The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-18

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viduality and to insist upon individual
liberty OF action. | have also claimed and
advocated the right OF every man TO strive
10 SO shape the course Of the party as to
conserve his right of freedom of action,
put have also held that when the party
through its accredited representatives
chosen at the polls in the accus-
toned manner, had declared its will
ana pleasure, that il was the
duty OF every Democrat TO follow the be-
quest OF the party and abide by the course
marked out by the collective wisdom of its
chosen spokeSmcn and representatives. /
heard before | arrived here OF the dissatis-
iactlon OF small number of delegates
with the legislative ticket nominated by
the county Democratic convention, and
was told that a ticket had been put in the
iield by the discontented element for the
Legislature alone. l have been told that
they intended TO support me for Congress,
and l have been told that my election is
assured. A voice, you bet it is. When
was here in August | said il is the duty
OF every Democrat to abide faithfully bv
his party's action, and that no conscientious
and faithful Democrat could afford to an
tagonlze 1t, however much the partys Sc.
lectlons might differ with his individual
preferences, | now desire TO say, with a
Keen appreciation of the fact that il may
cost me my election TO say 50, in view Of
the fact that my own success is impcrilcd
by the declaration, with the possibility of
defeat staring me in the face, in view Of
such dcclaration-l desire TO say that
do not wish to receive a single vote which
is not given TO the straight Demo-
Eal a.
continued cheering and applause In
saying this do not forget the
fact that the complaint against
the action OF the county convention
would not hold good before q Jury of
iair minded and unprcjudiced men. When
the delegates 10 the late convention were
selected | was present and saw the man.
agement OF affairs at the primaries. They
were fairly held, and every man who
cared 10 had the right TO register his
choice in the customary way. There was
no contest and no opposition from any
quarter. do not see how any reflection
could be cast upon that convention which
would not apply with equal force TO the
convention which nominated me. |
think, IL | felt disposed 10 make
myself felt in that convention. | should
madcmy fight there aud. IL defeated, stand
squarcly and Loyalty by the colors OF NV
party. lAppllusc. want To say that II
there IL stain TO be cast upon my party,
or any part Of IL, desire 10 take my share
OF 1t, and II 1t must 90 down in defeat
! want TO 60 down with IT, [Appausc.
! come from a race Of people who never
desert their colors. They have always been
true, stcadlast and loyal to the Democratic
party The people OF the south, chivalrous
in their devotion To the cause OF Dcmocra-
cy, have ever cherished their LOYALTY 10
friends and principle as the proud
est trait IN their character. Inspired
by their example and guided by
the brilliant light OF their ilustrious
record, | can see my way clear Ia but
one course Of action. | shall stand or
fall with the fortunes Of my party, and
desire no personal victory purchascd at
the price OF the party's defeat We are
in the same boat, aud ii We 90 down wen
go down together. lApplause.l The
cstimablc gentlemen who compose the
Reform party are carrying out line Of
policy which may defeat MS and accom-
plish the victory oi the party which hon
orcd me by nominating J.. u. Eaton as
my opponent Before the close OF the
campaign / hope TO meet him on the
stump and repeat there what / shall say
about HIM here.
nE TALKS ABOUT NOBODY, nut
"Short as NV political career has been. ,
have never made IL point TO indulge IN
personal attacks upon those who were OPP
posed TO me. Fully conscious oi the great
trus. rcposcd IN me, | have cul'lvOrrl 90
~ guard Il that those who cJniiici IL to
me might have no cause 20 be ashamed "
ihc man they bad honurcd. Private char
actcr ~ general thing should not be-
dragged into politics, but the exception
it down rs law for my guil-
ing not 10 attack the personal
character OF political opponents, but In
thc present ease ] must depart from that
rule. Tho Republican party, with It's
natural talent for laundering and follow
ing lis bascr instincts, has nominated q
man who, 30 usr his own language, siinks
with degradation IN the eyes OF the Icoplc
oi Iciby county" Applause. What
| say here ! shall repeat in the light ot
day, and on the stump, and everywhere
where men may here my voice, and repeat
that that man, L. u. Eaton, is q disgrace lo
his party, foul blot upon the
ciiIzcnshipui shelby county. tApplau.c.l ]
Eaton, the Southern Democrat, Who never
had noble impulnc Ia his life, or il
lac ever had one managed to contract II
within the limits Of bis ppckctbopk S.n.
sitipn. am aware that avaficc j. not an
ISSUE and would not refer to IL did net
his conduct make IL un issue before the
people. ! can forgive man for things
said IN the heat ol debate or in the excite
mDnl Of discussion, but commend me 10
the villain who, IN the retirement Of his
study can deliberately aud ia cold blood,
sit down aud write a letter at
tempting 10 enErit upon tho Dem
uru.ic party tho vIiBiny stamped
upon his own character. Applau.c "
! dp not prove upon ihc stump Whl | ny
here ! Will rrira from the contest and
put upon YOU the iguUminy aud dsgrlrc
Oi being represented in tOugrr, by l.. j..
Eaton. Money is not un issue, you may
sly, but II * made an issuc In the face Di
q nomination purchased, us hls b,pH pub.
licly changed, ~ the open light oi day,
with q shame. - disregard oi dccgncy'
"A Republican In the audience here rose
and sIld "lhc people viii never forget
YOU, Alr. fhciJn, Tor your course Ia
Court square during The s.rcot car siko.
avn q Republican, bu. va ar my miu.
"Ihlnk YOU, said NJ. PuuIun; u NJ only
goes to show how decent Republicans afr
disguised with the nominee Of their own
party desire 10 revert 20 the fact that
ihc honorable gentlemen engaged in
Chimpiouing the Reform ticket urs Oh.
,curIng the real issue and lending aid
and comfort 10 the old enemy, whom
we have fought 80 long and 50