Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-29
Inauguration Ofthe State Canvass,
Grand Barbecue and Ratification
Meeting at Athens.
The Orators of the Occasion and
Their Themes.
Cheering Prospects for a ROusing
Democratic Victory.
Special to the Union and American.

recently in Montgomery and endorsing its
nominees or what is now universally
spoken of as the 'White Mans Ticket"
Fully twenty-five hundred people gathered
from Limestone and the surrounding coun-
ties, while the entire population of the
town seemed fully alive to the important
nature Of the occasion.
Great regret was expressed that Cover
nor Brown was not able to be present, but
the circumstances which detained him were
thoroughly understood and appreciated. In
fact there is but one sentiment down this
way concerning tss late demonstrations of
mob violence across The line-viZ. that, if
not suppressed, they will prove quite as in
furious to the people of the South as to
Tennessee herself
Had Gov. Brown been able to attend, his
friends had prepared for him reception
commensurate with his high official posi-
tion and his popularity in this section of
Alabama.
The meeting was held in the Courthouse
yard, where ample arrangements had been
made for the accommodation of the vast
assemblage. Over the speakers stand and
the seats reserved for the ladies-wto
turned out in great force and manifested
deep interest in the prOceedings-was an
| immense arbOr covered with oak boUghs.
Several of Alabama's ablest and most dis
tinguished men occupied the platform.
After music, by Capt. Gibson's Nashville
band, the meeting was called to order by
Mr. Paul L. Jones, Vice PresidenBof the
Athens Democratic Club, on whose mo-
tion Mr.. L. R. Davis, editor of the Lirings-
ton County NelUS, was made Chairman,
and Benton Sanders Secretary.
The time until dinner was devoted to
speeches by R. F. Ligon, of Macon, candi-
date for Lieutenant Governor, and Jno. n.
Morgan, of Selma, known as the eagle or
ator of Alabama"
Then came the barbecue, which had been
prepared in admirable style, and was dis
cussed with great relish by the thrOng Of
hungry patriots. Not only was there
more than enough for every man, woman
and child present, but the arrangements
were so perfect that no unseemly crowding
or confusion was noticeable.
In the afternoon, speeches were made by
Mr.. W. II. Barnes, of Opelika, Col. ClOp-
ton, of Montgomery, and Col. B. B. Lewis,
candidates for Congress for the State at
large, and II. c. Speake. Ex-Goy. ThOs.
Watts excused himself on account of
hoarseness.
In dispatch Of this length, il would he
impossible to do Justice 20, or even give
satisfactory synopsis Of, the speeches made
during the day. They were all full Of fire
and vigor, and it was evident that their ef-
feet would be felt in the campaign. Though
all the leading issues of the day were dis
cuSsed, the speakers devoted most of their
attention to the Civil Rights bill, concern
ing which the popular feeling is even more
intense in Alabama than in Tennessee.
They distinctly disavOwed having origina-
ted the idea of White Mans party, charg-
ing that the race issue had been forced upon
upon the people of the South by Congress,
and that the only way to meet it was by
harmony and thorough organization among
the white voters.
1t viii be noticed that nearly every one
of the speakers was from the Southern
counties of the State, which are so thorough
ly under negro rule that the people are
CRYING Justify for help from their more for
tunate brethren in Middle and North Ala
bama. Since the war, the citizens Of these
sections have taken little or no interest in
politics, and a very large number have
never taken the trouble to register, still
less to vote. The white voters out
number the negroes fully 10000, and
a comparatively small proportion of
the former are Radicals; so it will be seen
that the State can be easily redeemed if
the White Mans ticket is properly sup
ported by the masses. The Democratic
and Conservative leaders are confident of
carrying the State by 10000 majority, and
the people certainly seem to be aroused as
they never were before.
The Radical State Convention dOdged
the Civil Rights issue in its platforms, and
the nominees Of that party are playing the
same game, but with very poor success.
David II. Lewis, the present Radical
Governor, is a candidate for reelection.
He has never been regarded as an extreme
man and has some popularity among the
whites. The balance of the State ticket is
weak.
Hon. Geo. S. Houston, the Democratic
and Conservative candidate for Governor,
sat on the platform to-day. He is a citizen
of this place. Before the war he served
fourteen years in Congress, during part of
which time he served as chairman of the
Wavs an Means and Judiciary Com
mipees. He was regarded as one
of the very ablest men in the
House and his reputation as national.
Shortly after the war closed he wss elected
TO the United States Senate, but was not
permitted to take his seat, on account OF
political disabilities. The State Demo
cratic and Conservative Convention nomi-
mated him for Governor without opposition
and the selection has been endorsed will
enthusiasm throughout the State. Mr.
Houston is a man Of great wealth, to which
he is steadily adding by very lucrative
, practice at the bar. He will sweep Nortf
Alabama like wild fire and carry the State
by heavy majority. As a public speaker
? he has no superior in Alabama.
e Two ConEreSsmen at large are
/ 10 he elected. Alexander White
of Selma, fire eating secessionis
before, and rampant rebel during and fo
some years after, the war, but now a Ciyi
Rights Radical of the deepest dye, is a can
j. didate for reelection, as is also e. c
Sheets, of the mountain district. Both o
o these men voted to take the .'quintescenc,
D of denominations" from the Speaker
e table, and are now trying TO ex.
plain away their course By pretending that