The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-08-07
FROM VERNON.
Editor La. Democrat:

Editor La. Democrat
The Democratic Mass Meeting and
Barbecue. at Leesvillc, Vernon Par
ish, La, on July 22d, 1878, was very
largely attended by both sexes, there
being about 500 people present. We
had plenty to eat for the multitude.
Though the meeting was strictly
Democratic one, Mr.. Thos. Richard
son, the Greenback stump speaker,
was granted the privilege OF "a talk
for one hour. He went ahead as
best be, could for IL minutes, using
but very little argument in favor of
his own cause, but dealing mostly in
denunciations of the Democracy, both
National and State. He tried to hold
forth to thesview ofhis attentive au
dience, its short comings, and hurled
forth bitter! denunciations and vile
vituperations upon it, also accusing
it of every thing bad that he could
think Of, in the time allowed him,
which ire 'complained off though he
did not I'll his time by 10 minutes.
He denounced the State Legislature
and the Democracy for the Potter
Investigating Committee.
Hon.,J. B. Elan was then intro
duced to the large audience present
from the. stand, and in an able and
eloquent address, entertained the au-
dience for over an hour. His speech
was also listened to with attention.
1t seemed that the people were more
than ordinarily interested in the dis
cussion. His style was well suited
to the soccasion--mild, clear, argu-
mentative, persuasive and we'll cal
culated,to remove the fog and mists
from the eyes of those who, unfortu-
nately, have got bewildered In the
silly wiles of greenbackism. He
showed them plainly that Dem ocracy
is, and has ever been, striving for the
principle part of the measures de
manded by them, that the short COM
ings ofskhe Democracy is by reason
of their not yet having been in
power, and now just as day is dawn
ing, just as the Democrats are about
to get the reins of the, government,
how. very; uhwise, suicidal, almost
criminal, to now go to deserving or
rather discouraging, the great time
honored National Democratic party,
our only hope to turn back the tide
of Republican usurpation, tyranny
and oppression. He conjured them
to desist from so foolish course,
gotten up by our. enemies such as
Wendell Phillips, Beast Butler and
Pomeroy, for the purpose of disrupt
ing the Democracy. l think his
speech was efIectual, and had the
good effect expected and desired.
DR.. E. E. Smart, the present Rep
resentative from this Parish, did not
intend to speak, but as he was as
sailed by Mr.. Richardson concerning
his legislative proceedings, he arose
and cleared up those calumnies.
The venerable, aged, time honored
patriot and statesman, John r.
Smart, who has served almosta life.
time in State affairs --grown gray in
the support of Democrtic principles,
who had no thought of taking any
part in the public discussion, became
animated, rather incensed, think
came to the front with energy and
patriotism beaming ON his face, and
told the Greenbackers'that thouglrhe
was seventy-one years Of age, but a
few more years, at least, could he
stay here, that Democracy was suf-
fciently dear to him, that when he
found it assailed, inroads being
made on it, especially by those whom
he had ever held as its true friends,
and too by such a faction as is Green
backism, he would raise his voice
against it, never more to be hushed
until, hnshed in DEATH x Harrahs
three cheers for the'old gentleman.)
The amiable ladies and gentlemen
of the Town and country, who had
organized for the occasion, sung and
played delightfully."- from the extern
sion platform. They opened with
the democratic Wagon" substitute
ing "Governor Nichols for Govern
or Humphreys and Louisiana for
Mississippi, and at the close Of each
speech would give something new,
equally Interesting. Both their 70.
cal and instrumental music was well
timed and delightful, and brought
forth hearty annlause from, the large