The Russellville Democrat., 1892-08-18
THE TWO MACks.
A Rcd Letter Day for Pope Democracy.

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 Last Saturday afternoon at o'clock large audience composed
 of representatives of the three po- litical parties and few ladies heard
 the first joint debate of the present
 canvass at the courthouse between
 Hon. F. D. McCullock. democratic
 nominee for congress in the first dis
 trict and Rev. J. B. Mclaughlin, elector for the state-at-large on the
 republican ticket.
 MT. McCullock, the democratic speaker, who spoke first, reiterated the doctrines that are being pro- mulgated by democratic speakers and writers all over the country. He went back to the dark ages and proved by the light of history that the spirit of independence, human liberty and enlightenment which dawned with Magma Charter at Runnymede was the same spirit of democracy that is abroad in the land to-day. He traced the history of the tariff in this country from Hen " Clay to the present time and ad- duced indubitable proof from the records that the present system un- der the operations of the Mckinley bia was robbery pure and simple, and was running the agricultural interests of the country. He took up the force bill and denounced 1t in the severest terms and showed how it was calculated to overthrow free and fair elections in the south His exposure of the insidious in iquities of the measure was most complete and convincing. The speech throughout was one that pleased and instructed the people.
 Mir. Mclaughlin, the republican speaker, is possessed of abundant volubility and a good delivery. Oratoricallv he strikes from the shoulder and gives blow for blow, regardless of consequences. Many of his statesments were utterly reck less and devoid of foundation. For instance, in defense of his plea that the laying of tariff upon goods cheapened the article, he said he bought handkerchief in this town for 25 cents that was exactly like one purchased before the Mckinley law went into effect for 90 cents; and that he was told by the merchant that these goods and other kinds were cheaper now. He also stated that he called at a hardware store here and was told that cotton ties and bagging were cheaper under the new tariff law than uuder the old. An after the speaking was over disclosed the fact that he pur- chased cheap cotton handkerchief from MT. Jacobson for 10 cents and not word was said about the tar if or the price of goods under the new and old law. As neither one of our hardware merchants deal in cot ton ties his statement regarding that commodity was also misleading. These are but samples of his reckless assertions in defense of an iniquitous system of taxation, others were reckless.
 He denounced the new election law and amendment No. ?, scoring dem ocrats extravagantly for their re- sponsibility for such measures. He refused to discuss the force bill, al- though invited to do so. He paid a glowing tribute to the ''colored gen tlemenn and called Powell Clayton a patriot.
 In his rejoinder Mir. McCullock answered by referring to the recon struction period when the most in- famous election law ever devised was in force, by which the most high handed outrages ever heard of were perpretrated all over this state. His castigation of the old republican marauders was most scathing and met the approval of the audience in deafening applause.
 Closing, his entreaty to democrats who had strayed off after strange gods to come back and renew all legiance to democracy was most pa thetic and effective It was simply irresistible.
 This was the first opportunity our people have had to hear the silver tongued orator of Lee county, and though they expected a fine speech they were unprepared for the stream of burning words he poured out up on them. The cause of democracy was revived and built mp the visit Of this eloquent advocate to Pope county.