Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-22

Diicr.
inc cream OF Virginia was said by the
richmond Whig to have been gathered
AZ this convention, the most imposing ss
20 number and character ever known IN
our political annals Some enthusiasts
placed the number at 5000. others M
<e"V' but the Democrats made an estt-
mate by actual count so they said. ana
pa, down $3.50 as the maximum. I incline
10 think D.ocO was nearer the truth.
NOT DISHEARTENED.
whist the boys" of the old Eagle re-
sounded with speech and song. and shou.
"i'er shout made the October welkln
ring again and again, the Democrats
were not dIsmayed, nor their cbaunion
cast down. Stirring editorials OF the Eu.
qulrer came forth 10 cheer its friends
HEADS Up.
was the caption OF one OF those "vyba,
are we fighting for? Not for a day-not
for one man-but for our PRINCIPLES
winch ought 10 last all time. and will
furnish the beacon-light OF future gene
rations."
The Democrats OF that day ridiculed
the clap-trap OF the Wings, and pitied
the poor gulls who were caught by Il.
They eschewed az rule PROFESSIONS
music. pictures. banners, and songs.
Ihese. they said, with log cabins, cider
barrels, coon skins. and gourds. were the
strongest arguments used by their oppo-
nehts' TO be a good Wing. said a Demo-
cratic orator. II is only necessary to live
In log cabin. drink hard cider, hunt
coons, and wear their skins for caps.
As the battle waxed hot, nightly meet
ings were held at the headquarters Of the
Wings and of the Democrats. The
sweat House" became place of resort
not only for the partisans OF Richie, but
for those Of his rival, Peasants. Some-
times local orator was greeted with
thunders of applause. but from a source
that left little doubt that a squad of
Wings were making game OF the orator
When the trick was discovered the En-
quirer. in scathlng paragraph. de-
nounced these facetious gentlemen as
"eayes-droppers. the stupios. or tools OF
the Wing party"
HIS FIRST SPEECH
II was in this once famous building that
William w. Crump-fresh from old Will
liam and Mary. fresh from the teaching Of
the erudite "Den"-rnade his first essays
in public speaking. And here WASHINGTON
Greenhow; William r. Watson. the Sec
rotary; George Wythe Munford, and
James a. Seldom, displayed forensic
powers that aroused partisan feeling.
u.
The sober-sided members rarely spoke
with here and there an exception. as
when orator Denoon or Orator DENLY |
denounced the Wings in fiery phillpics |
Orator DenoOn," as he was called |
mochngly by his opponents, was one of |
the most conspicuous Democrats then |
living in the city. l shall let one who |
knew him intimately-the late George |
Wythe Munford-describe the man: DE |
an.
was really an extraordinary man. hav-
ing ono of the strongest minds, and pos
sessing the most original thoughts, and |
the most original manner of expressing |
them, that ever came under (my) obser-
Walton"
THOMAS RITCHIE.
But Thomas Richie was the life and |
soul of the Democratic Association OF |
Richmond. He was, without designing !
% be so, and possibly without a thought |
hat sucn a character existed, what par
call the whip. Usually
punctual in his attendance at the meet
ngs, but sometimes late, owing, IL was
said, TO self-imposed duties which held
him TO service at all hours OF the night.
ne would enter the assembly with meek.
lifident air, and take his accustomed
seat next below the Chair, and to tho
eft of the secretary. His entrance was
signal for the hearty applause of his
admirers. IT was ironically said by his
,pponeBts that the meeting never or
;anized until Mr.. Richie appeared. IT
waited on the whip" mo move" says
he Richmond Wing, "till Richie comes"
4 tall, slim frame, almost worn out
With the violence Of its enemies. Sinking
long towards an end of the long table.
lear the platform Of the president-order!
rider! order. is shouted from all parts
f the roOm-the voices of Watson and
)enby are heard above the general
lamor. Let the President take the
hair"
In response to the cordial greeting OF
lis friends, Mr.. Richie would make one
II those moving old-fashioned bows that
marked the fashion in the courtly days
# Virginia.
Before him on the long table were
spread a mass Of papers, in print and in
When he rose to speak all
Eyes were fixed upon him and all ears
open TO catch his lightest word. His man
Ter in addressing the Spartan band
designation which was probably his
,wn-was deferential, his voice not yet
lttuned TO the temper Of his audience was
pitched in a lower, trembling hesitating
ley. His correspondence with leading
politicians in every section OF the Union,
rom all appearance, was vast and volum-
nous.
LETTERS FROM FRIENDS.
BY way of imparting information to the
;partans. he would read the letters Of
rusted friends. CT cite the latest intelli-
renee of his exchanges.
On all these he would make running
eminent, as though he were answering
ather than speaking aloud. But as
light after night he became used. as the
layers say, TO the glare Of the footlights,
is comments took the form of speeches,
nd those speeches became eloquent IL
AIDES against the odious Wings. who, ac-
ording 10 his theory OF their design. con-
amplated the destruction of popular gov
rnment. and the ruin Of the country.
He invariably spoke impromptu-never
Won from notes. When carried away
y the ardor Of his feelings. which was
the case. ne would amaze his
uditors by the energy and splendor OF
Is invectives.
A sudden transport would his soul en-
gage,
yhen all his limbs shook with the sacred
rage"
An old Spartan once said TO me:
"When Richie first appeared as {
,easer in our meetings. he was thought ,
, he a poor one His habit Of holding I
is right hand near his mouth-a habit I
,ntracted after he had lost his teeth :
,terfered with a clear, open delivery I
sDccch. But ne gradually overcame this :
abit and became one of the most charm 8
10 sneakers | have ever heard. In fact :
preferred Richie before some of the :
-iehtest orators Of that day" 7
GALLANT SPARTANS {
poforo diminishing the SDartans il should