Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-29
HON. JAMES LYONS.
REcOLLeCTlONS or THIS DISTlN-
GUISHED LAWYER AND CITIZEN.
Presenting Young yirginians TO Mr.. clay
The Great WING Meeting In
Culpeper, Etc.
fFor the Dispaich.l

] shall never forget the first time | saw
this distinguished gentleman. It was III
my youthhood when my heart was filled
with political fcrvOr and the whole coun-
try was deeply Interested about the pend
ING presidential contest between Henry
Clay and James X. Polk.
In May, 1874, there was held ratiilcation
meeting of the yOuIg men OF the United
States in the CITY Of Baltimore 10 express
their approval If Mr.. Clay's nomination
by the Whig party. From all parts OF W.
gInia. as well as from all the States the
Young Wings hocked 10 Baltimore. a
LARGE number Of Nirsinans met in Wash
ingtOn on our way, and hearing that Mr.
CLAW was in that c.ty. a guest OF Joseph
Bradley. Esq. we determined q eau on
him to express our admiration aud affection
for him.
PRESENTED 10 MI CLAY.
James Lyons then splendid specimen
Of manhood, tall. straight. and intellectual,
was selected 90 he our leader. Under his
command we marched to Mr.. Bradlcy's.
Mr. Lyons introduced Us an TO MI
CLAW in his in,mi,able manner and
in language suitable 10 the occasion
that thrilled al OF Us. Mr.. Clay,
standing in the portico Of Mr.. Bradley's
house. expressed bis sincere pleasure
in receiving the visit Of the Nirginans-
the Younger sons Of bis beloved native
Statc-in terms so full Cf feeling. so full
Of interest, $50 full Of ardent affections for
the people Of dear old Virginia that none
of rs who heard his silyar-toncd eloquence
viii ever forget il. We started 10 20 up and
shake him by the hand. hut Mr. lyons SUI
gestcd that perhaps u wouiI iauTue
Sir. Clav too much for III Of us
to shake hands with him, wnercupon
fhe Grand old man, straight"ning nim-it.
remarked in the blandest tones: Well. II
the Nirginians vii not come III and shake
hands with me Will come out and snake
them by the hand, - and he at once came
ont on the sidewalk and went down
our line shaking hands and giving kindly
greeting 90 all.
At CULPEPrE COURTHOUSE.
The next time ] saw Mr.. Lyons was at
Culpoper Courthouse during the pre,i-
dental campaign, where ne went II al
dress Wing mass-Inoctiug OF the people.
Raleigh f. Daniel was with him. and they
were twain hard 20 beat i'm political dis
cussion and the peers OF almost any Of
the great Virginia orators of that day.
Au incident occurred nj that meeting
which Will illustrate how We carried on
political meetings in those good old times.
| had secured the county 10 tnd SIX we'll
matched white horses 10 hitch % large
wagon properly dNOfllil TOT TIE Nctuo-'h
in which were seated twcuty-siX young
ladies (the prettIc-t We could tndl.
all dressed alike i'm pure white and each
waving in her hand flag with the name
Of a State upon II. Thus equipped the We
hicie WAS drawn up near the platform
erected for the speakers in grove near The
village, and alI around were vast crowd
of people from the counties of Culpcpcr,
FauQuier, Orange. and Madison.
TIE GLEE-sNGrEs.
Near tie stand also, there was erected
around an oak tree platform for the elcc-
singers, whoheld "a little book of campaign
songs in their hands. and this book was
wcll-known then throughout the state. AS
the yellow Kvcr.n il bong covered with
yellow cover. and the singers WHO bore q
conspicuous part i'm the campaign We're
called The lellOW-kiver Clubs" Ola
Tray" CAS- in after times his friends
anoctionatcly called him. who was
o good singer (end there are many people
now in Richmond who viii b. glad 90 be
reminded Of the occasions when they have
heard him sing ms fayoritc song. " KITTY
of Colerainc") was OH the clubs platform.
sam Chiffon was there, too. ono of tho
most brilliant, genial men / have ever
known. and many others. forming set Of
rs good fellows az Nu- inia'ssun ever shown
upon.