Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-30

PROFESSOR hin NIL . AS@aD'Ns-
reproduced. He was an aple anu
brilliant writer. and when he uhueIlooN'
i'm n humorous vein, TO portray Demo
cratic proceedings and speeches, he couid
indulge a most remarkable style OF gro
tesnue exaggeration, at which 1t was I'M
noesible not TO be amused. AT great
meeting of the Democrats, to ratl1y lne
presidential nomination made at Clnclh
natl. a very worthy and distinguishes
delegate said, in the course OF ms re-
marks, that while attending the cohNch-
ton he had obtained an idea. QuotiHs
tbis remark the next day in his account
of the meeting, the editor said that the
svrnuathies of the audience were pro-
foundly excited for this little Idea' aa
II invaded the mighty solitude Oh tno
sneakers mind" At the same or ano'her
meeting a gentleman who appeared upon
the platform was described as hdNins
traversed with his arms, In his gesticu-
lations, five hundred thousand mics Vi
enoce and the perspiration stood upon
his forehead in drops as large as the
Tvchange Hotel. Such absurdities are
irreeistiblv laughable, and it is to be pre-
sumed that the gentleman of whom they
were spoken, popular alike with poltlcai
friends and foes, could not resist inc
,oirtbf,,l feeling which they provoked.
AT a Wing convention, toward the lat-
ter part of the period herein mehtioneu'
there was one day, large attendance
! Of ladies occupying the eastern gallery
! Gir. Marmaduke Johnson, In the course
| Of his speech. turned TO the ladies', ana
with grace and eloquence, said some very
I handsome things to them, leading MN up
! TO a climax, in which, in the fulness OF
I his emotions he uttered the following
! celebrated lines:
| 'If you love me, as love you,
| No knife can cut our love in two.
The enthusiasm created by these re-
| marks was so great that the conVeh-
tion Immediately resolved that he shouid
deliver special address TO the ladles
that afternoon, which he did, to large
and beautiful assembly. lie quoted
Rurns. and l know not how many Other
| authors, and repeated, with much feel
ing. the VOW of Ruth, "Whither thou
| goest, 1 will CO." &c. My old friend
DIR. w. u. Palmer. did not think well o.
| such n diversion from the serious duties
of the convention, and said this was th'
reason why the Wings did not succeed
they were always after some such foohsh
ness. But the Doctor was bacheior'
| Among the local speakers of the dal
none was more popular than Ralelgh i
Daniel. In every important canvass MI
services were in demand. The grace o
his manner, the fuency ana ease VIII
which he spoke, and his freedom iron
bitterness and violence made him pleasing
and effective on all occasions.
Judge Robinson, one OF the most hlshy
honored of the bench, was once engaged
} i'm a discussion with Mr.. James Lyons
Mr.. Lyons made some critical remark
concerning the appearance of the Judg
upon the political arena, In reply L
which. defending himself he said he wa
| n law-abiding citizen, and he was sur
! he had sometimes administered the lay
very much against Mr.. Lyons consent
; As wit has been defined as language con
} veying q meaning that is obvious withou
. being natural. this reply Is entitled |
. rank as a very clever one OF that charaS
ter.
Mr.. Lyons often appeared before IN
, neople. He was one Of the handsomes
1 Of men. and his dignided and cour'eou
2 bearing. with his fine abilities, made M
D conspicuous at the bar and on all othe
= public occasions.
I Sidney s. Baxter. one Of the ables
lawyers and best-informed men OF n
? day. did not seek distinction or ONCE
: political life, though he would have stoo
= | among the foremost in the Senate or Ut
a | United States. l remember hearing MI
Q once in the old African church. DIT
\ liant and distinguished young member
the Democratic party was referred 10 .
: Mr.. Baxter as holding views contrary
. those OF his honorcd father. and as Their
q by embarrassed. Mr.. Baxter told, VII
G powerful effect, the story Of the boy WI
: was found weeping i'm the road over
n load of hay that had been overturned, ar
a in reply TO the remonstrance OF trave
a Ter against such excessive grief over
small a calamity, replied that he did NJ
a mind the load of hay. but daddy
l. under It,"
:. have mentioned only few of the di
IS tinguished men whose voices were heal
n in the old African church. Others OF Il
T. State and city. and from distant State
~ are equally worthy OF mention. l ha'
r undertaken to describe not even all thai
4. heard, but only those concerning who
At memory is most distinct. and whose a
A. pearances are impressed by some incide
,e of special interest. BILLY Gilmer.' as
CT was called, from Albemarle, was the mo
IN remarkable humorist OF his day or 81
or day. and the speeches. overlooking wi
I. the most amusing illusions and ans