The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-18

Memphis is not unduly conceted over
the fact OF containing a vice-presidential
nominee, yet she am very proud.
Probably her gifted and honored son
may not enjoy the delightful sensation Of
contact with the soft velvety coverings OF
that dgnitary's chair for a few years, yet
he too am very proud of the distinction
thrust upon him.
The APPEAL takes great pleasure in in
Producing to the people of Memphis, Ten
nessee and the whole country, Judge
James M. Greer, first candidate for the
vice-pcsidency on the American ticket.
Wednesdays proceedings OF the Amer
lean party's convention at Washington
were interesting TO the citizens of Mem
phis, yet they knew IL not 1t is a ques-
ton whether more than dozen people
read the account, which covered some
thing over hall column IN The APPEAL
There was nothing in il 70 excite curiosity
and attention. But IL wasn't The AP-
PEAL's fault that the interesting feature
was omitted. 1t happened in this wise:
The APPEAL is a member OF the Asso-
ciated Press. II also has at Washington q
wide-awake, inquiring and intelligent
special correspondent, who seldom II ever
gets left. But all men must sleep at least
one hour In forty-eight, and this necessity
is TO blame for the failure. These news
agencies dozed over but toiled with
the American party until nomination for
tirst place on the ticket was made, then
fell upon their desks and soon began to
snore. Failing 10 perceive the succumba-
ton OF their faithful advertisers the new
idead convention selected Judge Greer for
the remaining place, blew out the lights,
silently left the room, quietly wended their
way to the railroad depots and took the
trains which carried thcm TO their respect
i've homes. When the reporters awoke,
rubbed their eyes and looked around
them the room was deserted by the dele
gates, all was still, and mono remained TO
tell the story. Indulgent reader, this is
the thusness OF The APPEAL's scoop" on
the debit column.
But such an event as the nomination OF
President, and the identity OF the
individual, cannot forever remain Leyond
the range OF human ken. Even Mr.. Love,
who stands side by side with Mrs. Belya
Lockwood In that capacity, is known, by
name, 10 few hundreds OF the moro
widely informed people beyond the limits
OF his home city. SO it has proved in the
case Of Judge Greer.
Mr.. Walker Kennedy and Mr.. @. L.
Pullen. OF the Sunday Tina, presumably
Judge Greer and possibly George q. Dent
constitute the American party In this
vicinity. They had no representation at
| Washington, unless IL was Mr.. Dent, as
| M IA
usual haunts every day the convention
was In session. Thursday evening there
was received by Mr.. Kennedy telegram,
the contents Of which were:
Judge Greer nominated for Vice-Presi-
dent by reclamation. Touch of your bon
fires and paint the town q gorgeous rod.
lsigned. Secretary"
Mr.. Kennedy has great influence with
his party at homo and abroad, was pretty
well assured that the surprise would como
10 his friend, the judge, but had forgotten
about the fire and paint elements. When
stirred up on this point by tho telegram
he cast about Tor the two remaining Amer
leans 10 take up collection. They were
nowhere 10 be found. Mr.. Kennedy
| didn't care 20 foot the bills himself, and
rather than take any risk, sent the tcle-
| gram 10 the nominee by boy. Nothing
moro was heard Of Il until a few hours
later, which can best be described by the
judge himself. To an ArPEAL reporter,
who approached him on tho subject yes
tcrday, he said
Eyes, am tho nominee, and Il was az
much surprise 20 me rs any one else,
| possibly more 30. was not there, knew
not that my name was before tho conyen.
ton and have no idea how IL came up.
When returned from professional trip
10 my office yesterday afternoon found a
telegram. Beiug very busy nj the time I
laid the telegram aside without reading IL.
Before had been there long two friends
came In aud began congrntulating me on
tho nomination. One OF them said,
Judge, when you become Nice-Prcsident
] shall expect you 10 appoint mo 10 q
| iudgcship.' asked them what they were
driving ~, and they referred me 20 the tcle.
gram. II was read congratulations accepted
and went down into my pocket. | con-
sidcred Il nothing more than a practical
Joke by Kennedy. That evening. while
riding with my wife, ! said: My dear,
do you know you are riding by the side 81
the next Nioe-Presidcnt Of the United
slatcsr OF course, she laughed at tho
suggestion, and 10 convince her | brought
out the telegram. She read II, and like
myself, considered Il a practical Joke. 1
thought II there was anything in IL, TuE
ArPKAL would confirm the report. II has
not, though l no longer consider Il q
Joke"
81 was not aware, judge, that you boz
longcd 10 the American party"
81 avn a Democrat, but believe in re-
stricted immigration and restricted natnr-
aliEation. To that extent perhaps may
DO classed as a sympathizer with that
party. OF course these nominations atn
In this instance mere empty honOrs. Tha
candidates do not expect 10 be elected.
neither DO their friends. Tho intention
is 10 got their principles before the country
for discussion. But 10 believe that thi,
discussion will give the party such nm inn
petus that four years hence Il will bold
TIE balance OF power, and In eight years
be 70 strong that a successful fight can lo
made
A biographical sketch OF Judge Greer "a
In order, and IL Is herewith appended.
Hc was born at Holly Springs. Miq..
where he lived until he was sixteen wear.
Of age, whom he caught the war fever apd
entered the Confederate army. lie served
throughout the war In the army OF north.
ern Virginia, and lao boasts the proud dis.
Junction OF having come out OF Il without
being colonel. lie retired 10 the farm
after the war; working in the fields by
day, aud studying law NJ night lie came
TO Memphis ia 1872. and won his
way steadily 20 prominent posi-.
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