The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-31
MEMPHIS TENN. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 81 1888.

TO free this State from the despotism
that then prevailed over all its borders
lapplausel; time, il my memory is cor
rect when at least one-third Of
the white men OF West Virginia
were disfranchised in the land
upon which s-they were born; when
despotism prevailed over West Virginia,
and then II was the great Democratic
party, which pays no worship except TO its
God and to freedom, that party deter
mined to make supreme effort to deliver
West Virginia. Cheers. They thought
that might be Of some service in discuss
ing the question whether you should hold
another constitutional convention or by
other proper means legislation that would,
by constitutional enactment, restore the
disfranchised people of West Virginia TO
their political rights in that State that
gave them birth. 1t was thought
that ! might be of some service, and
cheerfully accepted the invitation and en-
tered upon the campaign and spoke over
large part OF this State. The result YOU
all know. In few years-in 1872, II my
recollection is right-that disgraceiul dis
reimbursement, which was shame and
stain on the State, was removed and the
motto Of West Virginia, "Montcani Semper
Liberi, mountaineers are always free, in
stead OF being mockery became truth
throughout the length and breadth Of the
State cheersl and from that moment be-
gan the prosperity OF West Virginia. And
when l saw today that immense crowd
OF people, filling your streets with pro-
cession too numerous 10 count; when |
felt that they were free men, and not only
free men but that they were Democrats
In Il. Al al.
determined TO remain free, my heart
swelled with emotion, and thought how
good II was that | had been able to do
some little toward bringing about 40
glorious revolution. Cheers Now,
my friends, IL is my purpose to speak TO
you but briefly tonight / am not ac-
customed to make long speeches, and yet
II were 10 give vent TO the feelings Of
my heart in this State, which has always
been my friend, az | have been its friend,
too. Cheers and applause. A voice;
'Be friend again. II should give the
you a great deal longer than YOU would be
willing to listen. [Cr,es Of mo, no; we
will sit here till daylight"l can't do
that tonight am TO be followed by your
worthy Governor, and you all want 10 hear
him. rs lac deserves to be heard, and there
fore shall not take up time which prop
erly belongs 10 him. [Cries OF
"Yes you WILL" and applause. In
the second place, although | am tough
enough, God knows lcheersl, and might
speak until the sun shines over our heads
tomorrow morning, yet must not forget
what our opponents say. You have read
in the papers and you have seen in their
pictures that ! am n poor, decrepit old
man, with one foot in the grave [great
cheers and laughterl, and, my friends,
John Sherman. OF Ohio, lately almost
shed tears when he said 10 his audience
that IL was shame that the Democratic
party WAS dragging around his old aud
afflicted friend 10 make votes ior Grover
Cleveland. Laughter and cheers.
voice: "Iou are coming, you will
get thero."l won't complain Of that,
the Democrats don't complain OF that, and
that would seem as II the goddess oi
health herself did not complain Of IL Bit
Laugh,er.l My friends, Il is now more
than ten weeks since began this cam.
paign. have travelled more than five
thousand miles. have spoken 10 many
times that am afraid % mention the
number. | have spoken indoors and out
OF doors; have spoken from stationary
stumps aud from those coniounded stumps
called the tail end Of n car [grcal
laughter and cheers that always managed
90 run away with me just ~ was max ing
the best part Of my speech. ! have done
all that, and | have gained strength every
day. have never failed 20 attend a meet
ing where / was appointed 30 speak, aud
my health has been 80 good that have
never failed 10 speak on account OF III
health but once. Then | was afflicted. ~
might be the strongest man who ever
lived. Samson, or Hercules himself,
might have been afflicted, and Of course
could not speak. [Chcers. Well, / think,
ior dccrcpit old man, Tor an old fellow
with ono foot In the grave, I
have n pretty good record. Laughter
and checsl, and so am hero 10 speak 10
you tonight, and you can judge whether
look like ghost or live man. Before !
make any remarks upon the great econ
onic questions that 80 much concern the
people this year, and upon which | shall
occupy but a very few minutes Of your
time, | want 10 say another thing "A
voice: Three cheers for the Old BIN.
dana fint and foremost, | want b
thank the Democrats OF Wheeling aud the
neighboring country, and the people who
came all the way from Pennsylvania and
Ohio, aud the Lord knows where else.
lgreat laughter and applauscl for the
kindly and most cordial welcome thoy have
given me upon this occasion, and lwantto
speak Of the great pleasure | have enjoyed
Ia meeting here many old friends whom
know many, many yean ago, and you.
You who arrived 1t tho age oi three score
and ten, know well what pleasure Il II In
meeting an old acquaintance Of your youth
and renewing your memory with him Of
what took place IN your boyhood or youth
fol days. That pleasure | have enjoyed
here 10 n great oxicnt, and ~ long ~ ]
may live, bo u many yeau OF few, | shall
never forget the pleasant meetings ! have
had In Wheeling upon this occasion.
| fChccrs and applause voice. "llufrah
Tor Thurman. And now, my friends let
as get n little nearer 10 what " considering
the matter In hand. / anu not going
/ to speak 10 you NJ any length upon that
great subject OF the tariff. ! viii be fol-
lowed by your Governor and leave II 10
| him 10 discuss II az Whatever length ho
may zee iit. nave only TO correct few
Of the gross errors Of our political oppo-
nonis They tell YOU that the Mills bill,
the bill passed 10y the Democratic House
Of Representatives, Is FREQ trade bill
Why. think OF Il for n moment A bill
that proposes an average Of ~ per cont
tani on all the imp0rations into this
country that are 20 pay no taxes at all. A
hill that proposes a tarid tax moro
than twice as heavy, or at least twice no
heavy ~ ever was proposed or oradyocatcd BY