The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-08-18
GREnNBACK RALLY.
A Confederate Colonel in City Hall.

By eight O'Clock last evening a fair sized au-
the distinguished Greenback orator, Col John
R. Winston of North Carolina. Rev. W. F.
Eaton of Cape Elizabeth presided. Mr.. Eaton
after expressing his conviction of the ultimate
triumph Of correct political principles, intro
duced in fitting words the speaker of the even
ing. Col. Winston is pleasing, rapid, at
times almost vehement (through enthusiasm)
speaker. We give below an abstract of his
speech, which held throughout the close atten-
ton of his auditors and was frequently APP
plaudsd.
COL. wINsToN's SPEECH,
At the beginning of his remarks Col. Wins
ton spoke of the pleasure he had in meeting
the people of Maine, and rejecting that the
differences that once alienated the sections of
our beloved country no longer existed, and
gave some interesting account OF his escape
from a national prison and return to the South
by means of blockade runner, congraulating
himself at the conclusion of the recital, that
he is now mot only Southern man, but a ma
itenal man also, and working for the good time
when we shall be one in sentiment as we'll as
cou~try. The people Of the South generally,
he said, the men in gray who fought under the
gallant Stonewall jackson, and under Lee,
would rally with the boys in blue in defence of
the star spangled banner should the tocsin OF
war but sound, despite the demagogues at the
south, who still attempt to persuade the peo-
pie there that the people OF the North are
their natural Aenemies. He then spoke of
the rapid increase of wealth in the
hands of the few; of the tendency OF popula-
ton towards the cities and towns at the ex-
pense of the agricultural districts; and OF cor
poratiens controlling Legislatures. Reference
was made TO the service of Greenbacks in the
time of our dire need, when, as usual, gold and
siver.had their heads. am not addressing you,
he said, as Democrat,7or as Republican, but
as member of our common country. as one
wishing her well. / am Democrat such as
Old Hickory was, Republican after the
model of Thad Stevens and Abraham Lincoln.
We demand Justice alone from the great COR
porations toward the common people, and as
measure of common safety the immediate pay
ment of the bonded debt. Can the people hope
for relief from the Democratic party? When
in full control of the lower house of Congress
what steps did they take towards relief? tell
you, my countrymen, when you seek to raise
either of the old parties, don't attempt to
yesurrect the Democrats party the
the Democrats hate the Greenbackers
worse than the copperheeads were hated
at the North during the war. The
Republicans they have bulldozed until there is
not Republican state left there, but as for the
Greenbackers they shoot them. They know
they can browbeat the Republicans, but the
Greenbaokers hold too staunchly to their prin-
ciple, and in their case violence must be re-
sorted to. Ny friends, if you build up the
Democratic party in the North, you strike
down the Greenback party in the South, the
only hope of lberty-loving men in that sec
ton. 1 am thousand times better Democrat
than those who declare themselves Democrats
and belle their words by their acts Some OF
you say that the Democratic rarty has more
humanity and love Of liberty. Yet in North
Carolina, SO completely have they captured the
ballot box that there is not county officer
elected by the people. We Greenbackers of
North Carolina are struggling to recover the
ballot that has slipped from our grasp, and will
you allow us to be attacked in the rear? The
South's only hope, repeat, is the true Green
back party In conclusion mention was feel
ingly made of tho strong desire of the colored
people for instruction, and of the need OF
Northern generosity to enable them to obtain
this boon.