Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-28
POLITICAL CANVASS.
A risLe-pAY FOR DEMOCRACY IN
GOOD OLD BRUNSWICK COUNTY.
Mai. y. r.. Lassiter and Col. w. !. Atkins
Dissect Third-Parfy smith. OF herkien-
burg--other Meetings Elsewhere.

rcorres,ondenco Of the Richmond Dispatcn.l
LAwnExcEvrLLE. Va. August 2G.-On
Monday the August term OF the County
Court commenced. II bad been an-
nounced that Major Francis X. Lassiter. OF
Petersburg. the Democratic candidate for
elector IN the Fourth District, would af-
dress the people on the political issues OF
the day, and there WINS an unusually large
attendance of citizens from every sec
ton OF the county, and in addition agood-
10 number from the adjoining counties
broupnt bither TO hear him. The chair
man of tho Democratic County Commit
Tee. in authorization of the crowd that
would be present, had erected on the
court-creen; under the shade OF a large
spreading oak a spacious platform 10 supply
the place of the fgurative stump. Inc
speaking was advertised TO commence at
ii o'clock and Major Lassiter was on hand
ready to commence on time, but 10 the
surprise of the assembled multi
tude Young Mr.. Smith, from the
adjoining county OF Mecklenburg.
at 1890 o'clock mounted the platform
and held the fortn for an hour and a
half in advocacy of the Third party. This
speech-delivered IN tho regular camp
meeting style-might easily nave been
mistaken tor wall aud lamentation from
jeremiah. 10 was simply rehash OF the
stale utterances OF the Ihlrd party
advocates who have preceded him,
and disipated everything like en-
thusiasm that might have previously
existed among his political friends.
Never within my recollection has q speech
been made here that elected so little APP
pause that so dampened the araoI ana
enthusiasm that 1t was intended TO
arouse. or that gave such ald and COM
fort to political adyersaries. The Demo-
cratic Committee should al once open
negotiations with Mr. Smith with view to
induce him 20 go into every county IN
this district and repeat his speech made
here on yesterday. 1t would prove pay
ing investment.
MAJOR LAssITER's SPEECH.
Al the conclusion of Mr.. Smiths effort
the platform reverted to ITS righttui occu-
pants, and Judge Buford. chairman OF the
Democratic committee, with few app;o-
pirate remarks introduced Major Lassit"r
to the large and eager audience, VINO Tor
two hours ana half held lts close and I'M
divided attention by one OF the aDlest.
most logical, and eloquent speeches ever
made 10 this county. 1t would be too great
tax on your valuable space TO attempt
even a synopsis of his magnificent effort;
Suffice il to say that he covered
the whole ground, met every issue. and
demonstrated by reasoning, both cogent
and eloquent. that all the Ills OF which the
Third-party people complain are the neces-
sary aud natural results OF inimical legls-
lstlon enacted by the Republican party,
and for which the Democratic party Is IN
nOwise responsible, and that the only hope
of relief was in the triumph OF Democracy
over Republicanism. He had no unklnd
| word for our erring brethren who are IN
cined to cut loose from their old affllia-
| tons and worship at the shrine OF
Third-partyism, but calmly, disposition
ately, and kindly explained to them the
utter lmpossibIlity OF obtaining rellei
from these burdens by STRENGTHENING the
hands and perpetuatlng tue power OF their
oppressOrs. as they would most assufedly
do by deserving the Democratic party,
which alone stood the best chance TO con-
tend successfully with the several parts or
Radicalism. Major Lasslters speech
elected the warmest applause throughout.
He touched responsive chord at every
turn which echoed forth the strains OF
generous appreciation.
COLONEL ArKINs's SPEECH.
When he had concluded the crowd called
for that old war-hOrse Of Democracy, Colo
mel w. I. Atkins. of Mecklenburg. ODE
dent 10 this, as to every call that Demo-
!
forward and made the best speech OF bis
life, which is saying great deal. lie
at once enlisted the sympathy or his
audience, as was PLAINLY evident
from the manner in which they ap-
plauded the many telling points he
scored against Radicalism. His speech
was an admirable supplement TO Major
Lassiter's, and the two have done INFINITE
good for the glorious cause for which they
ore battling. YESTERDAY was truly held-
DAY Tor Democracy. It's star h "a tne
ascendant, and | hope TO be able q send
YOU telegram on the night OF the str Of
Novem Der that will gladden. Your heart
and confirm the night of the Democrats OF
the Fourth District to the proud title OF
tine StonewAll Brigade Of the Virginia
Democracy | have already written more
than | intended, but | cannot conclude
without mentioning an incident that oc.
Cured on Yesterday which was worth
many votes 70 the Democratic cause, and
points "a moral that should not pass I'M
needed by the white people anywhere In
the South.
NEGROES REJOICE.
Major Lassiter during his speech ap-
! pealed to his Thlrd-part hearers 10 know
! what they hoped TO accomplish by voting
| for Weaver and Field when they admitted
| that they stood no chance TO be elected =;
]
/ their votes away and thus increasing the
I chances of Harrlson's election: A gentle
man III the crowd who has Third-party
procliylties responded: We hope this
| time to carry on enough moss
back Democrats and the next time
enough Republicans TO beat both OF the
/ old parties" The negroes, of whom there
were great number on the outskirts OF
/ the crowd, pressed up to the platform and
wildly cheered the idea that the Third
party wished to carry of enough whites to
| elect Harrison Their delight at the bare
! idea seemed know no bounds, and they
gave expression TO it in manner that
| showed plainly that thsy regarded the
! Third party as their ally in this contest.
| 1t was little more than many Third party
| Democrats could stand, and one OF the
most intelligent of their number was heard
to remark: That negro demonstration is
too much for me-" And so 1t will be toI
many others who read the signs arlght.
SECOND DISTRICT POLITICS.