Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-09-15
COLLIERVlLLE.
! he Three GubernatOriaI Caudl-
dates Have a Fair Hearing,
Wilson Leads Of and Carries
the Crowd.
Another Triumph for True'
Democracy.



ner, and the Memphis LEDGER and a
few others, left Memphis for this
place on the $50 train this morning.
Wilson was in a fine humoE being
highly pleased with his reception in
Memphis, both at the depot aud at the
opera house; also at the encouraging
news from all partsof the state. Not
withstauding the daily skinning he
has received at the hands of Judge
Wright, per the Nashville Americans s
correspondent, Mr.. Wilson has gained
eight or ten pounds in weight since he
started out on the canvass. Judge
Wright seems rather grum, and
if he is as genial and charm
ing as generally described he reserves
the sparkle of his wit and
zest for select circles. 1t is evident
that the worthy gentleman is neither
hopeful or in a very pleasant frame of
mind. Colonel Edwards has a biz
reseryoiriof wit and dry humor con-
cealed under an exterior as solemn
and clerical as that of Josh Billings
the great lecturer and speller. While
walking up and down the platform at
the depot this morning he engaged a
Memphis man in conversation, and
offered to make a bet on the election
failing to find a taker, he said that he
did not know how he was to get even
on the canvass unless he could win
something in this way.
On arriving here the candidates
we're met at the depot by large num-
Der of citizens. A splendid flag rip.
pied in the breeze from a tall pole
near by, and improvised artillery
belched forth a hearty welcome. Mr..
Wilson was entertained at the resi-
dence of Hon. B. c. Bledsoe the
others were taken to the hotel, and all
no doubt Jared we'll. At half past ten
o'clock speaking began in grove
a little southwest of the de.
pot. The crowd did not number
over three hundred perhaps, but it
was composed Of solid representative
citizens, many of them being from a
considerable distance. Forrest Hill,
Eisherville and the near districts of
Fayette county were represented. 1t
was an earnest, patient crowd and lis.
tened to over FIVE hours of consecu-
tive speaking,
MI. Wilson led off, being introduced
by Mr.. M Lambeth, of Bolivar. He
made, | should think, one of the most
powerful and convincing speeches Of
the canvass. He was in splendid voice
and turned his opportunity and power
to the best account. His arguments
are concise, logical, plain and as nm
answerable as an axiom in morals, phi
losophy or mathematics. 1t is unne-
eesaary to say that he was not suc
cessfully answered in single material
point. / have never before heard
such a forcible and effective speech on
the state debt question. Well may
the state credit men tremble at the
inroads he is making in their ranks.
If the people can only hear him
throughout the state, he will be
elected, without a doubt, by a big |
majority. l always thought Wright
was third ip the race, and now l know
It. Wilson spoke On hour and a half
with electrical effect, and was fire.
quently applauded, although the croWd
endeavored to catch every word he
uttered.
Mr.. Wilson put very "sarching"
question to Judge Wright, in new
shape, aud the Judge sat dumb before
his shearer. Wilson called upon |
Wright to know whether, IL elected |
he would in message to the legisla- |
ture recommend that no settlement Of |
the debt be made final until after ap- !
proved by the people at a separate |
election, and if such bill were ap. |
proved, would be or not veto it when |
passed BY the legislature. Answer
these questions properly" said Mr.
Wilson, land put 1t in writing, and
then We can begin to talk abogt har-
mony in the party; we can then com.
municate with eur committees, and
see if something cannot bel
done to unite the party" This
produced a profound impression.
The Judge looked awfully solemn,
aud said not . word. He evidently
felt that heghad met a crisis and vas
unprepared for it. His friends, too, |
looked as grave as tOmbst0nes. In
stead of being on the defensive, as the
high credit organs continually repre-
sent, il is just the other way. lie is
aggressive from the word go, and has
no occasion to explain or defend bis
own record. His friends here are de
lighted with bis splendid effort. 4
Col. Edwards spoke next, and really !
made a very happy effort, and kept
the crowd in a roar OF laughter most
Of the time. His speech was greatly |
enjoyed by. all. When not saying !
something droll or funny, he has a
very earnest, impressive way about
him.
Judge Wright spoke last. He
seemed to labor at great disad-
vantage, and had to refer very often
to his note book. He is no match for
Wilson, and fell far short Of general eK-
pectatiOn, He said, inreply to Wilson's
proposition, that he could not agree
TO anything unconstitutional. A con
stitutional amendment, he said, could
be submitted to the people, though he
might oppose even that on grounds Of
public policy. He was rather serious