The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-10-20
The Mexican Veterans
at Newport.
Sword Pres entatiO
to Bob Taylor.
SPEECHES OF McsWEEN,
FLEMING and WHITE.

the MexicaA War at Newport. last
Friday, was q grand success and an
eccasioa OF thrilling interest. Mere
than three thousand persons were
present, the greater part Of whom
were citizens Of Cooke county. The
Mexican Veterans numbered about
100, representing nearly every regi-
nent and grade of Tennessee velun-
Leer service in that war-more than |
has probably ever been thrown to-
gether at one time since the regi- |
ments were disbauded. On the ar.
rival of the train from Morristown,
about O'Clock, p. n., a procession
of horsemen, veterans and citizens,
was formed and marched through the
town. The procession was headed
by aH excellent band Of music and
was estimated at from 800 to 1900
persons. It was 8 demonstration
sach as was never before witnessed
in that quiet and beautiful valley.
It vas the iatentioA of the projectors
of the Reunion thai it should be en-.
tirely non.psrtisan, and SO far as
their demonstration was concerned it
was carried out to the letter. Their
speakers ignored any allusion To the
men or issues OF the day. The par
tizans Of Ar. PeJtibens, however,
had the bad taste to prepare bar
becue on the same day and succeed
ed in organizing small but bolster
Gus crowd to attend it. II was har-
rangued, we we're Informed, in the
customary bitter, ilI-tempsred and
bloody shirt style by Pettibose, Mil
burn and Randolph. We heard msre
than oDe Republican dslare in the
most emphatic terms his disappre-~
baton at the attempt of Pettibone
and his men to interfere with the ova-
ton offered to Bob Taylor by the
Mexican Veterans rhsrs lie grsst
pleasure ia knowing, however, that
the behavior and demonstration of
the Pettiboue msn that day Till very
largely increase Bob Taylor's vote ia
Cock county On the day er the cleo
tIon. Mark that. A beautiful stand,
festooned with evergeens and Row-
ers and handsomely carpeted, had
been erected for the speakers on the
side of the prociPitouS knoll.Over-
looking the village. Abeut 2 s'clock
q vast crowd assembled In front Of
this stand, and after several airs of
appropriate music by the band, the
assembly was called to erdsr by W.
J. McSweeD. Esq, vine welcomed the
audience in the following appropri-
ate language:
LADIES, GENTLEMEN, AND Mex
CAN VBTERANs.--To arrest the sweep
ing current of heated political dis
cussion-Lo still for a time the tone 8
of mutual denuncistion and to turn
to the performance Of the pleasing
duties Of participating in the com
memoration of the historic battle Of
Mexico is-indeed ennently proper
and will nc doubt be productive Of
much and lasting good.
1t is not my PToviace to speak Of
the deeds OF daring, the undonbted
courage, and matchIess bravery Of
those who so nobIy responded ts
their country's call, and carried the
American banner victorious aud tFi-
umphant over every battle field in
that memorable war. That duty ia
Iefs to more gifted and eloquent
tongue bus l would be false to my
convictions and reoreant to duty if l
failed TO tell you that not only | but
the American people who are now
reaping the golden fruits produced
by your heroism will ever hold yeur
names in sacred rememberance.
BY your prowess, chivalry and
heroism an empire within itself has
been added. row constituting she
richest and most prosperous part of
this Union. This fact has not been
forgotten, it was remembered by one
whose name should be remembered
and cherished by you all.
In the decline of life, aad after
your rights sIumbered for years it
remained for the Hon. z. L, Taylor
to arise in his youthful might and
champion your cause.
Oae of you, reared amsng you,
reared ameng those grand old
mountains which like Heavens EeA-
tiaels keep watch and ward srousd
his ancestral home" it is not sur
prising that his mind waa early im-
bued with the principles ef untiring
devotion to justice, which il all ages
has been deemed o Characteristic OF
the dwellsr among the hills.
To-day as you clasp the hand sf
that comrade of yore and your mind
reyerts to the scenes of Buena Vista,
Cerro Gerdo and Monterey, think
thai it is the citizens Of Cooke ceun-
ty that welcome ySH and bids you to
partake Of the Inequalities of this
noble and generous people.