Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-14
A APOWERFULSPE
HON. HOLMES CONRAD ADDRESSES
THE DEMOCRATS or RICHMOND.
A Fine Gathering at Oid-srarket bali
Last Night-Exhaustive Dfscussion
of the Campaign Issues.

Several hundred earnest Democrats attended,
the meeting at old-Ma Hall last night anu
listened with rapt attention 10 tho Stirring CIV
quence Of Hon. Holmes Conrad, who delivered
magnificent address upon the issues OF the pres
ent campaign.
The large room was crowded with people, put
In the huge assembly, which embraced many Oh
the most prominent persons OF the city, there
was not the slightest disorder or misbchavior OF
any kind. From the moment the speaker com
menced bis remarks until he concluded nus az
dress there was scarcely sound Irom nis ~
tors, save when some spontaneous ontpuIst oi
applause occurred. for they we're proiounoIy ,n
terested and all attentive. At times, when ,no
distinguished Democrat paused Tor inoinon''
one could almost have heard pm ihiL
THE SCOUTS WERE THERE.
The Cleveland scouts, In their zouave uni-
forms and accompanied by band OF music, az.
tended tue gathering. They were under the
command OF Captain f. ID. Barnett
The rostrum from which Major Conraa "a,
dressed his audience was prettily decorhtei III
the national colors, and many weil-knoWh ponu-
clans occupied seats uponif. Among these were
Mr.. =. 4. r. Petteson, chairman OF the .ny
Democratic Committee, who prcsldc1 over tne
meeting; Mayor Ellyson, Colonel John b. Cary,
Captain Alexander Coke, Captain george wayne
Anderson, Judge Hunter II. MARSHALL Wiinam
II. Cullingworth. j. Taylor Stratton, %. N, ms "a
con chairman Of the Manchester Domocts,O
Committee), Cunningham Hall, Or. Edward NC
CURE, and Dr. George Foy. OF Ireland, VINO s
the guest OF DIR. Hunter McGuire. D.,
The speaker was intgoduced By MI. ,',, 3. =, =,
Of the orator and his popularity before Nlrginls
audiences. Just before slr. Conrad commencea
his remarks the Cleveland Scouts ana other en-.
thusiasts raised a cry OF appiause which assurou
him OF his welcome before his hearers
THE REPUBLICAN YOKE MUST BE THROWN ASIDE.
The speaker began by saying that Chauncey
Depew had recently stated that this canvass was
characterized by an unusual apathy, which indi.
Gated q marked l1ck ot interest IN the result oi
the coming election. such was not the case.
The outward signs showed but little denonstra-
tiysness, bat Notwithstanding this there was a
deep current of feeling. Tho people ha1
awakened 10 the Importance OF shaAlnE on tho
Republican yoke. Even in the ranks OF the
enemy there had beon many desertions, ana no"
as never before have the public been awakened
70 q realization OF the fact that unless they put
aside party leaders and come out In their own
strength the work Of their forefathers will be IN
vain and every institution viii perish, ana lnis
government be among the governments Of the
past. -, =,
The Third party. which was asserting Itself in
this and other states, was simply a wing OF the
Republicans In disRCise
Inc speaker IN bis vigorous language then
pointed out the work OF Harrisons Homihlsr.-
tlOn-its extrsvagance, its recklessness, and us
evil ways. When Cleveland turned over the keya
Of the White House 70 the present Executive
there we're sl00,000.000 In the public Irea-
l.
Where Is il now? Gouel Expended IN addition
TO all the other cItravagances to which the poo
ole have been subjected during tho past three-
and-one-haf years under the domination OF the
Republican party's hold upon power. Gone
And, what is more, tho United states is oapk-
rupt to-day. From o1icial and authentic source:
We learn that the government has repudlateu
Its Obligations.
MILLIONS WASTED IN PENSIONS.
The people were crying for reform In tarin
I hr.ft aUnthCr m QtfaF which needed Stiil
moro attention-the question OF pensions. WIZ
1ngly the southern people had paid their money
| 10 ala the Federal Veterans. but they had re-
ceiyed no thanks Nothing has ever been done
| for our old soldiers but even this has been suo'
! mitted 10. When the Confederate Veterans as
sembled from various parts Of the country 10 90
/ honor TO Lee or jackson they cheerinlly palu
| their own expenses, but when the q. A. X. men
met at Washington Just on the eve OF an cleo
| tion Congress appropriated SoO,OOU Tor tneli
! entertainment and pleasure. Half of the reVe'
| uues OF the government are now being e1penu-
| ed in pensions. Two hundred and eghty-One
millions Of dollars are paid out for this purpose
] from our Treasury, and as its equivalent We re-
| ceive nothing.
The speaker read extracts from two OF HAITI.
| sons messages in 1850, in which the President
urged Congress- to take steps TO suppress alleged
| election frauds in tho South. The Language and
the suggestions embodied in the document
! plainly showed that Little Beniy IL nrst ana
! foremost as an advocate OF tue force Dill
| 10 is the corner-etOne OF Republican policy
| To-day the right of the exercise Of suffrage
| hangs upon tho issue OF the canvass
| IL the sceptre Of governmental power II
! again conndef 10 tha; party, the verJ
nrst act of the administration will be the enact
| ment OF that bill into in~4tFePs4aisels Jaw
/ When that time arrives what becomes OF tnt
rights Of frsemen? When measures are oD
| noxious 10 the public they have but two ways tC
| pre- vent them-by their ballots or by recourse Il
arms. The former pferogative In case oil ke
publican success would be lodged In the hands o.
| one man TO adjudicate our votes.
| Major Conrads speech wns one OF the mos,
| powerful which has been delivered in Richmond
| Tor months. II was free from yerb0sity, clear
| plain. and forcble, yet Interesting from Dc
! ginning TO end. The most ignorant man coulc
| bave understood every argument aud YET the
/ most scholarly could not have Jailed TO appre
| cafa IL.