Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-09
THE ISSUES DEFINED.
Breckinridge and Wise Speak Here
and In Chesterfield.
DIG AUDIENCES At BOTH PLACES.
The Force Bin Dissected and the Repubii-
cans Record In Congress
Fully Exposed.


that ever assembled in Richmond.
The scene reminded one of the great
meeting held at the Broad-Street Opera
Housc two years ago. at which the speak
ers were Congressman Mills and Wilson
and the great theme was the tariff.
Last night the orator was one Of the
most distinguished men of this age. He
has served for several terms as the represen-
tative from the Lexington district in the
lower branch Of Congress. aud has made for
himself a record of uprightness, honesty,
and ability that has won the admiration OF
the entire country.
Those who were present 10 hear him
were the intelligent white men-working-
men. merchants. and professional men
who represent the business interests OF
Nirginia's capital. The house was crowded.
on THE STAGE.
Among those on the stage were the ma
inrity OF the vice-presidents selected 10y
the Committee of Arrangements for the
meeting aud whose names were published
in the Dispdfrh. Conspicuous among these
were General Joseph II. Anderson. Gen
eral Charles J. Anderson. Major James
ID. Patton. Clty-Chairman James e.
lamb. Hon. John Al Curtis, Cep-
DIR. George B. Steel, j. Taylor Ellyson.
William II. Cullingworth. |. 5. Tower, and
u. C. Richardson. The ministers present
were Rev. Drs. Hoge, Frost. and Lam
drum, and some Others VINO sat on the
platform were judge Ingram. Of Manches-
ter. Hon. Lyon G. Tyler. Hon. William
Writ Henry. Judge f. c. Minor. and Judge
Beverley Il. Wexford, and Mrs. Breckin-
ridge, Mrs. Tazewell Elicit and Mrs.
Frank III. Mcclure occupied one box to-
gether with several gentlemen, and Sculp-
torn Valentine was one of the occupants TO
the one opposite.
Al a few minutes after O'Clock the
members Of the Powhatan Club, who had
marched up Broad street headed 10y the
Blues Band, entered and took seats IN the
parquet, which had been reserved for them
TIE SPEAKER ARRrTs.
There was a tremendous outburst of ap-
plause when OF 34 minutes after O'Clock
Mr.. Munford, chairman of the Invitation
Committee. walked on the stage from the
rear followed by Colonel Brecklnridge.
Colonel 1azewcll Elicit, Hon. George ID.
Wise. Or. &. W. Z. Brock, and one or two
others.
The distinguished Congressman was ten
dered q very hearty ovation and three
cheers for George ID. Wise" were proposed
and given with vim.
Mr. Munford spoke about two minutes
in calling the meeting To order: In the
absence of President Belvin. of the Pow
UAlh0 AluD, WHO Hsl btfu fhii'h Out VI
the citv he extended the audience few
words of welcome. expressed his pleasure
at seeing such representative gather
ing. referred to the great lmpOr-
tance of this contest. and said TINS
gathering was an sugury OF the fact
that the people Of the district intend TO re-
sent the insult offered them by unseatihg
Mr.. WISE. than whom no district had bet
ter representative. He closed by declaring
that Waddll had not been elected but had
been put in Congress by the fiat OF the un-
scrupulous party IN power, and said that
while Waddill had sulked and would not
consent 10 run whoever did would have TO
answer for his record and that OF his party
in voting for the force bill. IGreat ap-
plause
Colonel Elicit then in very pretty Gu
logy presented the orator of the evening.
Mr. Breckinridge's Speech.
Loud and continued applause greeted
the eloquent kentuckian as he arose when
Colonel Ellett was about TO introduce him.
The people cheered themselves almost
hoarse. and he bowed modestly: When all
was quiet the orator pushed back his
snowy locks that were inclined TO slightly
droop over his forehead and proceeded to
deliver one of the most chaste and able
political discourses ever heard here. Tie
speaks very deliberately and IN gentle
but very clear tone of voice. In opening
be sald:
u thank you. my fellow-citizens. for the
cordiality of your reception, gwen Know
not 10 me personally. but 10 the common
cause Of those principles IN which you and
/ alike cordially and earnestly believe, and
which YOU and believe to be necessary to
the various sections of the country. /
assure you feel as much at home IN the
presence Of this magnificent audience as
If / was among my own generous people
10. haya commissioned IN A r1nTQSenf
them in the House of Representative" "
have come at the invitation of my
friend and colleague. Mr.. Wise, no; merely
10 secure the election of member Of Con-
gress.'
THE ENTIRE GOVERNMENT,
The speaker then referred 10 the situa-
ton in Congress. when after the 4th of
March. 1889 every branch of the Govern
ment Was found in the hands Of the Re-
publican party. and the Democracy was
heset with dissension and i'll discipline.
He spoke of Mr.. Cleyeland's manly
course, which had a great tendency
u cement the Democratic party, and
SAID he was not altogether surprised AT his
defeat. which was caused by expert
manipulators Of bribe. For the first time
in many years a party came in power that
had every branch of the Government-we
had not succeeded III carrying the Senate
and had been unable TO bring about our
reforms. but even then we believed
that the good of our country
was wrapped IN ITS policy and thought
that the great question of currency would
he discussed. We trusted that after Con-
tederato officers scared with wounds bad
80 well represented our country in the
highest departments of the interior and
abroad the Republican party would have
the sense not 90 be sectional. We thought
they would show no hatred TO us. IL was
with such hopes that the last Congress as
sembled.
We expected criticism" said the speak
er. but only in a fair and just way. be-
leye it Is a good thing TO have two parties,
both compact and well disciplined, for out
O. action and reaction come the best. as
from the opposing forces OF nature good Is
produced We looked forward TO this as
the time when the Republican party would
ge' out Of tine era Of partisanship into a
calm and earnest session. But now that
Congress has been in session nine months
! shall not speak harshly OF it-but has
there ever sat party that will receive
more criticism! That Congress has not
advanced the character OF the American
Congress. which has as It's aim that per-
fectly sublime conception-the equality
Of manhood and the sanctity OF local gov
ernment. Now. ought not body repre-
senting such principles 10 grow IN dignity
aud IN the manifestations of every lofty
and eentlemanly Characteristic Ought 1t
not TO be marked with freedom from per-
sonality and with Justice and gravity upon
the su6joctsthey discuss for the mainte-
nance OF the empire TO be affected by that
legislation. Has this been its history
IL has begun TO have contempt for itself
only smaller than the contempt the people
have for H."
SOME SCENES RECALLED.
The speaker then alluded 20 the shame
ful scenes, the abusive language. and the
profanity recently used on the floor OF
Congress which caused the ladies TO flee
from the galleries. lie said that he had
even seen member take of his coat In the
heat OF discussion, thus treating Con
gress, by dIyesting himself of his clothing
~ u u were manual labor.
do not say these things" continued
the speaker, because this is not our party,
IL ~ still the same House as when Clay and
han. a IN a