Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-07-29
THE Upton DEMOCRACY.
Five Thousand People in Mass.
Meeting.
snsed, Campbell, sImOntOn.
The Biggest Demonstration YET
in West Tennessee.

Preparations for a democratic rally.
barbecue and speaking commenced
several days ago at COyington. On
Monday evening, the Goth inst, at
8 o'clock, a party headed by the Hon.
Holmes Cummins, entered the court
house square and made preparations
to raise a pole. Many people were
c~ongregated. At $50, without any
mishap a magnificent flag staff
was erected, It's height being
one hundred feet above ground
AS the tall staff assumed its position
m the light of bon6res and a great
crowd, Mr.. Bob Rice touched off his
improvised artillery and kept up the
firing until eleven o'clock. Mr.. Cum.
Minis having accomplished his
work, made an eloquent and
happy little speech to the crowd
Tuesday morning the people began tC
pour into town, some of them to in.
quire what was the matter. They had
heard the cannon, not Cummins
speech.
Wednesday morning by s o'clock
the people began to pour into town
from all directions; they cam6 in bug
gies, wagons and carriages, on horse.
back, and even on foot. 1t was esti-
mated by half-past 10 o'clock that
there were four thousand people on
the ground. Soon after that the
train from Memphis arrived with a
very large crowd. 1t is safe to say
that altogether there were five thou
sand people present during the day.
On the ground about a half mile
from town, the meeting was duly
called to order, and Judge Sneed was
introduced and held his immense
audience spell-bound. We have heard
the judge before, but really he seemed
to be inspired on this occasion. His
eloquence and earnestness had their
weight, At the conclusion Of his ad-
dress the Hon. Holmes Cummings an
nOunced that a recess would be taken
for dinner, and speaking would be re-
sumed thereafter.
The barbecue was calculated to re-
mind one of the good old times. There
was the greatest abundance for all,
and every appetite seemed to be
tempted and fully gratifed. The man
ayers took pains to sec that all we're
fed. Particular pains we're taken to
make strangers feel at home, and the
welcome was SO cordial that
every one accepted the situa-
ton and entered heartily into the
spirit and enjoyment of the
occasion. 1t was even announced
from the stand that any one who had
not been to dinner, would please re-
port. But that was unnecessary none
had been overlooked. Southern hos
pitality vas never more happily exam
pied. The ladies were present in
numbers-wh&t would a barbe-
cue be without woman in
her radiance and gentle infu.
ence upon the barbarian mar ?
Hundreds of the colored people
were present and partook of the demo-
cratic roast pig and lamb with a will
ingness that was enjoyable even to be-
hold. Not only this, but they lis
tened to the speaking with an interest
that bespoke considerable intelligence
and thoughtfulness. All classes en-
joyed themselves and felt that it was
good for them to be together, and we
shall be surprised if they do not come
nearer voting together than ever be-
After dinner General A. w. Camp
bell and Hon. G. B. Simonton ad.
dressed the multitude. Their speech
es were replete with facts and logic,
eloquent and convincing. They spoke
at length on the national issues of the
day, and we're listened to with the
closest attention by all. At APO pm.
the little democrat belched forth,
and that flag of flags, the stars and
stripes, bearing the name Of Hancock
and English, and Simonton was hauled
to the head of the one hundred foot
pole, there to remain until hauled
down in November after the success
of the democratic party.
1t was a good days work for the
democratic party, highly creditable
to the people of old Upton and Shell
by, and greatly enjoyed by all who at
tended.