New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-10-20
MASS MEETING IN MOREHOUSE.
speeches Of Ray and sheridan.

MASS MEETING IN MOREHOUsE.
Speeches of Ray and Sheridan.
We copy with pleasure the following from
the Morehouse Conservative, reporting the
Republican mass meeting in Moreholtse
parish
In some respects this demonstration was a
auccess The crowd attendant was not so
large as anticipated. But still, for the brief
notice given and the decided stand hereto
fore taken by MOrehOuse against that party,
the number present was quite tiattering. A
rostrun of dry goods boxes was erected
under large tree on the courthouse square.
Hon. John Ray opened the ball; HIS
speech Of about one hour as a close logical
argument, we heard highly complimented
BY great many. Mr.. Ray is by no means
an oratOr-nO appeals to the passions or
fsancies of an audience-but it is admitted
on all hands that he is hard to answer. We
heard Democrat remark that the difficulty
of the thing was not appreciated until at
tempted.
Mr. Ray told us some unpleasant things.
The first point he made was charge
against the Democracy of having brought
on the war, and held it responsible for all
the evils following. In support OF this he
went back to the beginning. Tie spoke OF
the split in the convention at Charleston
resulting in two Democratic nominees, and
that the matter of secession was the point
discussed between the Union, or Bell men,
with Democrats in the canvass of 1860
Two candidates splitting the Democratic
vote, and the Union or Wing supporting
Bell. it became an easy matter for the Re
publicans to succeed-and Lincoln was
elected. Then came secession and the war,
brought on, said the speaker, "by Southern
Democracy: some of the conventions, Louis
lana for one, refusing to submit the ordi-
nance of secession to popular vote, knowing
that it would have been voted down.
Another point was a contrast between the
Democratic Legislature of 1867, and the
Republican legislature of 1869. This was
in answer to the charge brought against the
extravaganza of the last Legislature. Mr..
Ray said he spoke from the books, from
records, and read series of figures, show
ing that the Democratic Assembly OF 1867
made appropriations of six millions in excess
of the Republican Assembly of 1869. And
that, too in the face of the fact that the
Republicans had the extra expense Of car
-rying to- execution new governments
new constitution, etc. The speaker made
another strong point in favor of his party
by showing that they had done much, and
proposed doing much more, i'll the way of
internal improvements, inducing emigration.
capital, ETC., to come into our State. He re-
ferred to the railroad, levee and canal en-
terpIises being carried through, and the
certainty of the result. A sympathetic cord
was touched, when, by way of illustration
the speaker alluded to the effect the build
ing Of railroad through this parish would
have upon her interests. intusing new life
and energy to every possible branch OF in
dustry.
From his standpoint it is conceded that
Mr.. Ray made a strong speech. he had Il
respectful. and, we believe, a candid hear
ing Mr.. Ray concluded by introducing to
the audience General George A. Sheridan.
General Sheridan's reputation as an orator
Of the highest order had long preceded him.
As a genial, pleasant gentleman, he made
during the morning decidedly favorable
impression in his street corner discussions,
and sidewalk introductions and interviews
AS &c mounted the rostrum there was an III
voluntary drawing nearer OF the entire
crowd. No one afraid, but all anxious to
hear every word of one whose name as a
speaker stands second to none in the whole
country. We shall not attempt to give any
thing like a report of his speech. Ii is easy
to remem Der and call up without difficulty
the line OF remark of a logical, close reasoner.
But not that of the mere orator, while listen
ing the one seems as logical and conclusive
as the other, but one will afterwards lose
sight Of the logic in the beauty of word
painting and attractive wreaths OF rhetoric.
General Sheridan's, to do him full Justice,
was most telling, effective speech. Re
publican addressing a Democratic crowd,
the interest was untiagging from the first to
the last word. He has a great fund of an
ecdote, and no one knows better their
power in popular address, nor can be more
skillful in their telling, than General Sher-
dan. Many of his anecdotes will be re-
peated for years to come, and will bring ont
many hearty laughs when the grounds of
the present political contest will have been
forgotten.
At the conclusion of General Sheridans
speech, loud calls were made for W. ID. Brig
ham, Esq. Mr.. Brigham appeared at dis
advantage, from the fact of the lateDess OF
the hour, and the crowd, having to stand or
sit about on the ground, being tired out. On
the call for Mr.. Brigham, General Sheridan
claimed the right of reply, as it was exclu-
sively a Republican meeting. This right
was readily acceded by Mr.. Brigham
friends.
Being quite unwell, we heard but little OF
the subsequent speaking. The whites being
in sympathy with Mr.. Brigham, and the
cOlOred having in a great measure left, he
had but little incentive to attempt an
answer to the arguments going before. SO
We heard him say subsequently. We know
nothing of the reply to Mr.. Brigham.
= We have never Witnessed a more or
DERBY and well-behavcd political gathering.
The party ruling this State could not have
more satisfactory assurances OF the willing
ness on the part of our people to have q
fs;r liberal canvass, and an lnprejudiced
ballot at the approaching election.
We understand. that both Mr.. Ray and
fxaSeraT sheridan co,nplimented the parish
vc,:u highly. TO use General Sherldnn !,
owk language to Colonel Hoffman, while
cIy,;ra s;s hospitality, II have had jolly,
~eci lime in MorehOuse. The effect o.
&bis xiit by these gentlemen to our per,,s: 4;
fhsir reception, etc., WI tel TOT or pon'4
~ ord local interests in time 70 come