Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-05-18

simply amszing, they, the victors in
the fight, have been the uncomplaining
hewera Of wood and drawers Of water for
the vanquished.
We can no longer hide from ourselves
the monstrous folly and meanness Of such
an attitude toward such men. We can no
longer excuse IL, even to ourselves, by A.
fecting to sheer at the cause for which they
fought There isn't one Of ne, II he will
bat he honest with himself, who would
now reverse a single decision Of the war.
For my part, proud AZ | shall always be
that carried a musket for my section in a
war which fate made an inevitable necessi-
~, and in which therefore no one was TO
blame, except the bastard who shirked IL,
batting not one jot ofmy love for that peo-
pie whose heroic though unsvailing con-
stancy will remain heritage and crown Of
glory to their children's children, | con.
fsss now, and with the sobersst sincerity,
that am glad we we're beaten. | thank
God that common flag floats above an
undivided Republic. thank God, even
for the bloody surgery which cut out to its
last root the hideous cancer Of human sla-
very, and that, in the race for all that life
holds for any Of us, our former slaves have
an even start with the bluest-blooded Of us
all. II they can beat US to the string, let
them claim the purses and welcome.
In that band ofunselfsh and heroic spir-
It's who, after working out these great is
sues, subordinate personal ambition to
their party's good and the country's peace,
one Of the brightest and bravest was the
modest gentleman for whom l speak. In
his person, beg you to show to his COM
rades the recognition which has 80 long been
denied them and say to the world by unmis-
taxable action that it is no longer deemed
disgrsceful in Kentucky TO have been
Union man. To eighteen years Of rank in
gratitude and monumental folly, let us not,
l pray you, add another day or hour. In
deed, and in sober truth, we cannot afford
il.
This is no threat, Mr.. Chairman. The
men whose claims plead are not the kind
who skulk to the rear because they cannot
lead the battle. 1t is no threat, but ii is n
warning, il you will, and plea unbought
and from the heart for fair play, for hon.
est party ethics and for evenhanded JUS
tice.
A word or two more Of a personal char
acter and / have done. Judge Owsley is
wanting in none Of the high qualities of a
Governor. He has the dignity, the ability
and executive force which go 10 the make
up Of the ideal Chief Executive. lie is
counted warm-hearted man, and il, and
he might boast too of a grace Of courtesy
and bearing fine enough for the finest Court.
But let no one, misled by the charm Of
gentle manners, take them TO be in him the
badges Of an in6rm will or unstable pur-
pose. They are but the polish of thrice
tempered steel Though cast in a more
graceful mold, there is in his composition
much Of that iron metal which made the
first Governor Of his name and blood a
tower Of stubbornness and strength in the
earlier days of Kentucky.
Judge Owsley, above all, though de-
partisan, is least of all men a
He has breathed with full in
spiration that resolute buoyant energy
which has just begun to thrill with new
life every vein and artery Of the State. lie
belongs to, and is part Of, that New Era
Of thrift and enterprise whose furnace-fres
are here and there cleaning even now, in
our Weakening forests and reviving towns,
and whose aims, as purely practical as the
table, comprehend and mean
and pledge to the immediate future OF Ken
lucky new railroads, better turnpikes, new
furnaces, factories, better
Of husbandry, an inAexible adj
ministration Of the laws, a purer citizen
ship and regenerate State.
In fine, gentlemen, the Governor | am
to offer you is a trained man
Of afiairs, in the full splendor Of manhood,
in talents and requirements equal to the
highest, in birth and breeding the peer Of
the proudest and in all the relations Of life
a stainless gentleman.
Col. III. G. Martin, a Union soldier,
very neatly nominated Gen. Simon
Bolivar Buckner, amid round after
round of cheers. 1t is remarkable
fact that this gentleman's name is the
signal for applause every time it is
in the Convention and at
this writing ga. NJ it is theprevail-
ing impression that he will carry off
he prize. He was a Confederate SOL
1ier and that goes long ways with
he average Kentuckian. Congress
man James A. Mckenzie very elo-
Iuently placed in nomination Hon. j.
Proctor Knott and james w. Bryan,
n short and pointed speech named
Hon. Thomas l.. Jones. George
Washington seconded the latter nomi-
nation and Mr.. james Morris, that of
Mr.. Knott. No further nominations
being offered, they were declared clos. I
d, and the Committees still not APP
'earing, some idiot moved that Gov.
Blackburn address the Convention.
Jries of Eyes" and "no" followed, the