West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-25
PUBLIC SPEAKING.



AS the Inauguration of the Demo
cratic campaign. in this section OF
the State, the Hon. w. L. Wilson, as
was announced, came upfrom Wash
ington, D. c., accompanied by the
following distinguished gentlemen
who had consented to address our Cit
liens on the momentous political
questions that are now aeitating the
whole country: Gen. Wade Hamp-
ton, Senator from S. c.; Senator
Kenna, of this State, and Hons. ).
E. Russell, of Mass, NJ. H. Ford, of
Mich, j. NJ. Allen of Miss.
They we're met at the station on
their arrival, by the reception COM
mittee of the Charlestown Democrat
ic Club and the Cornet Band, and
escorted to the home of Hon. W. l..
Wilson, where q handsome luncheon
was served.
By 2 o'clock p. NJ, the appointed
hour, the Court house was literally
filled to overlooking. On the en-
trance of the distinguished speak
ers, they were greeted with loud and
prolonged applause, which continued
till the meeting was called to order
by DR.. j. V. Simmons, the President
Of the C. d. Club. On motion Mr..
B. d. Gibson was chosen chairman.
Mr.. Gibson after making short
address of welcome, introduced
each of the speakers in his turn.
Senator Hampton was first intro
duced, and was applauded to the
echo, his many old comrades in
arms swelling with their yells the
great enthusiasm his presence arous-
ed. He began by very touching
allusion to the affection he felt for
the many old veterans whose bright
eyes he saw before him. He spoke
in the highest terms OF President
Cleveland's administration, and that
there would be no failure on the part
of the South to roll up solid vote
for Cleveland in this campaign. He
pictured the many blessings the sue
cess of the Democratic party had be-
gun to yield to every section OF the
Union, and he thought man could
not even imagine the overwhelming
misfortunes that would befall this
country, if in a foolish moment the
people should this year turn down
their greatest leader, Grover Cleve-
land.
On behalf of the ladies of Char
lestown the Hon. w. L. Wilson pre-.
scented to Gen. Hampton, at the con-
clusion of his speech a large and love-
ly bouquet Of choice flowers, which
the General accepted with the tender
est sentiments.
The Hon. j. E. Russell, the young
farmer statesman of Mass, delivered
a chaste and remarkably eloquent
speech, in every way worthy of the
Commonwealth of the "old man elo-
quent." He discussed in elaborate
arguments the agricultural interests,
protection, and tariff reform, and
devoted especial attention and ex-
PLANTATION to wooden industries and
wool growers, in their relation to the
tariff reform measures he asked all
to support. He favored the passage
of the Mills bill, the reduction of
the surplus, and the increased power
of the people in managing govern
ment.
The next orator was the Hon. M.
III. Ford, of Mich, the brilliant young
representative from the great and
growing Democratic centre Of the
Northwest. He was particularly
clear and forceful, and in eloquent
periods tore the mask from the Re-
publican party and showed how by
it's complications with capital, trusts,
corporations and monopolies, it had
drifted from the people, and how it
now strove to keep up its prestige
by shams and cheats. Michigan
would soon be a Democratic State
if the Mills bill passed. He has a
store of happy jokes and humorous
arguments, illustrating the fallacies
and sophistries of the Republicans.
At 6 o'clock an intermission Of
two hours was taken. The visiting
statesmen and few others were en-
tertained at the residence Of Col. X.
P. Chew, where sumptuous dinner
was partaken of.
On reassembling at night, the
speaking was continued.
Hon. j. M. Allen, of Miss, was
introduced, and with the warm heart
of typical son of the South, he ar
raigned the Republican party as the
originator and fosterer of the great
evils now affecting the people, wage
earners and farmers particularly.
He told apt and amusing anecdotes.
showing the deeds and tendencies of
the Republicans, and strongly urged
tariff reform and abolition Of war
taxes, as the only way to save the
Union for the people. Like the 9th
ers, he praised Cleveland, and be-
sought all to follow his policy
and the Mills bill.
Our own Senator, j. E. Kenna,
long conspicuous in the councils Of
the Democratic party, followed Mr..
Allen. He made strong admins
tration speech; told of the grand
nr;no;nloc that aptuafad the Presi-