The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-08-19

ted the absurdity of referring ques-
tions upon which the Legislature acted
under constitutional authority back
to the people. The people elected
representatives to attend to their bust
ness, and it was moral cowardice for
the representatives elected by the peo.
pie to shirk the responsibility. The
people wanted to elect men who had
the courage to do what was right, and
not demagogses. 1t was strange that
Savage, Wilson and Edwards had
never until very lately complained
that the bonds were fraudulently is.
sued, when the great Democratic and
Wing parties had failed to discover it,
and if there had been any such fraud,
as charged, it would have been found
out years ago by those strongly con-
testing political com batants.
He asked Edwards if he were will
ing to have the validity of the debt
investigated by the courts. Edwards
hesitated. Judge Wright would not
ask him if he was willing for the state
courts to decide it, but any court in
the world. Edwards still hesitated,
when the crowd pressed it upon him
so closely that in a weak voice he re-
sponded: 81 am willing to have the
people settle it." Judge Wright said
that the people had, in framing the
Government, delegated power to set
tie debts to the Legislature. Propo.
sitions could be amended, but when
submitted to the people they had eth.
er to say yes or no, and could not
amend them. Compromise could only
be reached through the Legislature,
the law-making power.
Edwards made the stereotyped
speech he delivered in Nashville and
elsewhere, appealing to the prejudices
and not to the reason of the people.
He read long documents publised by
the Executive Committee of the
Greenback party and bounced the rail-
roads. Edwards, in the course of his
remarks, made the startling statement
that the State has issued bonds to the
extent of eleven hundred millions to
the Knoxville d Kentucky road and
one hundred and hinety-one millions
to another railroad only sixteen miles
long.
When Judge Wright came to make
his rejoinder he completely demolish-
ed Edwards. Judge Wright declared
that the Republican and Greenback
parties had been clearly shown to he
one and the same, and that Edwards
had demonstrated this fact from the
manner in which he leaned toward
the Republican party. These two
parties had banded themselves togeth-
er for the purpose of defeating the
Democratic candidates, but they
would inevitably fail. Immense ap.
plause.
Edwards made a weak, faltering re-
joinder. When he began to speak al
least one third of the crowd left the
grounds, and when be closed but few
remained. Judge Wright made de
cidedly good impression here. He
left Milan that evening for Mckenzie.
A dispatch WAS received calling him
to Memphis tomorrow, but he deciin'
e. to 90. He will reach Nashville
to,mvrrow morning. Judge Wright,
had he remained, would have been
serenaded and the whole town turned
out to greet him.
Last Saturdays Louisville Courier
Journal had the following report o.
Gov. Wright's speech:
Arriving at Milan at 12:40, he wa,
met by large concourse of people
but was disappointed at not meeting
his Republican opponent, Hawkins
nor his boiling opponent, Wilson
being absent because afraid to mee
him, and Hawkins on account of do
mestic affiiction. He did meet the
"Knight of the Green Coat" however
and demolished him. He addressed
old citizens individually and pointedly
etectually clinching his points with
humorous, glistening illustrations
He cemented and packed the 400 Oh
500 citizens and ladies in a solid mas,
around him, eliciting many demonstra
tions of pleasure in the way of applause,
He arraigned the Republican dynasty
of twenty years duration, including
the leading characters-Grant and
Hayes particularly-in scathing and
mastery manner. Then he held uI
his Republican opponent and exposed
him and his platform i'll SO degrading
manner as to excite the contempt oi
all, even the negro Republicans pres
ent. He paid his respects, en- passdnt,
to Mr.. Wilson, and gave his hottest
shot to Weaver, of Iowa. and Weav'
er's follower here, Mr.. Edwards, com
pletely taking the sing-song tone out
of his voice and rubbing him of some
of his nasal twang, such was his ex
element.
The day was a brilliant triumph Of
the party of right, aud a proud day
for the city of Milan.
The South, Notwithstanding the cry