Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-10-19
A JOYFUL DAY.
Kentucky creets Virginia
HON. w. C. 2. BRECKENRIDGE
Speaks to Large Audience at the
Fair Grounds.


''t Speaks TO a Large Audience at the
Fair Grounds.
Staunton and Augusta Democrats Prepared
d the Barbecue in Great Abundance and arr
Aroused to the Duty OF the hour by Mattel,
lesa oratory-Many Ladies and "a Brigii
I.aimy Day Charms the Scene.
The old of to-day, who can remember tho
times of 1910, as the waves of political confic
swept over the country, had touch of kindred
associations with those times last Saturday al
the grounds of the Baldwin District Fair As
ISOLATION. The roasted OK, prepared for the
occasion, and the baskets of good things from
every part of the Empire County of the Valley
made feast for the multitude, who had been
RECALLED with an address, the like Of which can
come only from the lips Kentueky's son.
Mr. Breckenridge arrived in the early part
of the day from the West, and was received
by the Committee for that purpose and escort
ed to the Virginia Hotel The streets of the
city and the grounds were already thronged
multitudes of people, and soon the Stonewall
Brigade Band and the Slate Hill Cornet Band,
at the head of the moving column of the
sterling democracy marched to the grounds.
THE CONFIRMATION.
| On the grand stand which seats twenty-five
hundred people, ladies in large numbers were
present as they were in carriages in front and
around the central location occupied by the
orator and the committees, from the County
| Democratic Committee, Capt. John N. Opie,
Chairman the City Committee, Hon. A. c.
Gordon, Chairman, and the City Club, Mr..
VIM. L. McCue, Chairman. In all there were
but few of any short of five thousand people
on the grounds.
1t was designed that the speaking should be
from the stand opposite the grand stand,
and from that point Captain Opie opened the
ball with handsome introduction of Mr..
Breckenridge, whom he styled The grandson
of Virginia" and so he is as his ancestry is
reviewed and the history of Virginia and Ken
lucky in the galaxy of States is recounted.
THE SPEECH.
With the opening utterances of Mr.. Brock
inridge, the vast throng on the grand stand
and along the avenue intervening between the
speaker and that point commenced to move
nearer to him. 1t was thus evident that the
comfort of seats for 800 of his audience were
to be discounted, that every word might be
distinctly heard Then it was Chairman Opie
requested him pass over, and, occupy posi-
ton in the center of the grand stand and first
concluding his general reference to the occa-
sion followed in discourse, which in many
of its features illustrated the issues in the con-
test in style which will never fade from the
memories Of those who heard him. No other
reference, than that, which would furnish the
speech ITSELF could begin to convey its original
style and the force of argument in which it
abounded. Before entering upon the discus
sion of the parties before the people and the |
measures they propose for the administration
of government, he referred to a chief induce
ment which inclined him to accept the invit
alton to appear here at this time, was to mani
fest the personal as we'll as the political inter-
est he had in the reelection of our member of
Congress- Hon. Henry st. George Tucker, to
whose superior qualifications as member of
the House of Representatives, and personal
worth he desired to testify in this manner. As
warmly esteemed for every fine quality of
manhood, and, for his ability and usefulness
as member of Congress, as Mr.. Tucker is in
his district and abroad over the country, the
affectionate tribute Of this friend of the ''old
block and to the ''chip of that block" which
has become "a block upon which the public
veal may safely rest, this occasion carries
with it new love and greater, if that can
be, appreciation of our young Congressman.
In preparing his audience for the presenta-
ton of his views and conclusions, he adyerted
to the fact, that he never INDUCED in
Objectionable language or personal reflections
towards those to whom he was opposed in
political sentiment. When on that point the
warm sympathy expressed for President liar
rison at this time in the deep affiiction he is
bearing brought tears from many ewes.
THE ISSUES.
In reference to the issues now before the
people, he said whilst there might be diver
sity of sentiment in other States he was not
prepared to suppose that of Virginia any APP
prehension should be felt He felt assured
the Old State would continue in the democrat
ic column.
Sketching something of the history Of the
country brought him to the relations of poll
teal parties to it. The Republican party at
one time could maintain something of great
ness for a brief period, but since the war it
had ceased to hold any such relations to the
people. 1t had dwindled in purpose to mere
business interest. in which syndicate ruled
and all else of its followers, however true and
good men they may be, had no part nor were
they consulted in the direction of its affairs
In this feature of the analysis of the party,
the southern white men who still cling to it
occupied so small space as to be out of the
count entirely. The legislation was directed
by this syndicate, who claimed that their party
had bought the country and paid for it and
that it was theirs of right. The immense
profits to the few from high protective tariff
was right for that was its purpose. They
knew that their representations Of the condi-
ton of things in the South were not true, but
only blazed forth to misguide the northern
mind. Their contempt for the white republi-
can in the South was manifest, whilst they
courted the negro vote for its strength in the
endeavor to elect Congressman and in the
electoral college. Their professed love for the
farmer and laboring man was deception and
a fraud.
The erraignment of the Republican party
was overwhelming, as every feature OF its
misrulc and corruption were pointed out. II
was menace to free government and the
only hope was to blot it out Of existence. This
was the gradual work Of the patriotic men OF
the country as they were in the North and in
the West turning their b acks upon it.
An able discussion of the tariff followed
many Illustrations of the damaging effects
naturally resulting from it were presented in
the clearest light
The force bill, Mr.. Breckenridge declared
was not measure neeufuI for any proper
purpose, as the syndicate viewed the condl-
tons of the county. 1t was a measure natur-
ed after close calculation, as the last ,'emedy
for sustaining the sinking ship. That could
not be done without votes. The North in
Guiding Massachusetts was rec eding from the
tyranny of the syndicate the West was doing