Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-08-13
MR. BUTCHERS ADDRESS.

| audience which Mr.. CDarleS tyson OuICL-
er (who is we'll known in this city,
addressed in Abners Hall in Washington
last night on the ''great political questions
! of the day." and his experiences in Virgin
ia. Mr. Butcher. is an Independent candi.
date for Congress in the 7th Virginia district
We take the following account of the enter.
tanment from the Washington Post:
The audience had barely settled in their
seats, the oratory of Mr.. Butcher had only
begun to flow, the first broad smile was
hardly over when messenger walked up to
the platform and presented the lecturer with
handsome bouquet. A number Of "the
boys" who rather expected the incident,
we're much amused to see the softening
effect it had upon the speaker. A few min
utes later another messenger stepped up TO
the platform and presented the orator with
fine, large orange. Mr.. Butcher smiled
his appreciation OF the dainty tribute, and
it was soon followed by the presentation Of
large bunch of bananas. The third pre-
sentaton was source OF much delight TO
the audience, who cracked matches on the
floor, made squeaking noises by rubbing
their hands along the backs of the chairs
and stamped their feet upon the floor.
The most interesting portion of Mr.. Butch
er'i lecture treated of his personal adven-
lures at the nominating convention in Rep
resentative O'Ferrall's district. He pro-
claimed himself an independent. 81 have
struck out u course in life for myself" he
said The audience applauded the announce
ment.
"My friends say, you are right, Charlie, ,"
continued the speaker, but inr the Lords
sake, don't desert the democratic party ; do
come back to us, CHARLIE"
but you haven't left the party" a gentle
msn in IL front seat suggested.
mo, but my party has left me-" The ALL
dience applauded again.
When he went down to his native county
TO run for Congress his friends treated him
badly. Delegates at the convention ill used
him in every way. jostled up against him
and even battered his hat, until he had to
put the question to ono Of hiI aSS:tilants,
do you mean TO insult me, sir?
When he got TO his hotel il WAS WORSE. A
big man, weighing 275 pounds WAS posted
in the doorway and would not allow bin to
pass. The i'll hammered crowd laughed
aud he was kept outside until he informed
the fat man that ho was going to get in ithe
had to die in the attempt. There was IL
stage in that hotel, from which other DEM
ocralic candidates were speaking. He
meant TO speak, too, and mounted the stage
but the crowd booted and b!ackguarded
him, and wouldn't let him reply The
crowd whispered that he was too sharp
fellow, and it wouldn't be right to let him
reply. Il declared my readiness" said he,
ITO discuss the great political questions of
the day, but nobody wanted to dicuss with
fa,l,
right, but they threatened me with stones.
Even my brother in law, who is one of the
wealthiest ard most influential men in the
county, turned against me and said
Charlie, for the Lords sake sit down."
The audience applauded the selftold
story Of Mr. Butchers adventures. Failing
to grasp the meaning Of the applause the
lecturer returned to his subject with the
question, "Gentlemen, what do you think
ofit?" Another burst of applause was the
only answer.
The Virginia Democratic Accociation
did not efcape the lecturers censure.
"They begged and entreated me to Join the
association" said he, "but | declined
They said, Charlie Butcher, you're young
man Of worth and ability and credit to your
State, and We must have you. We will
enroll You among our honorary members
like the other Congressman from Virginia.
and they did make me an honorary member
then. When they heard l was going down
to Virginia to open the eyes OF the people
there they tried to turn mo down. They
asked me to resign but | told them could
not resign position for which | had not
applied. 1t would be against parliamen-
tary principles, and am always very gsn
tlemanly in what do. So they expelled
me-" The audience applauded nearly
every remark, but when it came TO state
ment like this they cheered.
He was expelled by the Virginia Dem.
ocratio Association and had his hat battered
in Virginia, but these things were not going
to trouble him. He had struck out new
course in life and therein he was going to
walk. The people of the Seventh Virginia
district would not have him, but he loved
his friends in the District of Columbia and
they loved him and he was going to he the
candidate, $50 it was understood) for the
nomination ofthe Independent democrats of
the District of Columbia.