Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-07-19
ZEN. BATE AT JACKSON.
Happy Address Of introduction
by Robert Gales.

The following is the short speech Of
Robert Gates, editor of the Tribune
and Sun, introducing General Bste to
a serenadiug party upon the occasion
Of his recent visit to Jackson. 1t is
full of patriotic thought and we'll
worthy to live beyond the occasion Of
its utterance. Mr.. Gates said:
GENTLEMEN--I have the pleasure
and honor of presenting to you a Dem
ocrat tried and true, one above re-
proach and one who has been proved
in the dollhouse of fattery and in the
chill air Of disappointment. We see
in him a Democrat who practices amid
all temptations the loyalty to party SO
many preach; who bows ever to the
assembled will and wisdom of his
party, believing in its exalted mission
and frowning upon discussions and
assertions; one who stands upon q
plane Of patriotic duty as high above
self and petty pride of opinion as
Chimborazo towers above the fretting
sea,
Wreathes are woven by fair hands
and teasts are spread with which to
greet those who come from the par
ties %counsels with the stamp of party
choice upon their banners. But how
infinitely more fitting it would be to
thus greet and honor those, who fail
ing to win the prize Of special lead
ership amid contendiDg factions and
selfish ambitions, yet return with IN.
shaken loyalty and upembittered
hearts, proud to battle even in a cause
that dwarfs the individual in its sweer
into the upper realms Of duty. Had
such a custom existed in the last de
cade, the Democratic champion who
stands beside me would more than
once have been loaded with wreaths
and the gods of old could not have
Toasted more splendidly. Twice the
United States Senatorship was almost
within his grasp, but failure did mo-
shake his loyalty to Democracy. AL,
though not a candidate, he severa.
times came close to the nomination
for the Governorship, and yet failure
did not inspire his manly heart will
either bitterness or resentment.
Men less deserving have become
soured because the party would no
crafty their ambition. Men hav,
gone into opposition for half the dis
appointments and wrongs he hai
borne uncomplainingly. Men are to
day stabbing the party that mad,
them because it will not submit Il
their dictation. 1t is then refreshinv
and elevatlng amid so much selfish
ness, pride OF opinion and Arrogance
to behold a man who has the patriot
ism and the nerve to hold his part,
and its grand mission high above loca
policies and selfish ambition. Fo
these reasons especially, because ou
champion has the courage of duty, tn
unsel6shness of loyalty, the sight Il
look beyond the little wrangles tina
toss and vex for the hour to tn,
!, grander duties that lie beyond an,
above all local strifes, that we gree
him SO cordially and with sWellin
: hearts pledge him devotion.
And sirs, we have confidence in hi
e~loquenee and in his power to arous
and lead the Democracy to victory
He was taught leadership on fierce
t. fields than those Of politics. Hi
/, plume has been the aeur de lis Q
! many a surgiDg and sounding eonfic
i, where blood rained aud ran on san
culinary fields, He will lead still /
victory, for the Democratic masse
are rallying TO the old tri-color witt
=. resOunding tread,
: "They are coming as the wind comes Whe
, forests are Blended.
They ere coming as waves comes when nayi,
arc stranded"
They are coming in the strength {
: union and with the sublime courae
., Of duty, and they will achieve a vic
tory that will teach all foes a whole
some dread of the aroused thundeyS {
Democracy.
Gentlemen, | kAye the honor of il
PRODUCING the gallant champion !,
Tennessee Democracy, the gifted "
Il. Bate, whose proud mission it is
restore peace and power to the mari
Of the people in Tennessee.