Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-25
SPARTA.
The Grand Democratic Barbecue
Last Thursday.

The Grand Democratic Barbecue
Last Thursday.
Gathering of the Clans from Far
and Near-A Procession More than
a Mile LOng-FOur Thousand PeO-
pie on the Ground, and Great I'm.
thusiasm.
To the UniOn and American:
| SPARTA, TENN, Oct. %, 1S74.-The
| Democracy of White county have for
months been looking forward to the grand
rally Of to-day with anxious anticipation.
1t has been foremost in their thoughts, and
no effort has been spared to make 1t grand
success. Fat bullOcks, pigs, muttons,
turkeys and .yellow-legged chickens had
been sacrificed, Gd infRitlm, on the altar
of Democracy. The overlooking gamers of
Ceres have yielded of their abundance
enough to make hillock Of the staff of
life, and cards of invitation were sent 10 a
number of distinguished orators.
| Yesterday the clouds were lowering and
| threatened to spoil the labor of many DAYS.
| This morning the sun looked dImly through
veil of fleecy clouds, shedding Joy on
many anxious hearts. At an early hour,
| the people began to assemble, and soon the
| Public Square was filled with the honest
| yGmanry, many Of whom were accOmpan-
led by their wives and children. At ten
O'Clock, the Sparta rass bband in their
| elegant chariOJ, made the circuit of the
Public Square, playing Sparta March,"
and the voice of Capt. S. NJ. Snodgross,
the Chief Marshal was heard, calling on
the people TO tall into line.
With perfect good order, the procession
was formed, consisting of fOOtmen, horse
men and many ladies aud gentlemen in
vehicles of various kinds. The banner, on
which was inscribed the full Democratic
ticket, fioated CALAMITY over the heads of
the distinguished gentlemen who were to
address the people.
The van of the procession, which num-
bered thousands, reached the place for the
barbecue before the rear had left the Public
Square, the distance being a mile and a
quarter. On the way the band performed
several enlivening airs, and good order
reigned supreme, the duties of the marshal
and police being merely nominal.
1t is lovely spot, natural amphithea-
tire containing several acres, with Sloping
hills on three sides and a crystal rivulet
leaving the base of bald ridge on the
other. BrCad-tOpped, UmbragiOus trees,
clad in their brilliant autUmnal foliage,
formed canopy, not too dense TO admit
the sOftened sunlight. Hard by a bold
spring flowed from beneath jutting point
of rocks. Nature could not have found a
place more suitable for such use. After
several airs by the band, while the people
were arranging themselves conveniently
comfortably, Capt. w. NJ. Simpson, AssiS-
tant Marshal, introduced
COL. I. L. MURRAY,
of Meanwhile, who spoke for an hour
and fifty minutes, in his usual able and
forceable manner. He discussed at length
the relations of labor and capital, banks
and currency, tariff and taxation, taking
bold Democratic grounds Oh all points. He
dwelt at considerable length on the fund
ing and assessment laws, the former of
which he regarded IS premature and the lat
ter as Objectionable in many respects. He
urged with great earnestneSs the necessity
of defeating the Civil Rights bill, painting
in strong colOrs the dreadful consequences
that would result from its passage, chief |
of which would be the Capitalization of |
power in the Federal Government and the |
utter destruction of State rights, which |
would be the end of free government. Col. |
Murray was listened TO with attention |
throughout, and at the conclusion he paid a |
graceful tribute to the ladies.
HON. Z. A. JAMES,
OF Chattanooga, was then introduced, and |
spoke for about an hour and thirty minutes. |
He also discussed the funding and assess
ment laws, both of which he defended with /
chain Of consecutive reasoning, well forti- |
lied by facts and references to history, |
which produced a profound impression on
the audience. Several gentlemen, who |
have heretofore opposed these measures, /
expressed themselves as convinced by Col. |
James argument that they a e necessary
and right. The Civil Rights question was
discussed in a nOn-partizan and statesman
like manner, and the argument against it
was decidedly the most overwhelming that
we have ever heard. He ignored race and
sectional prejudice entirely, and based his
opposition to it alone on constitutional
grounds. He showed that it was a viola
ton Of the pledges given by the Republican
party when they came into power in 1860.
as expressed in the platform upon which
MI. Lincoln was nominated. Col. James
speech was well-spiced with racy anecdotes
and more than once strains Of the Hottest
elOqUence thrilled the listening crowd.
Near the conclusion Of his reuarks, a ladv~1
sent him beautiful bOquet. which evoked
from him witty and handsome ackuowl-
edgment Of the influence Of woman in
general, and particularly of her saIutary
influence on politics.
DINNER
was then announced. The whole length Of
table was 100 yards, gToaning Throughout
with subs;antials. The ladies, and especi-
ally invited guests, were served first, aud
then the 9th rs in turn, until all had par
taken of tie abundant good cheer. Not
the large concourse, there was
enough and to spare. After allowing the
people short time for recreation,
COL. JOHN NJ. CLEMENTsoN.
of Athens, was announced. His exordium
was delivered in an eloquent and flowing
style, accompanied with all Of the graces Of
the born orator. But the threatening as
pecfs OF the clouds and the rolling Of the
thunder, caused the audience 10 become
restless, and some began to Lease. Col.
Clemertson thought it best, under these
10 cut his speech short, 10
the great regret Of many, who had come ex-
preSsly to hear him. As the crowd was
dispensing, it VS. announced that, if the
weather permitted, there would De speak
ing in the court house
AT NIGHT.
Soon afterwards, it commenced raining
and continued until sometime after dark.
Notwithstanding this, considerable num-
Der of citizens assembled in the temple Of
Justice, and sClementsOn was called for.
Il was then ascertained that he, being in |
lisngsrd had retired but fbp uaonla mani |