Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-14
THE OLD LOG CABIN.
xnAT MEMORABLE STRUCTURE OF
RICHMOND, VA, IN 1910.
a Notice Of the Great Speech OF VII
Ham Q. Preston, Of South
Carolina.

tbe presidential campaign Of that year
The nomination by the Wing party o
General William Henry Harrison, Vir
eipian by birth and an Ohioan by adop
ton. for President kindled fame o
enthusiasm throughout tho land unsur
uassed in the history Of political parties
in the Unitod States
John TYLER. an Ex-Governor OF Vir.
c;nia. and distinguished for bis elevated
moral character, intellectual and legal
ability and fine oratory, was nominated
for the yice-presidency. ~
The inspiring watch-words OF the wing
partv we're, "Union OF the Wings Tor
he sake of the Union, and "Ilppeca-
noe and Tyler, too.
Log cabins draped with coon-sklns
were everywhere erected for holding
ramnaicn meetines. The Eagle Hotel,
At which Lafayette was so msgnlhcently
entertained when here IN 1874, when
occupied a large portion OF the space on
the south side Of Main street between
Twelfth and Thirteenth. and on which
aance the war have been erected num-
ber Of fine business edifices, was short
time previously destroyed by iire.
On portion OF this vacant space the
Wings OF the city, ut that tine IN an
overwhelming majority, erected huge
structure composed Of rough, undressed
nine logs for campaign meetings. Cen
ersl Harrison had in ridicule been term
cd bv the Democrats the "log-cabln,
coon.skin. and hard-cider candidate IN
sIlusion 10 his humble residence and
generally simple mode OF living No
thing could have been more unfortunate
for them. rs the sequel proved.
During the building of the cabin In
Richmond. in which many of the first
men in the city took an active personal
part. many were the pleasant Jokes and
incidents that occurred between the
cheerful Wings and their rather despoh-
dent Democratic friends. One of the
iocular incidents I recall is the follow
ing A Democrat asked Mr.. Peter w.
Grnbhs. a prominent merchant, who,
with his coat off was hard at work assist
inc in building the cabin, "Why don't
Won skin your poles ?" "Never mind,
responded the enthusiastic follower of
old Iippecanoe. "we will do the skin
ming at the polls next November"
These jealous nd,patriotic men after
wears of fruitless effort to obtain control
of the Administration Of the Federal
Government, inspired at last with the
hope of victory and of the supremacy of |
their dearly cherished principles. re-
paired almost nightly TO their roughly |
built Temple OF Liberty. to meet each |
each other. discuss incidents OF tho |
campaign, and TO hear words of cheer |
and encouragement from some homo or |
foreign speaker who might be expected
or who happened to be present
The author OF these "reminiscences
was then a youth of only seventeen
years. but having been strictly reared
in the Whig school OF politics took
lively interest in this exciting campaign,
and YVES rarely absent from meeting
The building haying been completed and
ready for use. q "1ippecanoe and Tyler
Club" was organized, Of which Mr..
James Lyons was made president, and |
r. L. Daniel, William III. Mcfarland, |
John A. Meredith. Peter w. Grubbs. |
James J. Binford, David Bridges, Hiram
Harris. William W. Weisiger. and Dr.
Samuel A. PaIteson 1.-THE three last
named of Manchester were made
yice-presidents.
In stature about six feet two inches.
with handsome. classical features, OF
symmetrical physical proportions, with
O lofty bearing that gave assurance of a
high and proud lineGGe, and courtesy in
manner. Mr.. Lyons commanded the ad
miration AID respect of all with whom
he came in contact In addition to oil
this lawyer by profession and trimming,
ne was greatly distinguished for his fine
logical and rhetorical powers, and was
therefore often called upon to entertain
and edify the vast assemblages over
which he presided with much ease,
grace, and ability.
Raleigh Traverse Daniel, distinguished
rs great party leader and lawyer OF
ability, as well AS for his chaste and
brilliant rhetoric. having passed away
amid the profound lamentstion OF the
whole State, whose faithful and able At
torney-General he was at the time OF his
death. Mr.. Lyons and Wyndham Ro-
bertson, whose eloquent voice was often
heard during this campaign, are the only
living representatives OF Richmond's
noted sons who actively participated in
the stirring events that occurred at the
old Wing Log Cabin.
Richmond at that period could herself
boast Of large number of able Wing
orators. In addition to the gentlemen
already named those whom l most
readily recall were Benjamin Watkins
Leigh. William II. Mcfarland, Robert
G. Stansrtl, Jr., Sydney s. Baxter, and
though John Minor Bolts did not reside
within the corporate limits l shall in
clude his name in this roll of distin-
guished Wing citizens and orators.
There was, however, no lack OF foreign
speakers, for the great moral and politi
cal earthquake that, with is upheavings
agitated and aroused the whole country
from centre TO circumference, brought to
the surface rich mines OF intellectual
treasure and O host of brilliant orators
who held themselves in eager readiness
IN response to the bugle-call of party and
Of duty TO visit any point, no matter how
remote. and aid in adding fresh fuel TO
the Wing csmp-fres that were kindled
upon every hilltop and in every valley
and plain from Maine to Louisiana
Daniel Webster on the 9th day of
October OF that year addressed an
audience Of about 10000 persons from
the southern portico of the Capitol. | |
need not say that this speech was in
every respect worthy OF the world
renowned statesman, logicisn, and orator,
and that it produced very marked effect |
upon the results Of tho campaign. The
next day he addressed the ladies exclu-
sively at the Log Cabin, an immense
audience OF the culture. beauty. and |
fashion OF the city being in attendance.
The ladies were greatly pleased with Mr..
Webster and his address, and had thou
sands of copies OF it printed on satin az
o soucenir for themselves and their
friends.
shall pause here only for a moment
70 pay tribute that admiration and af. |
lection demand OF me to the memory of |