New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-05
THE LEAGUE IN THE SOUTH.
OPENING OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
AT NASHVILLE.
AusPIcrous BEGINNING OF AN NEW MOVEMENT
THE DELEGATHs WE'LL RECEIVED BY
THE PEOPLE-A LARGE ATTENDANCE
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TkBCSB.l


Nashville, March 4-The great invasion Of the
South in the interests of progress and prosperity
was begun here to-day, under the direction of the
Republican National League and if there is any
truth in the ancient saying about the value Of
good start, then the Southern States in fair
way 20 become Republican, FOR certainly no po-
htical movement was ever started more auspicl-
ousy. This is the sentiment of all who attended
the convention This is the prevailing opinion
here tonight even among those who are bound
TO oppose the march through Dixie of the ever
conquering Republican columns. The most en-
! thusiastic expectations regarding the meeting
have been realized and there is not League man
in the city who does not feel proud of the young
| but mighty organization that has carried out so
successfully the ideal Of a convention right.
almost. in the heart of the once Solid South. in
the very State in which Grant won his first
| laurels, where Sheridan charged. where Sherman
fought and where Thomas crushed the shattered
forces of the gallant Hood.
II is needless to say that this convention, the
third annual meeting Of the League, was looked
forward TO with certain feeling Of uncasincss
by many sagacious party leaders. They fore
saw that through little carclessnes or inds-
| crcton on the part of the managers speakers
| the aim of the whole undertaking might he
| fhwartcd and more harm than good conc to the
party in consequence. But far tO-day's
proceedings indicate and prove anything these
fears have been entirely groundlcss. From begin
ming TO end. from the opening address by Nr.
| Watson. chairman Of the Committee Of Arrange
mcnts 70 the closing address of the last speaker
al the mass meeting tonight. there nothing
said or done to cause regret the part of any
sensible Republican, Every man who took
active part in the exercises seemed TO feel the
responsibilities Of the OCCASION The speeches
were thoroughly Republican. There was no att
tempt, because the meeting was held south Of
Mason and DiNons line, 10 mistake or modify
a single principle that the party upholds. Every
| Republican doctrine discussed presented in all
It's fulncss and strength. The talk on the tariff
was all on the lines of protection and the demand
for equal political rights for all was ,gorously
presented. yet. al the same time. no speaker for
got, even in the tempest Of his passion. that the
war over and that he among loyal and
patriotic citizens Of the Union.
The reception Of the visitors by the citizens Of
Nashville was Of character 10 promote thu
| l,iudcst feelings all around. Not the slightest
evidence Of unfricndliness shown in any
quarter The enthusiasm Of the visitors at times
| must have tried the patience Of some of the
| rock-rihbcd Democrats for which Tennessee IS
! famous Buf tie citizens remembering that they
were in q scnsc. playing the part Of hosts. and
that Southern hospitality was on trial. never
| forgot themselves for a moment or showed the
1 slightest resentment at the warmest display OF
| Republican sentiment THE American. the lead
ing Democratic organ OF the city and State. laid
down the rule this morning for tie visitors :
entertainment by the people Of Nashville. ana IL
said IN an editorial on the subject We Will
extend 10 our guests the courteous but unosten-
tafious welcome which stranger, always receive
,+tfi any lY,tp pf rDD DI
10 come but simply bccausc the laws Of hospitality
rconln, IT, This direction was followed TO the
letter and SO far as known every visitor feels
rerfcc,ly satisfied ~ satisfied indeed that The
American is likely to find itself entirely mis-
taken in this cynical and melancholy reflection: ::
We no longer expect that We shall he respected
more or hated less for any manifestation Of kindly
feeling on our own part II would be hard,
indeed 10 find a Lc,-lr man who does not hold
the people of Nashville IN higher esteem tonight
than ever before.
In polnf of attendance the convention was away
beyond what had been generally expected. O"Mg
to the fact that number Of delegates have been
DELAYED ON thr way here, and will not arrive
till late tonight. it is impossible TO give the
exact number present. but Secretary Humphrey
saws there are over 600 delegates, representing
al the States and Territories except hVc or SIN
Tho number Of representatives from the Southern
States WAS a SURPRISE 10 President Ihurston Louis
iaua and South Carolina sent full dclegatlohs
that is. a man from each Congressional district
and all The other States except Florida had some
one 10 speak for them. JnquestionablN the lead-
rrs' efforts in the South have not been IN vain
Illinois had the largest delegation, when iresl-
dent Tracy felt duly proud Of Pennsylvania
was next in size President Stuart bringing no less
than thirty men with him. President McAlpln,
of the New-York League, was kept away oy sl.h-
ness but Mr. Mcnamara. VINO had charge Oh inc
DELEGATION. presented twcnty-four representatives
iron, the Empire State. The Ohio crowd was next
in size but, usual. made iiscH as Conspicuous
as any dele .aton in the building
Amusement Hail. the place of meeting, is one
Of the largest halls in the city II VIII hoid
about 100 people. IL WaS niru sh WY" Tlo %ou
had n. en- decorated with flags. bunting ferns ana
banners in a striking and tasteful manner ne
stare was half-iillcd with ladies' "ooI music ilau
been provided and everything. lncIudlps tne
snccchcs was spirited President CrarNh, oi the
Fisk University. offered prayer: ihcn :" D. WaC
snn Of the local committee, who has worked IKE
a hero to make the meeting success. 'ook cna,sc
and after n few well-chosen words, introduced IN
tnrn three of the best Republican orators in Ten
nessec 10 the visitors. &. ~ lillman, VINO Is
,olEcd If ms the Republican candidate for Gov
crnor of the State, made ringing speech th3o
drw forth thunders o. applause lie was i0
lowed by William Ruie Edit1r "i me rsr
| in the late Confederate States g. W. Winstead
a rising young Republican leader OF West len
nessec smoke next, and then President Ihurston
responded in behalf of the League The judge Is
known Eastsa West as one OF the most ehcc'lve
orators m the country. and his ehori to-day an an
stract Of which will be found elsewhere is consd
cred one Of his best His eloquent uttcrances were
chccrcd till the roof rang General Nathan % G9n WiI
who was present as delegate from West VIZ
in;a vas called out but at his re luest he was
eNcmsed from speaking until the ssmeeting TO-
nieht AZ which Judge 1hurston John J.. WeD-
stcr Of Nebraska, Edwin ). Stuart, of Pcnnsyl-
yonia and other League leaders delivered ad-
dresses. - -, ,, a. -,- - .
After President Thurstons address the work {, or
orcaniznp the convention was begun Commit
tces on resolutions, crcdent ais, nominations.
Gnonce League work, the proposed Southern tour,
'.'',' 80. .ar n,nttcrs ,vcre annointed Thc,.