interests at stake in the campaign
il Virginia. lie denounced Sherman,
Foraker, Logan, Wise, and Malone for
stirring up sectional hate and trying to
array the blacks against the whites at
every opportunity.
The Generals speech created I'M
bounded enthusiasm, aud he was voci-
ferously cheered as he repeatedly scored
good points against Malone, Wise,
Lamb, and other newly-fledged Repub-
licans of Virginia. Notwithstanding the
great size Of the throng the most marked
attention was observed throughout.
The meeting closed about l. O'Clock,
q when the procession reformed and es-
corted the speakers back to their hotel.