The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-06-16
GREEN CLAY SMITH.
A Former Governor of Montana the TEN
perence Nominee for President.
Interview by a N. Y. Herald Reporter.


Interview by a N. Y. Herald Reporter.
LOUISVILLE, May 22, 1876.
called on General, or perhaps had bet
ter say the Rev. Green Clay Smith, to-day,
to converse concerning his nomination for
the Presidency by the prohibition reform
party at Cleveland, Ohio, last week. He
talked freely and intelligently; but before
recording his remarks wish to detail some
interesting biographical information.
Green Clay Smith was born in Madison
county, Kentucky, July 2, 1882. His faith
er, John Speed Smith, was q prominent
lawyer mother was the daughter Of James
K. Duke, nephew of Chief Justice Mar
shall, of the Supreme Court of the United
States. At an early age Green Clay Smith
manifested a predilection for the army, and
On the breaking out of the war with Mexi-
co enlisted in his country's cause, being at
that time at the very youthful age of fifteen
years. He soon became lieutenant under
Colonel Humphrey MarshalPs command,
that worthy having the leadership of the
kentucky cavalry. Young Smiths conduct
for one so Youthful is said to have been
very gallant. It aroused within the bo-
SONS of his comrades a spirit of patriotism
seldom seen. They called him
THEIR "BoY LEADER"
their brave boy" &C., and would have
complied with almost any request he might
have made. Gen. Tom Marshall was so
! pleased with the youngsters valor that he
rendered to him position as Adjutant Gen.
eral Of his staff with the rank of major.
Green Clay wished to accept the position,
but his company would not consent to his
leaving. The men gathered around their
"brave boy" and begged him to stay with
them, and yielding with their desires he
complied. He continued fighting in Mexi-
co and came back to his native State and
returned to school, graduating at Transyl-
vania when twenty years years of age. He
abandoned his warlike ambition for law, and
continued practicing his profession until
the secession Of the States. He took de-
cided Union grounds and warmly espoused
the cause of the fedra2ists. Previous to the
breaking out of the war he was Douglas
| eIector and a member Of the State Legisla-
turc from the Coyington district
SMITH VOLUNTEERED
to ta,;1e up arms, and enlisted as private
in the command of Colonel Foley to pro-
| tect the Kentucky frontier. Upon the call
| for the three-year troops he was appointed
major of the Third Kentucky cavalry, but
soon transferred to the command of the
Fourth Kentucky regiment of cavalry as
colonel commanding. In June, 1862, he was
made o brigadier general, having then fig
ured in numerous engagements i'll Virginia,
Tennessee and Kentucky, utterly routing
Morgan once at lebanon, Tenn, he par
ticipated in numerous skirmishes when
holding the first ranks, and, after becoming
brigadier general, coped successfully with
General Forrest, near Brentwood. For the
gallant conduct then shown by General
Smith and his command they were
PUBLICLY coMPLIMENTED
by General Rosecrans. General Smith con-
tinued serving until his election to Congress
in 1868 by the people of his district. He
then resigned his position in the army and
went to Washington, serving full term as
member of the Committee on Elections
and ON several select committees. He was
reelected to the House of Representatives
Of the Thirty-ninth Congress, served short
time and then, in 1866, resigned to accept
the government Of the Territory of Mon
tana. Three years later be retired volun-
tarily from the Governorship of Montana
and sought private life in Kentucky. In
1870 he was.
ORDAINED A MINISTER
of the Baptist faith, and has SO continued
ever since. At present he is pastor Of the
largest church in the capital Of his native
State. Twenty years ago he became iden-
titled with the temperance cause and soon
scared as the leader of the Kentucky Order.
He has never lost his identity with the
temperance people, and has gone through
all the offices they have the power to be-
stow upon an individual. They all love
and respect him. and in convention assem-
bled at Cleveland rendered to him their
support for the Presidency. met General
Smith at the Louisville Hotel to-day. 'sDo
you think, General" said I, 'sof accepting
the nomination rendered you by the prohi-
btionists?"
General Smith-Yes sir, do.
Correspondent-Wha strength has your
party?
General Smith-We are 100000 strong,
and think, the balance of power, as it
were. If the Republicans at Cincinnati
and the Democrats at st. Louis fail to do
their duty our party will be made much
stronger.
Correspondent-In what respect fail to
do their duty?
'sAh,'' said the preacher general, with
light laugh, g that's telling. You see,"
continued he, as he shook his forefinger in
my face, 81 am once again in politics, and
must therefore keep close our party S. Sc
crets and secret hopes"
Correspondence the event of the Dem
ocrats and Republicans doing their duty,
then what?
General Smith-Then we have our origi- /
nal strength. II we miss things this time,
we will not in eight years hence.
Correspondent What did you say you
based your Judgment of this upon? !?
General SMITH don't think I said, but |
since you seek TO ascertain I will tell you.
The American element of our country is |
disgusted with the party in power and
afraid of the one which seeks to succeed.
TIE AMERICAN ELEMENT
wishes reform, vigorous and prompt. Our
party promises it. Thcre are also large |
numbers of Germans who feel the same |
way. OF these many belong to our Order.
We have great number of Irish, and more
OF both nationalities are coming.
Correspondent-The Teutons like their
book and lager?
General Smith-Some many, presume;
but to say that all Germans or Irish are !
confirmed drinkers is an insult, sir. There |
are very, very many of them as enthusiast |
tically for temperance as anybody.
Correspondent-Wh What about those lineal |
descendants of Ham?
"They. think, said the General, are
great on societies.
told him | thought SO and understood
the inference. We next referred to the |
Presidential candidates of Republicans and |
Democrats. Said ], 8. General ale you a |
Republican 9n
General SMITH never have been exactly |
Republican. | was Union Democrat. |
now incline to Repnblioanism as opposed |
to the present principles of Democracy. |
In Congress | voted for the constitutional
amendment for The abolition of slavery.
AVAILABLE CANDIDATES.
Corrsspondent-All things considered,
who is the most available, that is to say
the strongest man with the people Of the |
Republicans
General Smith--Bristow is the strongest |
man. with the people, and the most ayaila-
I,It. fer his r,aify