The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-24
FIRING THE SOUTHERN HEART"

Bob T0Ombs to the FrOnt-Innam tory
Speech by the Ex-Rcbel General.
From the Atlanta Constitution, June 1871
Judge Linton Stephens last night spoke at the
Hall Of the House Of Representatives to full house.
We noticed many ladies out. He was frequently
applauded during its delivery.
Hon. Robert TO0mbs responded to calls in one OF
his characteristic Efforts as folows:-
FELLOW CIrIzENs-I am not in this programme.
U.aughter) came here as a listener. | have not
made q speech in public since 1885, have been
watching events though am an outlaw. l am
living God that have lived to just such state
of things because shall be able to sift the char
from the wheat-we can find out all the true demo-
Gratis, chalk their backs and kick others out! laugh
teri stand upon the principles of public liberty
winch have been advocated for eight centuries by
my ancestors-principles as good to-day as In 1887.
stand by free governments and the right OF free
men to govern themselves.
You talk to me about your Grants and Mr. Gree
leys and all such stun. l will beat them at the bal
lot box or any other sort OF box you choose. TAP
Now, this il a very plain questlon-there il no
trouble about 1t. Show me man that tried to
make party out Of the negroes and viii show
has turned democrat and will show yOu Greeley
mana thief that has robbed the State, and will
Mitchell orphans and viii show YOU a Greeley man.
Show me State road lessee and will show you
Greeley man. but show me an honest man and
will show yon an anti-Greeey man.
Why, we have no questions with us. There IS not
white Greeley man in the county OF Wilkes, the
old hornets nest of the Revolution.
am glad we have got them all together We
viii get the new departnrists, the Bullock men, the
swindlers, thieves In one pile, and then get rid OF
them.
AS to Greeley and Grant, with exception,
would support old John Browns ghost II could
maintain democratic principles and popular rights.
would support the devil in preference to either of
them, because when you support the devil you sup
o very o ye re Is mo
bic fight, and he fights Him pretty tough fight till
now-so the story goes in revelation.
As to me, lput my politics on one section OF Magma
Charta. No man shall be imprisoned, found guilty
or exiled unless by the decision OF Judge, and the
verdict Of jury according to the laws or the land.
The laws that He makes, and will accept the laws
from no other. SO far as the government OF the
United States Is concerned, am its enemy. have
trod under foot the haunting lie a hundred times
and trust to do 1t again. They are no friends OF
mine or Of my country-they are no friends OF
liberty.
what's the difference between these people9
Grants soldier, sort OF fool; but he loves his
friends, sticks to his Kin, his kith. Qaughter)
But Greeley loves nObody-dOnt even love his wife,
and Is woman's rights man. He Is woman's
rights man. and wouldn't vote for him for that If
for other reason. .srhat's the matter with Han
nah" II the women only had the right kind OF
husbands there would be no womcn's rights women.
Laughter ana applause rney SAY great f., deal
his greatest distinction.
ten you one thing: said to an Augusta man,
from2 From Augusta, my own district. Where did
Conley and Blodgett and Eph Tweedy come lromS
why, rom Augusta. Ana nope we SenJ I'LL the
rogues we had. They all gathered here In Atlanta;
for where the carrion Is the crows will gather.
Bullock came they came-more vultures. You did
not raise one OF them on your soil. But take the
hard listed men or this town and there is not
people In the world who show magnanimiJy
grander than the common men OF Atlanta.
Now fellow citizens, don't know where this Is
gong to; with all reverence say it, leave 1t
with Cod ! know my duty; to do justly to main
tain free government, to maintain public institu-
tons, to fight all towards and traitors to stand on
this grand old ship OF the constitution, and fight
under the principles OF eight centuries. It's true,
pirates aboard In the Grants: r0gues uOring
her bottom in the Greelcys Cast one into the sea
hang the other; do your duty; trust to God. What
then2 Let the storm come: let the robbers have
charge OF ner; let the borers succeed nail to the
mast the holy Gag, ara give her to the God OF the
winds the lightning al the gale. Vociferous ap-
plauseD
or the speech the Atlanta Constitution says
General Toombs' speech viii be found In another
column. IL is short enough for us to give before
going to press and bitter enough to inlame the
passions OF a set OF Quakers. II anything could de-
stroy the harmony OF great party, large part OF
whose most hOnOred members have urged course
or promised contingent support to course, it
would be the denunciatory characterization be-
slowed upon that course, and the individuals hon
esty advocating it, such as Mr.. Toombs last night
gave to all democrats who have championed Gree
ley support by the democracy either directly or
cOntingently.
Surely we have come to a bad pass when polit-
cal discussions are thus to be conducted by our
most distinguished leaders. IL can In no possible
strife and reduce political discussion to abusive
nor n hnr n