Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1888-05-29


of Oratory Euer Witnessed IN
Charlesto,Un.
1t being announced that Charles
town would on last Thursday be in
yaded by brilliant coterie of orators
of national reputation, the Charles
town Democratic Club met on Tues
day night to make suitable arrange
ments for their reception. A recep-
ton committee was appointed, con-
sisting of the President of the Club,
DIR. ]. V. Simmons, and Messrs. B.
D. Gibson, John T. Colston, Forrest
w. Brown, Oscar Phillips, S. c.
Young and H. B. Davenport; on dec
grafton, Messrs. Gustav Brown and
Chas. H. Grim onfire-works, Messrs.
T. F. Eddy, d. A. Phillips, Straith
Hilbert, Abram Stump, Edward Phil
lips, Chas. II. Grim, B. F. Dooley
and F. B. Souders.
" The distinguished guests were met
at the B. & o. station, and escorted
by the reception committee of the
Chariestown Democratic Club to-
gether with the Charlestown Cornet
Band. to the home of our Representa-
tive, the Hon. w. Wilson, where n
bountiful luncheon awaited them, the
band discoursing national airs in the
yard while the guests were ut the
table. -
About 8 O'Clock p. NJ, the meeting
in the Courthouse was called to or
der by DIR. J. V. Simmons, President
of the Charlestown Democratic Club.
On motion, Mr.. B. d. Gibson was
chosen Chairman, and editors of the
town papers were elected Secretaries.
Mr.. Gibson, in behalf of the Democ-
racy of Jefferson, welcomed the i'm
mense audience to the rare treat
promised for this occasion, and felic-
itated the assemblage upon their good
fortune of having the most gifted po-
litical orators, from the North, the
South, the East and the West, to
teach the all-pervading powers of
Democratic principles, and the peace
full march towards a happy reunion
of all sections under the policy of
President Cleveland. The Chairman
then introduced with appropriate re-
marks the visiting statesmen, who
spoke in the following order:
After the tremendous applause
which greeted him had ceased, Gen.
Wade Hampton, Senator from S. c.,
began his remarks by touching allu-
sion to the deep and lasting affections
ever existing between comrades in
arms on hard fought battle-fields, and
said he had never forgotten-and this
unusually warm greeting made him
again feel the inspiration of the love
his noble veterans always gave him;
and that his richest reward for duty
faithfully performed, was the hearty
approval he beheld in the bright eyes
of his old companions of many battles.
He sketched the grievous wrongs and
expressions forced upon us by Re-
publican misrule; alluded to the ty-
ranny practiced against the South;
praised the colored voters of the New
South for their aid in throwing off the
yoke of the Republican party, and
promised an increased majority all
over the South for Grover Cleveland
next November. He urged retrench
ment and reform, and laws to benefit
the people; praised Cleveland I'm
qualiliedly; showed the great injus-
tice of the war tariff, and said that
he could hardly describe graphically
enough the untold disasters that
would surely befall this Union, if
Cleveland was defeated and the Dem
ocratic party driven from the halls of
its fathers.
T At the conclusion of Gen. Hamp-
tons address, the Hon. VIM. L. Will
son, in touching and fitting terms,
presented to his old commander
magnificent basket of flower, the
gift of soldiers daughter to a hero
whom all venerated and loved. The
scene, with Gen. Hampton's feeling re-
Spouse. was not only beautiful but i'm
pressive, and caused the eyes of more
than one veteran to grow dim with
tears whose flow could not at the mo-
ment be restrained. \
Hon. J. E. Russell, Representative
from Mass, next addressed the eager
throng, and from his silvery tongue
flowed chaste and polished eloquence
sweet and soft as honey, clear and
enchanting as running brook,-an
orator thrice worthy of that common
wealth which was the mother of " the
great old man eloquent. He is a
farmer, and devoted to the interests
of the husbandman. His eXpositions
of the burdens and inequalities of the
,,.,e II and