The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-31
KANSAS B00R
A Sensation at Fort Smith, Ark,
Congressman Kelly Abuses the
Hospitality of the Community.
An Outrageous Speech That is
Very Emphntically Resented.
Ho Splits Republican Venom in the
Face of Fraternity.
Decoration Exercises in Other Cities
A Disgraceful Affair in Chicago
President Harrison Takes
Part IL Brooklyn.

ST.. LOUIS, Mo-, May 3O.-A special to
the Republic from Fort Smith, Ark, says:
Today was Decoration Day. The ladies OF
Fort Smith, both wives and daughters OF
Federal and Confederates, were out in large
numbers, laden with flowers with which,
rs usual, to decorate the graves Of the he.
roic dead who lilo buried in our beautiful
National Cemetery, irrespective OF the side
on which they fought.
Hon. Thomas L. Barnes, n prominent
lawyer of this city, was orator OF the day.
He made patriotic speech, which was
listened to with pleasure and profit by
a large assomblage.
After he had finished speaking, the Hon.
Mr.. Kelly, OF Kansas, a stranger TO the
people here, was introduced, aud probably
no people assembled on such an occasion,
amid such surroundings and such irater.
nifty OF feeling, ever listened to such q
speech.
Among other things he said, in sub.
stance: 1.-THE State OF Arkansas is in dis
repute. Comrades Benjamin aud Clayton
were assassinated in this State because
they were loyal to the flag of their coun.
try. The eyes OF the entire country are
upon Arkansas"
lie said his State Legislature had passed
resolutions denouncing Arkansas and call
ing upon the national Government TO pro.
tect its people. even ii il had TO be put
under martial law, and then continued:
81 am Congressman, and, comrades. |
sssttl hat Id
ence and power can affect il, even II We
have 10 resort 10 martial law"
The Indignation end contempt Of our cit.
liens at the remarkable speech of Mr..
Kelly eliminated in n large but sponta.
neous meeting at the courthouse at 3
o'clock pm. IL was composed Of both
Republicans and Democrats, aud rcsolu-
tions were reported by committee com.
posed OF two Republicans and one Demo-
crat, two Of whom were Federal soldiers
and members Of the Grand Army OF the
Republic. J. L. Grady, a Republican and
cX.Federal soldier and u member OF the
Grand Army OF the Republic, was called
90 the chair, when the resolutions were
unanimously adopted:
Whereas. the Hon. Mr. Kelly OF Kan.
sas, mn entire stranger, has this day dis.
gpccd alike the Republican party and
insultcd our people by dcsecrating the
graves OF our national dead In bitter
partisan speech, dcnouncing the people Of
Arkansas rs a lawlcss people and incapa.
bic Of sclf.governmt mt, and threatening
them with his influence as member OF
Congress TO put the State under martial
law; and whereas Mr.. Kelly has a son liv.
ing In this city who is part owner Of the
Rcp1blican paper OF Fort Smith. and who
knows, unless he is non compos mentis,
that such charges and insnualions are
false, and that the laws OF Arkansas are as
rigidly enforced rs OF any State Of this
Union; therefore. be 1t
Resolved, That this meeting, composed
OF Democrats and Republicans, denouncc
that speech Of Mr.. Kelly as not only false,
but, upon such sacred occasion, in a
taste that could, Il is to be hoped, emanato
from no part Of the civilized world except
from State whose Legislature made such
n disgraccful show Of itself In the resolu.
ton Of which Mr.. Kelly boosted 20 largely
today.
Resolved, That we hereby tender the
Hon. Thomas II. Barnes, OF this city, a
well known Republican. our high nppre.
citation Of his patriotic address, In which
he distinguished himself in contras, with
that Of Mr.. Kelly.
THOMAS MARcuM,
~. T.. GRADY,
''TuoMAs Il. LATHAM,
COMMITTEE"