Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-03
DEMOCRATIC CLANS.
OVER TWO THOUSAND PERSONS HEAR
CONGRESSMAN sTOCKDALF.
he, colenel Tazsweli Elicit, and kr. Con
way Sands Discusi the Issues OF
fha CanvatH

At least 1000 persons assembled at the
corner Of Twenty-third ard y streets
last night TO attend the demonstration of
the Union Democratic Club and to hear
the distinguished gentlemen who had
been announced to speak.
This was a mighty good showing for
such night, for the ground was soaking
wet and the air was very damp, quite
cold. and generally .disagreeable. Had
the weather been prODltious for an open
air meeting it was estimated that at lesst
0,0O0 would have been present and all
things considered the Attendance exceed
ed expectations, and the success of the
rally, which reflected most creditably
upon its promoters. was much greater
than was anticipated yesterday when the
very unreasonable rain set in. This
affair wes to have taken place one week
ago last night, but the pouring rain which
fell all Of that day necessitated Its post
ponement The club were not at all dis
heartencd by the adverse circumstances,
| but went to work with renewed detorni-
nation 10 make the occasion q pleasant
and profitable one, and they are to be
congratulated upon the admirable man
ner in which every detail had been ar
ranged. This club is composed Of ster-
hing workers, coming from parts Of both
Jefferson and Marshall wards, and it is
here that the campaign in Richmond is
generally opened.
OK THE MARCH.
The Union Club met at their head
quarters about o'clock, and after pro-
yiding themselves and their friends who
desmed TO ioincd in with them with uni
forms and torches marched down TO the
Old market, where they were joined 10y
tine Old Dominion Club with full ranks.
Headed by Kesnichs Band, which fur
nshed the music for the occasion,
the clubs marched down Main
street to Tweniy-hfth, and thence
/ t. \ AMI Twenty third, coming up IN
rear OF the speakers stand. When they
marched up about 500 they were loudly
chcered. Tho persons forming the pro-
cession took positions IN front OF the
stand, and the band occupied seats on
! the same and disc0ursed music to the
entertainment Of the audience until the
speakers arrived. The stand. which was
| quite a LARGE one, was prOiusely draped
| and decorated with colored bunting and
flags. and onsigns floating the names OF
| Cleveland and Thurman. Special
/ connection with the gas-maln
had been made and twelve gas-jets 10,
pether with a headlight dispelled the
/ sombre darkness and made the surround
incs almost as bright as day. As the
procession ueared the scene the large
/ flag which lay i'm readiness WAS holsted
to tho top Of a pole scyenty-fye feet
high.
Among those who occupied seats on
the platform were Postmaster Culling-
worth, Mr.. John AZ. Higgins, president
Of the old Dominion Club; Hon. John
A. Curtis, Secretary Gates, and Mr.
Snelings members Of the City Commit
] tee W. Il. Lee. and other influential
/ Democrats.
| THE MEETING OPENS.
CONGRESSMAN Thomas Il. Stockdaie. oI
Mississippi. the orator OF the evening,
arrived about $40, accompanied by
! Mayor EllysOn. Colonel Taleweil Elicit,
and Mr.. Conway r. Sands, the party s
nominee for the vacancy in the Senate,
The band played lively air, and Al
! so Alderman Joseph W. Carter. presi
! dent Of the Union Democratic Club
called the assemblage to order, bade all
a hearty welcome, made al excuse ion
! the non appearance Of Hon. George d,
/ Wise, who was detained at home by
sickness, and introduced Mayor }. Tay-
lor Ellyson, who had consented to pre-
side oger the meeting.
Tie Mayor said when invited TO pre-
side at the meeting he accepted because
/ be felt that it would be a pleasure to dc
so. for he knew OF 10 truer or better
! Democrats than were to be- found IN the
ranks o. the Union CMb. He contrastei
| the record Of the Republican party
| during the twenty-five years they were
IN power with that OF the Democrats
since Clcyeand's election four years ago
saying that he felt confident IN appealing
to the people for their support and thai
on the 7th OF November the welklI
would again ring over the triumphant
election o. Cleveland and Thurman
The speaker then presented to the audi
cnce the orator Of tho evening, Hon.
Thomas r. Stockdale.
TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA.
Mr.. Stookdale is tall and erect, appa
rcntly slightly over fifty years Old, and
speaks in a clear, earnest, and forclblC
manner. His uttcrances, c0uched II
plain, simple language, are distinct, anc
he can be heard for "a great distance. tie
said he came to Richmond in response tc
! a very cordial invitation 20 TO DO. and he
proposed to speak briefly upon th'
great questions that are now agtatinl
the public mind. lie did not ex
pect to instruct his hearers, fol
ho apprehended that the good
people Of virginia were well informed
on the great issues Of the day. he
made pleasant reference to bis visit tC
/ Richmond thirty years ago aud PAID g
/ beautiful tribute to the old Common
/ wealth and the illustrious men reared OF
/ her sacred sUil and sent out 10 the coun-
T lIr. ht Catlt W tlc 1l-t' NtNlt lAtN'
and felt inspired by hallowed memories
/ by her past greatness, and the yalor o.
her sons. The speaker was glad to come
to the district of his friend and associate
in Congress. Hon. George ID. Wise
/ he spoke Of Mr.. Wise in highly
eulogistic terms. and told an incident
that occurred in Congress, when Mr.
/ Wise arose and defended with that abili
/ " AMI eloquence which would have be
come the heroes Of former years an i'm
rut9tion upon Virginia and her people
/ The speaker said he came here from The
county Of Albemare, whore be spoke OF
Monday; that there he stood on The
/ heights Of Monticello and on all sldeI
I had pointed out to him the fOEmel
homes or birthplnces Of men Whose
deeds have filed the brightest pages II
American history.
sECTIOEALIsM.
Mr.. Stockdale next addressed himself
to the spirit OF sectionalism which per
vsdes the Republican ranks. He woulC
l not stir up the memories Of the past
over which the dark and turbulent wa
ters OF oblivion should roll, were they
not bronOht up by the Republicans,