The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-04-29
OwENsBoRo, KY, April 25, 1867.

Editors Journal:
1t may be interesting to some of
your readers to hear what the Union
men are doing in this part of the Dis
trict. According to appointment the
candidates for Congress addressed the
citizens of Daviess County at this
place to-day. There are three candi-
dates before the people, viz: John
Young Brown, representing the
Rebel Democratic party; b. G. Ritter,
the Conservative candidate, and Capt.
Samuel Smith, the Union, Mr.. Ritter
spoke first. andswas listened to- with
profound attention. He made no
issue with Brown politically but said
as the Conservative party had saved
the State of Kentucky, and been the
true friend of the rebels -inrrepealing
the repatriation act, he thought it
wast but just that his gpartyo should
mold the offices. He stated that Brown
would. not be. allowed a seat in the
United States Congress on accountSof
his notorious disloyalty during the
war. Personally Mr.. Ritter is a clever
gentleman, but he has been instru-
mental in dividing the Union party of
this District. He was made a tool of
by the Rebel party, and as he now
has served the purpose for which he
was intended, they have kicked him
out. We suppose Mr.. Ritter has
found out that it is a bad plan to give
up old friends for new.
John Young Brown followed, and
was greeted with loud and boisterous
cheering proceeding from the crowd,
which was composed mostly Of ex-
rebel soldiers. Mr.. Browns speech was
really sanlusing to any reasonable man.
He stated that the men who aided
In suppressingEthe rebellion are now
the disunionists;ss that,the Democratic
party lssthe Governments best friend. :
He attempted to prove that be. was a..
loyal man throughout the entire war.
Upon reading his letter (e~noouragingS
t~hesshooting down of loyal men, to-
establish his loyalty, he was loudly
and ~voeiferously cheered for the SEM
timents therein scentaineda .oMr.
Browns time having expired, Capt.
Smith walked boldly to the PLATFORM
to address the audience He was not
permitted to be heard for some little
timeFon account of the noise made by
the exit of most of the rebels, who
did not seem disposed to listen to the
truth. Capt. Smith is a young law
yer of fine attainments, a native
Kentuckian, and a bold and fearless
exponent of the principles of the great
Union party, He is the peer of Brown
in every particular. 1.-THE second dis
trict had been searched, a better Sc
lection could not have been made
than Captain Smith as our standard
bearer. He is winning hosts of friends
wherever he goes. He served with
distinction and honor during the war,
in the 18th Kentucky Infantry. Du-
ring hissspeech, he ventilated the can
didatesS of the rebel party, from Gov
ernor down to the lowest county off,
Ger, and more particularly did he ex
hibit the character of ID. Howard
Smith. He had experienced some
kind treatment at the hands of this
individual, in being forcibly dragged
from a sick bed, and shared his tender
mercies for some time. He dealt some
heavy blows upon Brown, which evil
IDENTIFY disturbed him. He paced the
different parties before the people in
their proper light. During the deliv-
cry of his speech he was repeatedly
Kissed by insulting rebels.
Captain Smith, having given his
consent to address the Union men at
night. Mr.. Reinhardt gratuitously
rendered his Hall for the occasion,
and long before the hour for speak
ing. the room was filed with earnest
and enthusiastic Union men. DIR. j.
U K;phIv introduced Cant Smith in
a very appropriate speech, In which
he said:
GENTLEMEN-In Captain Smithyo
will find a mar worthy of your sup
port. / was intimately associated with
him throughout the terrible war that
has just closed, and cheerfully testify
to his valor, intrepid courage, and
great soldierly bearing. l have seen
HMM somezof the bloodiestbattles of
the war, come out covered with
smoke and blood, when it was not
required of him by the Office he
held. When l heard he had an
nounced himself as a candidate for
Congress in this district, it did my
heart good to know that he advocated
the same principles to-day that the
did while fghting rebels at Ft. Dom
elson.
At the conclusion of Doctor
Kimblyls remarks, Capt. Smith de-
livered an able and eloquent speech
of one hours length tAmong other
things he said: Gentlemen-I am
happy to meet so many of the unterri-
fed loyal men here tonight. | must
be permitted to say from what [ had
learned from my friend Brown, that I