Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-09-08
RADICAL MEETING.
Emerson Etberidge Waves the
nlOOdy shirt.

AMAEEHOn ANnGEluKE waves the
hlOOdy shirt.
The white and black Radicals Of the
city held a meeting at the Exposition
building last night. attracting some Eve
hundred people, among whom we're quite
a large number Of Democrats who
wished to hear Emerson Etheridge talk
about politics from the other side of the
stream 70 that which he stood upon and
GRATED from when he stumped West
Tennessee against Brownlow and the
Radicals, aud met in public debate, in
Court Square, Bald Eagle Stokes of
East Tennessee.
An effort was made TO secure the
Craftsmanship of the meeting for WIN.
NJ. Randolph, but this effort was de-
ieated by a cut and dry programme"
which imposed that honor upon Charles
Kortreeht, and he introduced Mr.. Ether
idge as the orator Of the evening.
1t became very evident and apparent
that the speaker had lost a large amount
Of his old-time fire, power and graces Of
oratOry, and, as a platform orator or
talker he is no longer hat brilliant
stellar attraction" as the theatrical
critics say, that he was formerly. The
wear and tear Of unsatis6ed political
ambitior,th the feeling probably that repub.
lies aud Democracy are and have been
ungrateful in failing to recognize labor
and talent, may have had something Ia
do with Mr.. Etheridge's failure as an at
t~ractiye orator last night. Old age, which
Shakespeare says Comes on apace,
desdens even the brightest intelleets il
due time, and the volcanic fire of youth
burns out rapidly beneath the snow.cap
ped mountain summit OF gray hairs
Literary people, those who have reaC
history closely, well know that a theme
is everything to a speaker. A gloriou.
theme inspires the orator with glorious
thoughts that blaze and burn, while on tn
contrary a poor theme produces q poo
speech. When Mr.. Etaeridge, SOM
years ago, had for a prolific them
Brownlow and Radicalism, and had 70
his subject poor old bald-headed Stokes
i he rose to high flights OF oratory an.
enthused his hearers who were crowdeN
around him in Court Square; but las
b night, when he had for a theme the d.
n tense Of Radicalism and Radicals and tn
e abusing Of Democracy and Democrat
the speaker became the poorest Of pla
form orators, and his disjointed ute
ances developed into a prosy, ramblin
|. and incoherent address that fell lii
lead upon the public ear. There was
cofession of thought, a %discoHuectic
le Of IDEAS and a rambling in words tn
0. astonished many citizens who went thel
to enjoy an oratorical treat. He gave
IN slight wave or airt to the tail-end Of Il
e. bloody shirt, but ever that dramat
st effort did not come up TO the legitima
ir business INDUCED in by Morton al
other big lights of the Radical part
The speech was a hash disgusting al
badly seasoned and may be put down
a failure, so far as attractiveness or OIL
tory is concerned.
At the close of the speech the in
pressible G. P. NJ. Turner appear
upon the stand, and belcbed forth in
usual noisy and impulsive style. |
amused the negroes who we're preset
Ial for a short time, and he then retir
IL amid much more applause than Mr.. &
:. eridge received.
1t was announced in yesterdays !
pers that Mr.. Scott, a colored man, y
20 editor Of the Msrysville East Tennesi
re Republican, would deliver an address
the close of Mr.. Etheridge's harang
H. but this hearing was not given him,
the adroit manipulators of the meet
nd Of last night. They did not desire
RS, hear a colored maR advocate the ell
he ton Of Yardley, the colored candidi
.ST for the office Of Governor, nor did ii
intend permitting a colored nan a
~. elitor to express himself in favor of ]
ir den aud Hendricks. The white dir
at tors of the meeting shut everything a
3 everybody ont, unless it or they ca
IN up to the bloody shirt standard, aapI
NJ. SO weakly by Etheridge and Turner,
eSs Parents!
er' Before you purchase anything in