The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-05-27

COL. sILvERroorn's spEEca.

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testimony into our State courts YER,
respectable crowd. in point of numbers
assembled at this place, on the 10Th inst.
to hear him. An Invitation having beer
extended by him to the candidates fol
the Legislature to meet him ia Joint dis
cussion, Messrs. Gleeson. Walker, and
Arnold, honored US with their presence
At half past 2 O'Clock precisely. the
"old wheel horse" from Hick u,an county,
mounted the rostrum, and for en- hour
and twenty minutes exhausted wind and
fury sufficient to initiate balloon Of the
largest size, in an effort to establish the
fact that the Civil Rights Bill, 18th aud
18th amendments to the eousti,utiou, are
unconstitutional. As it was iden .ically
the same speech that he delivered 10
Hickman sometime since, and differed
but very little from the speeches be de
livered in 1860, we deem il to Be entire
y unnecessary to record his remarks in
tull-suffice IL to say-that he may for
a time succeed in convincing some of the
farmers up this way that the dogma Of
social equality will be forced upon us
in the event our State laws are SO amend
ed as to admit negro testimony inn our
State courts, but reactions VIII seent
ually take place; sober, calm and dis
passionate view will be taken, sud the
farmers (the bone and sinew of the
country will find that he was very much
mistaken in his assertions. The atten
tive listener to Col SIS remarks,
would have observed that his speech,
directed by strong appeal to the pas
sions and prejudices of his audience, was
nothing save aud except bid for re
nomination, though he emphaticaily
denies that he would consent to become
candidate under any circumstances.
But Col. didn't it never occur to you.
that self sggrandizement is By far the
strongest principle animating the human
breast-mankind can not, and would not
if they could, ignore the maxim that sci
fshness is the main spring Of human
action; and when you say Col. that
you would not consent to become can
didate under any circumstances. we must
receive your statement cum .gruRo sails,
for already has ii been intimsted that 4
petition has been gotten up in Moscow
the head centre of politics" requesting
you TO make the race upon the issue OF
negro testimony alone: but it won't win,
and to these politicians word Of advice,
don't for heavens sake presume too
much upon your influence abroad, for It's
limit is as distinctly marked as the boun
dairy line between the Western coast and
the Pacific ocean.
ARNoLD's SPEECH.
Col. Silvertooth was followed by the
indomitable A. 5. Arnold, whose rubi
eund visage glowed with delight as he
rose 10 address the audience His speech,
which was read from manuscript, re
minded us of some of Bob Harris learn
ed perorations upon Ethiopian rights.
Your correspondent was denied the pleas
ure of ascertaining his views upon the
''uagur" question. For the lie of us.
we can't say whether he was 10 favor OF
the negro being permitted to testify in
our State Courts or hot. To sun it all
up. his speech was string Of empty as
sertions-the product of youthful as
pirant's gallantry rather than Of com
mon sense.
MAJOR HALE's SPEECH.
Major Hale, of Graves county, who is
a candidate for the State Senate, being
present, was introduced to the audience
by Col. Arnold. Prince Bismarck, in
distinguished visitors to
Emperor William, could not have dis
played more grace in this matter, than
did Col. A. (Long may you wave Col }
The Major in modest effort, stated that
he was a candidate for the State Senate,
but as his opponent, Capt Clark, was not
present, he would net take advantage of
his absense to press his claim, but would
wait until that gentleman could make it
to meet him.
JUDGE WALKERS SPEECH.
Judge Walker, now took the stand,
,nd made known his views upon the is
sues involved in the canvass. The ques
lion of negro testimony being paramount
to all others, occupied the NEST of his
time. He commenced desultory firing
at first, after while it became little
more regular, and at last he threw
which exploded in close prox-
unity to Col. S., who to avoid its effects,
rose to his feet and attempted to beat
retreat, but his usual good fortune ap-
peared to have deserted BIN He,
Judge W called upon him to assign
his reasons for executing his somersault,
upon the Cincinnati railroad bilD, IN
the last session Of the Legislature. Col.
s., contrary to all parliamentary etiquette
responded by saying. That sensible
man sometimes changes his opinions but
a fool never did," Ye Gods, was there
ever such quintessence of wit, contained
in a single expression beforel Whom
the Gods wish to destroy they first make
mad, is an old saying, and one peculiar
ly appropriate to his case. Jadge w,
then reviewed the whole ground that had
been travelled over by the advocates of
negro testimony, and showed conclusive
~ that the right OF the negro TO TESTIFY
in court was an accomplished ACT Col.
s., TO to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Want of time alone prevented him from
the subject further, as there
we're others to speak.
TOM GLEEsoN's SPEECH
Loud calls were now made for Glee
son. who came forward and IN an able
aud dignifed manner made known TO the
people his views. The subject of negro
testimony haviog been fully ventilated
and its advocates having been severely
animadverted upon by Col. s., but no,
deeming il tantamount to all the other
issues combined. he refrained from dir
ssctiDg it as fully as did Judge w. In
regard to the admission of negro testi-
mony into our State Courts, he stated
that, while the decision upon the cousti-
of the Civil rights bill was
pendipg III the United States Supreme
Court he did not see the importance of
making it direct issue 10 the canvass.
but differed in opinion with Col s.. in
regard to any legislation upou o,r mart