The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-17
AN 0LD-TIME DEMOCRAT.
Ex-CONGREsSMAN ARMSTRONG, OF
MISSOURI, IN THE CITY.
He Drops into Casey Young's Old once,
Talks Politics and Compliments Mem
phis-He is for Cleveland and Pal
mer Ticket.

Strollng down Second street on his
usual round in search Of items, an APPEAL
reporter dropped in the office of Col. Nc
Brooks for quiet chat, While discuss.
ing various topics with the colonel, a
stranger of rather portly mien stepped in
and asked to DO directed TO the Office OF
Casey Young. ''This is the office, sir, but
Mr.. Young Is in Washington. Won't
you sit DOWN." and with humorous
smile the colonel said: "You are now on
holy ground. This is the famous Irving
block, used by the Fcderals as prison
during the late war, and in this room in
more recent years Casey Young's abode. F"
"Well, replied the stranger, 81 like
you--like your talk, and will sit down for
few moments II you will allow me TO re-
tain my shoes while treading such sacred
ground. | had some experience with
prison life during the wal"
Presenting card which introduced the
gentleman as ID. II. Armstrong, he said
81 am from st. Louis, making Il trip to
New Orleans to thaw out, eat
oysters, enjoy the flowers and
have good time all round.
have lived ON the Mississippi for forty two
years, but this is my first trip down the
river. | am pleased with your city.
There is an air II business, pluck and en-
terprise about your streets. Ii is plain
that Memphis is making rapid strides TO
greatness. Away back in "A, Z" continued
the visitor, with merry twinkle in his
blue-gmy eye, calhoun, standing on the
bluff overlooking the river said, This il
destined. to be the great inland metropolis
of the southwest n prophet wasn't he?"
The conversation turning TO political
issues, Mr.. Armstrong said: II am u
Cleveland man, tooth and toe nail. was
not for him in 'si, was for Thurman, but
since his tariff message am for him strong.
He is the right sort OF man, has the true
mertle in him. DO you know, that that is
the first message | have read through,
word for word, In forty years, and have
spent a great deal OF my life in politics,
too-am no spring chicken, either, YOU
will observe. That message insurcs the
denomination and election OF Mr. Cleye.
/. land. Nothing but death or the assassins
knife can defeat him"
The fire that flashed from the old gen
tlcmans eye told plainly that the Presi-
dent would have no warmer champion in
time oi need.
"Who, asked the reporter, sis most
prominent among the probable candidates
for the yice-presidcney on the Cleveland
tickct?'
"Wcll, you know, many Of the leading
Democrats have been spoken OF 10y the dit.
ierent papers throughout .the country.
Morrison, Mcdonald, Stephenson, Gov.
Palmer and others. Gov. Palmer il my
choice. lie IN n simon pure Democrat OF
the Douglas stripe. has clean ne
cord, was n war Democrat and Is, think,
an available man in every respect. | am
for these war Democrats. Mcdonald Is
grand man. would do anything Tor him,
but most OF the proposed candidates arr
leaders OF factions, and the Democratic
party can't afford 20 hunt up faction
leaders for place on the ticket. am for
Palmer. We want q western man ON the
ticket. What we want Is To carry the
great northwest in tho coming fight. We
want Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Min
ncsota and the States Of the Pacific slope,
then We are all right. Mr. Clcyeland's
message will necessarily dictate the party
platform as 10 the tariff plank, and that Is
the issue. With such platform We can
carry the northwest and the Pacific slope.
Let Pennsylvania 90 TO the ID. We
can't carry her anyway. We conccde too
much to the las"
''llow about the coming convention at
-. Louis2"
"That will be grand affair We aniic-
ipaie great time. Everything IL. being
put in readiness fordhc reception and com
tort Of the delegates and their friends.
Wen have accommodations for all. The
building formerly erected for the Exposi.
ton is being remodoled and roiitted
throughout. II " much larger than the
building used for the convention OF '76.
But must leave you or | will get leit ,.as
my boat, the City Of ~. louk, only stays
n short time. am an old friend Of Casey
Ioungs, and was with him In the Forty
ii,h Congress, and Just looked In TO see
him moment. Come 20 81. Louis. We
will treat you the best We know how"
aud, with q cordial invitation from TIIE
A'rE,L man 10 stop over on his return
trip and see more Of Memphis, he bowed
himself out.
Mr. Armstrong Is a pleasant ialkcr, and
inicrspcrsed his conversation with Jokes
aud anecdotes Of former colleagues. His
hair and beard bear the impress Of the
frlsty kiss Of many winters, but his elastic
slcp. the ruddy glow. OF bis face, aud the
merry twinkle, or lightning iash Of his
Keen, blue eye, tell pleasantly that age can
not chill the Douglas blood.