The Van Buren press., 1872-08-06
The Grandest Gathering Ever
Witnessed in that Section
1900 to 5000 People
Present at the
Barbecue
SPEAKING FROM MORNING UN-
TIL NIGHT!
Hon. Joseph Brooks, Wilcox, Gum
ter, CIendenning, Crayens,
Hines, Rogers, Locke,
Fishback, Nc.
iBy Our Special Reporter


The length and breadth and depth of th,
present Liberal movement, cannot better be
judged than by the attendance at public
.peakings throughout the country. Notice
was given sometime since that "A Grand Bar
/ becue would be given by the citizens of Frank
| lin county and that many eminent speakers
among them the Hon. Joseph Brooks liberal
candidate for Governor. would be present
and address the crowd. This was to take
place ut Ozark, on the 3lst July. The day
came, and with it thousands of people. The
crowd has been variously estimated at from
5000 to 5000 persons. The speaking and gem
eral arrangements were superintendent by l..
l.. Witch, ESQ., Chairman CGdu&J ta73T''
Committee and one OF the most actiyca
crgetic Democrats in Arkansas The place
selected was the Oak Grove near the Semina-
ry, just within the city limits. The stand
prepared for the speakers was handsomely
decorated with L, 5. flags and appropriate
banners.
The first speaker was Col. Clendenning Of
Fort Smith, who held the audience spell
bound for one hour and quarter. His de-
nunciations Of the sycophants Of Grant were
terrible. lie exposed the hollow pretenscs of
the administrations. both State and National
lie was followed by Col Gran. Wilcox, in
a speech ofabout forty minutes. OF him we
need not speak, as you all know him and have
heard him and know his ability. lie con
cluded by announcing himself as a candidate
for Congress. in the 81 District, subject to the
action Of the Convention
Then came Col, j. +. Cravcns ofClarksville,
Col T. NJ. Guntcr Of Fayetteville, Col. +. j.
Brooks of Fort Smith, and Rutherford OF the
same city.
After this, dinner was announced and the
crowd adjourned to plentiful repast.
After dinner the Hon. Josepph Brooks took
the sand and was received with rounds of
applause, There being no one present to op-
pose him, his speech was comparatively mild.
However. it Is difficult matter to talk OF the
villainies of our corrupt State administ tration
without some bitterness and " old Joe put in
some heavy blows. He notified the red ink
fellows those corrupt scoundres who de-
light in scratching from the Registration
Books the names of qualified voters, that III
they dare do the same thing again, they had
better put their houses in order and settle
their little debts and prepare to meet an Of |
tended God. Mr.. Brooks fully and satsfac-
.orily explained his opposition to CLAYTON af- |
er Clayton's iamou, October speech. He |
showed that Clayton had stolen his Obs, B
thunder and put into that same H.
peech, and that his oppo,itis'h CO october
er that Saearh 'rns ',.'.' ,l to CLAYTON af- |
he.-. y s,1Hhoo,lesalle sale DIsqlo5oeausr he onno-cd
y,eutiment. of the speech, bat because he
knew Clayton felt differently and was only
deccivng the people In order to arcompsi' ~
hi, election to the L. 5 Senate. As to the
charge that he, Brooks, had SAID twenty
years hence " ould be time enough to enlran-
chise rebels, " he said that was simply lalse
aud entirely ont of keeping with his position
taken at Helena in 1867.
Following. came Capt. Hines, candidate Tor
Congress at large. lie Is "A happy ana i9rci-
bic speaker. lie was not long in making
himself popular with the crowd. Coming
among them an utter stranger he soon lad
hosts of friends and Franklin may be set,
down for Hines"
After night there was a meeting at the
Court House. which was addressed by MesSrs,
II. A. Rogers, }. IL. Rogers, FishDack and
Col. L. VI Locke. Inc fJfI Ninlth ,oluct
Band was In attendance and as usual flied
the air with sweet music.
The entire affair passed off most pleasantly
not an angry word was heard no quarrel,
no trouble. Never have | seen SO large Il
crowd of people and so much harmony
Much enthusiasm was manifested Tor BroOks
and the Brooks ticket So far as hretitN
and Brown are concerned. they vii carry AL
the votes, except about Il cOrporal'S guard OF
/, lI,rs and who have SOFA nOUN
and soul to Clayton, aud the Brooks ticket
will be close behind fnot abreast.
The people of Franklin deserve the hlSnest
praise for their Kindness and hospitality. me
people of that County are hard TO boat ana
ii the signs of the times do not miSlead' II
will be the Banner County in North western
Arkansas, in the coming election.