Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-22
HON. L. A. James

| was introduced by Mr.. Trezevant at the con-
clusion of Senator Jackson's speech. He
was called by Mr.. Trezevant the "mountan
howitzer," and he did ego of" with consid-
cradle defamation several times. The
Greenlaw Operahouse is still there, however.
Mr.. james said:
FELLow-CITIZENs-I never remember to
have addressed the people of this county but
once before in my life. 1 am not a wabbler.
I stand to-day where the Democratic Con-
ventions have stood all along. By postpon-
ing the State debt question many millions of
dollars have been added 10 the debt. We
have had all the benefits of procrastination,
and we are reaping the results of it. If
John V. Wright had been elected we would
hear nothing of Hawkins and his matrimo-
NAL associations. l told that never since
Adam down to the present time has any
platform been adopted in conven' ion
or out of 1t that could equal this
in its moral, intellectual, social,
political, irdividual and collective heresies.
l am going IL cali a spade spade. Lite is
too short to conceal the truth with nice
phrases. In the Bate platform they start out
by saying that eve have the right 10 settle
the Indebtedness" Now who are I'VE" any,
how? "We" are not the RUSSELL men, be.
cause they are boilers. eve" are not the
Hawkins or the Beasley men. eve" are
the Bate men, and "we" claim the right to
settle. Well, then, you pay the debt. II ii
is true that the Bate men have a right to
settle the debt then they ought to pay. But
they say, "you are part of the State" but you |
have disfranchsed us
In the second story of the platform they cay, |
"Thst while we accord to all honest differ |
ence of opinion, we regard the enactment of |
sixty three-four-fve-aud-six as uuwise." |
And why unwise? because it is, in our |
opinion, not in accordance with the views of |
the people" That is a fine Bit of gratuitous |
wisdom. General Bate says this platform is
the finest piece of architecture he ever saw
All have to say on that score is, that our |
tastes in architecture are widely different.
now come to the following section:
THAT there is portion of the State debt,
such as the bonds issued for the building OF |
eur capitol, for the purchase of the Hermit
age, ETC., and commonly known as the STATE
debt proper, with accrued interest, the va
Iidity OF which has never been disputed by
any portion of our party, we consider as a
valid and sacred obligation of the Stale, and
favor the payment of tbs game in full less
war interest; and that we are in favor of
paying IN full the tweniy-nine bonds held BY
the widow Of james K. Polk, and all bonds
held by educational, literary and charitable
Institutions ON the first day of January,
1882"
You see this divides the debt into two
parts, one of which is sacred and the other
profane. Though I am usually an admirer
IF sacred things, yet on this question 1 find
myself on the side of the profane. Governor
Harris stated that our sacred debt in 1861
was 81, 100000; now, according to the Bate
men, it is only 100000, though not a sin.
,le cent OF 1t has been paid and the interest
las been accruing every year. II l could
,nly get my debts settled that way, would
,e able to pay a handsome fee to the man
'fiecting the settlement. I heard an
Id Resdjuster say, with tears
n his eyes, the other day, that he
lever wanted 10 die until old Andy Jack
on's grave was paid for. / feel like weep
ng for him now. II the beautiful theory
hat the spirits of the dead watch over us
Iere true, old Andy would rise from his
rave, seize his sword and compel every man
a Tennessee to pay twenty-five cents apiece |
nd settle the debt at once. They talk about
he railroad debt. WHAT'S that has sent the
fe blood of trade dancing in your veins
gain, and that is now building up your city?
is the railroad system. When the Atlantic
cesn was connected by rail with the
river, the orators were never
lore eloquent. The sections of this plat
,rm violate about four or five sections OF g
le constitution. / know that is a small n
after with some men, The Bate men de-
are when they are talking to the people
lat they propose 10 carry out their platform,
II Wnen leSisidtOf SOcS 10 NasHNlilc ne
rs to swear to the constitution, and that c.
Divides that no man shall be disturbed in Of
Ie and property. o.
Don't this platform propose to take away u
n per cent. of the debt of the boudholders? u
ct me make a comparison. Mr.. Jones,
no has 500 with him, meets a gentleman
the road who says: 81 am road agent"
What is your business?" says Jones 81 q
vide with people, says the agent; II un- y
rstand you have 500 with you" Yes 1t
Veil, let me have $50" II will let an
u have s40,n says Jones, "and no pr
,re." "Then will take it all, says the be
emit. That is exactly similar to the no. an
dit men, who say il the bondholders don't
re fifty cents they shall not have anything.
e Bate men deny the bondholders Or
mission to the courts and the right in,