Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-21
Editorial Correspondence.

received by the committee appointed 10
welcome persons from abroad. The hos
pitaliiy Of old HArdeman was At once
opened TO us. and We were made TO feel
a. home. The day for the grand barbe-
cue dawned with heavy folds Of clouds,
| threatening failing weather." but the
clouds we're gracefully festooned and
rolled away. The sun then with miii.
gated beams shone out genially.
The arrangements for the meeting
were admirably carried out under the
direction Of the Grand Marshal, Colonel
J. J. Nicely, with bis assistants, A. +.
Fleming, J. M. Richardson, M. r. Par
IRISH, John Warren and j. ]. DuBose.
By the way, we wish to make particular
mention oe Colonel Nicely, who is univer.
sally popular as though he were the
Patriarch of the place, and his wise
counsel and reasonable restraints were
only the reflex Of a common public senti
ment There could not be one more UNI
obtrusive or more highly respected and
esteemed by oil classes of the commu-
nifty, and yet seemingly so unconscious
ofthe high estimation in which he is held.
As Hamlet says, HE is one man picked
out of ten thousand" It was a most
mete compliment to make him the Grand
Marshal, and he was ably seconded by
his aids, who had all seen service.
At about half past 10 am. the line Of
march was taken up to the speaker
stand, situated in a beautiful grove Of
forest trees, which overshadowed the
grounds, making the place most delight
full. The committee Of invitation had
done their duty, and the committee on
reception--Capt. James 9. Fleming,
Col. NJ. T. Polk, I. Il. Hancock, Pitser
Miller, A. Ramsey and Harry M. Hill
had their hands full, but none could have
more faithfully and elegantly discharged
their dutya The Bolivar brass band was
on the ground, and, under the direction Of
W. S. Brooke, an old typo of Memphis
years ago, discoursed very good music.
This band having been organized within
the two past weeks, deserves much credit
for their proficiency.
The immense crowd, of about four
thousand people, having assembled
around the speakers stand, where ample
seats for the ladies had been provided,
the meeting was then called to order by
Maj. J. II. Bills, President of the day.
He then advanced and introduced Hon.
John W. Leftwich, and in doing so said
he did not think it necessary to 60 into an
investigation of the previous history Of
the distinguished gentleman who had
been selected as the standard-bearer Of
the Democracy in the Eighth district, as
his eminent services were well known,
having served in the same capacity to
the satisfaction of the people imme-
diately after the war. He will now repre-
sent himself and assure you of the pure
principles on which he desires his cleo
ton.
DIR. Leftwich then came forward, and
in his peculiar pleasing manner began
by saying that he was not surprised to
see so many of bis fellow-citizens pres
ent. Great questions were up before the
country, on which the life of the nation
was pendant, and the campaign was the
most important that ever came up in the
country since the inception of the gov
eminent. He spoke of the past history
of the government under the council
and administration of such great states
men, as Jackson, Polk, Henry Clay,
Webster and Calhoun. But how diff
ferent now, under the control and ad-
ministration of the present Radical
perty. The South held down by military
rule, life and property insecure, the
Constitution of our fathers disregarded,
and scarcely vestige of the old republic
left. He alluded to the corruptness Of
the Radical party, the usurpation of Con-
gress, and their endeavors to impeach
the President and find him guilty of high
crime and misdemeanor on the evidence
of the perjured convict Conover, who was
then in close confinement, and that the
Congressional Committee had gone to
his cell to obtain his evidence. He spoke
of the financial embarrassment of the
country and the remedy proposed by the
Democratic partyin paying off the bonds
in greenbacks. His speech, in all, was
very able, and the audience gave evil
deuce of being highly pleased by the
marked attention they showed during
the time.
Then the President introduced Colonel
William T. Avery, by saying that be was
glad to be able to introduce one of Har-
deman county's own sons; that Colonel
Avery had spent his early life in the
county, aud was well and favOrably
known to every one. Colonel Avery
came upon the stand and said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN; (He would like
TO say fellow-citizens, but Brownlow and
his Legislature had forbid that, by dis
franchising him, with eighty thousand Of
the same sort). He then referred to DR..
Leftwich, in a most complimentary man
ner. Said he had known him for many
years, and that be knew him to be gen
tlemaD, man Of ability, and that a more