Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-21

Elicit was chairman. | am informed
that this entire committee, with the ex
ceplion Of two members. were the friends
Of Judge Flippin. That COMMITTEES
alone had the power to call the meeting
and fix the time and place. This was
regularly done. 1t was a public meet
ing, open to al, and called BY Flippin's
friends. ]. %as advertised to meet at
seven O'Clock. but was not called to
order till more than half an hour after
that time. The meeting was conducted
in the usual way-there was no hot
haste-no haste at all. The attendance
was larger than usual on such occasions,
numbering from two 10 three hundred
citizens. Mr.. johnson aud his trieads
we're there, but neither Judge Flippiu
nor his friends, except a very few, we're
present. Nov, Why was he not therei
WHY were not his friends there2 Does
not n sane man know that they could
have been there if they had desired itH
Two or three, perhaps more, Of his
friends were in the hall aud wit
messed the proceeding. II anything
improper or unusual had been done, it
was due to Judge Flippin, due to them
selves, and due to the public, that they
should have risen aud opposed and de-
nouced it. But no. they spoke not a
word; they were as dumb as oysters;
silent as the tombstones in Elmwood
cemetery, and we're only heard from next
day upstairs IN the back room Of q
lawyers ofics blowing of and blowing
up the mass.meeting and executive CON-
mite. No, gentlemen, it was not on se-
count Of any informslity or %impropriety
in the mass-meeting. We must find s
reason for their absence elsewhere, For
days before the time appointed for the
mass-meeting, his anyasse were all
over the city, with the industry and
energy Of q lightning-rod agent, persusd'
ing people to sign a printed petition ask
is bis honor to become a candidate Tor
reelection, ignoring mass.meetings ex-
eeutive committees, and conventions.
Now, can any sensible man fail 70 wee
through the whole matter2 Pslpsbly, be
and his friends we're not there because
they did not want to be there; they
we're absent for q purpose, having preds-
termined not to be bound by the action
Of the convention. A Democratic con.
vention was a very good thing when it
nominated Flippin, but not very good if
il should happen to nominate johnson,
as be feared it would. Now this is a free
country; every mar has a right to run
for Office il be choose; but let him do it
fairly and honorably; let It not be done
by pretending to be tricked out OF a
nomination that he did not make a single
effort to obtain. If he had desired it the
hall might have been filled with his par
%tisans, but be acted upon the principle
that
He who frsm battle runs away,
May live to fight another day."
/ think, however, it would have been a
fairer and more chivalric proceeding TO
have taken a tilt in the city ball, and to
kave shivered lances with johnson on q
common ground.
In conclusion the speaker paid a very
high tribute to Mr.. johnson. he said:
You have a candidate in Mr.. John
Johnson who is capable and honest, and
worthy of your support. He needs no
eulogy from me. His life and character
among you are his own best eulogy. The
poisoned arrows Of cslumny and SANDER
have fallen harmless at bis feet. He has
been wantonly, cruelty aud unjustlY as
sailed; every means, false and foul, have
been used to defeat him, but he is the
friend Of the people; he has more love
for them than be has for the bondholder;
be will stand by you in trouble, in fam.
inc and in pestilence. When the great
scourge swept over our city he followed
it in its solemn march from house to
house. looking death calmly in the face
and administered to the wants Of the
dying in those sad sbodes where wanl
and penury reigned. You know him to
be a true man; stand by him and elect
him.
During the address and at It's close
Colonel Leoney was heartily ~spplsuded
The next speaker was Judge 7. "
Brown who, as usual, made an able ant
effective address, aud was frequently
cheered throughout its delivery. 1t wa
MS first humorous effort.
Mr.. John Johnson appeared next, ans
was cbeered by the whole house FOR mort
than a minute. Mr. johnson commenced
his speech by saying that the proud posi-
ton assigned him as the standsrd-beare
Of the Democratic party Of the city o
Memphis was not accorded to him as al
orator or speaker. He would, therefore
not attempt those roles. He would con
6ne himself to answering the charge
made by his adyerssries. he had
record, and that record be intended I
defend to the best OF bis ability. q
felt hat his record was good, and tina
record, % chief magistrate Of the cit.
OF memphis, he believed had renderei
him competent to hold that oGic
again, and to the satisfaction Of Ii
people Of the city. He would MOI
answer the charges made against hi
administration by Mayor Flippir
he proceeded to refer to and answer, 9
considerable length, certain points mad
by Mayor Flippin in his speech at th
Opera House some two weeks ago.. q
went into facts and figures 10 a plair
straightforward business way, whic
showed that be knew what be was tall
ing about, and was thoroughly posted q
to the condition Of the city. Atthe col
%clusion Of his speech be retired ami
hearty and earnest applause.
Judge Adamg. on being ~introducs,