The Van Buren press., 1871-10-03
Speech of Senator CLAYTON.
Scenes Of Rich, Rare and Racy.-.Tht
Best Show Of tie Season.

Fourth Ward, Senator Clayton, among
others, was invited to deliver an address
at City Hall last night. The hall was
literally crowded with people, both blacks
and whites. The senator spoke nearly
three hours, and owing to the lateness Of
the hour at which We write we can only
refer in brief manner to his speech.
The senator started off by saying the
only question to be decided at the next
election was whether the republican party
CT the ku-klux democracy-democratic
traitors at the south and at the north
should succeed He then instituted a
comparison between the two parties, con.
tending of course that the republican
party contained all the virtue and the
democracy all the vice of the nation He
said the republicans had clear majority
of 10000 in the state, if the party was
not divided by the treachery of party
leaders. He counselled harmony in the
party in order to avoid such a result. He
referred to Tennessee as the resort Of ku-
klux outlaws Some paper at Nashville
had taken him to task for what he had
said about Tennessee--but he had the
first colored man to see from that state
who was satisfied with the situation. Ten
nessee-, he said, was our lantern. He
then referred to Missouri as furnishing
similar example. We must keep our eyes
open, or the same game will be played
here. We have fought three battles here
and came out victorious. How did we
win in IS? BY standing united. The
senator evidently forgot his proclama-
ton wiping out the votes of eleven coun-
ties, when making this remark He said
Gratz Brown was as great traitor as
Benedict Arnold or JEFF Davis There
are men here who are willing to play the
same game as Gratz Brown, and for the
same reward-the goyernorship. The
man who proposes to do this has a
smooth tongue, is q smart man and talks
honesty and amnesty. He assails the Off
GERS Of the government, and the men that
applaud him are the ku klux democracy.
He would not charge that he had gone
overto the enemy, but circumstances were
very much against him. He's here now.
There lie sits, pointing to Joseph
Brooks, who was sitting in the crowd
and his name is Brooks Loud applause,
and calls for Brooks Brooks! by hun
dreds of voices This cheering and yel
ling for Brooks continued for five minu-
tes or more. The senator folded his
arms and waited. Continued shouts for
Brooks
Clayton-Let us see who the little band
is here that is yelling for Brooks Stand
up At this, over half the crowd arose,
and with hats flying and yells for Brooks,
it was a perfect bable for time.
Clayton After order had been re
stored | And now let us see who are of
the opposite party, A large part ofthe
crowd stood up, with yells for Clayton,
interspersed with cries for Brooks.
The senator then endeayored TO pro
ceed with his remarks, but there was such
a yelling for Brooks, that it was some
minutes before he could proceed. He
said he had nothing to say behind Mr..
Brooks back that he WAS not wiling to
say to his face. he was glad that he was
here. Mr. Brooks proclaimed the same
platform as did Grutz Brown in Missouri
last year. lie said he was no candidate
...ss .,i--, ...a ~>,.iy ir, tiaoi,ttcrvst ortire
party at heart.
A voice-You have an Office for six
years.
Clayton-Yes, sir, was elected to the
highest office within the gift Of the peo
pie, but not by democratic votes. He
came by the Office honestly He never
asked democrats to vote for him. Some
did vote for him, but tLey thought they
could use him Finding themselves mis-
taken, they now cursed him The scna-
tor here referred to his impeachment,
and claimed that he was fully exonerated
by the withdrawal of the articles Of i'm
parchment He said the indictment now
pending against him in the federal court
would result about the same as the arti
cIes of impeachment If any man would
establish the fact that he ever took one
dime from the treasury wrongfully, or
acted conuptly he would agree to leave
the state The senator then referred to
his conduct in issuing certificate Of
election to Gen. Edwards, stating that he
would do the same thing were it to do
over again, He believed Gen. +. WAS
elected by the legal votes Of the district,
and gave him certificate accordingly.
He would soon be arraigncd before the
federal court for that act, and proposed
to stand his trial like any other citizen
If found guilty he was willing to abide
the result He made light Of the "new
departure and quoted from the Helena
Times and other documents to show that
Mr.. Brooks was going to travel the same
road as Gratz Brown. Arkansas was re
garded rs the best reconstructed state at
the south The republican party here
had brought about peace and security.
He had not made one dime since he had
been in Office. All he had was made be
fore he went into politics If Mr. Brooks
was nominated for governor he pledged
himself to stump the State for him.
| Loud applause
Calls for Brooks. One Of the officers
of the club came forward, and said that a
programme of speakers had been decided
on After they got through, Mr., Brooks
or any other person could address the
meeting Loud and continued cheering
and calls for Brooks. Clayton pulls out
his watch and says he can stand and wait
all night.
Justice psars--Scnator Clayton, l