The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-16
STEVENS0N'S SPEECH.
SRvRNTY.FIvB HUNDRED PEOPLE
AT ASHEvILLE TO HEAR HIM,

Escorted to the Platform and Intro.
duced as the Distinguished Grand.
son OF North Carolina"-Denouncin
Csrpet-bss Rule and the Force Bill,
An Excellent Exposure OF the Ends
and Aims Of she Republican Party.
AsEEvILLE, N. c.. Sept. 15.-At least
$500 people assembled In the farmers
tobacco warehouse at noon to-day to hear
Hon. A. Z. Stevensons speech. He was
escorted from his hotel by distinguished
citizens Of North Carolina in carriages, and
large procession OF mounted men from
the country adjacent 20 Asheville, Gen,
Stevenson was introduced by Hon. C. T.
Raines rs "the distinguished grandson OF
North Carolina" and when he arose
70 speak there was loud ap-
plause continuing several minutes
Gen. Stevenson began by paying tribute to
North Carolina, saying that her history and
traditions were as dear to him as any one
present He then contrasted Mr.. Cleve-
lands administration with iIs successor
spoke Of the tariff. force bill, and reviewed
the era OF reconstruction In the southern
states,
Gen. Stevenson win leave Ashsville In a
special train this afternoon at $50 O'Clock
for Raleigh under direction of +. NJ. Sim
mons, chairman OF the state executive COM
mlttee, and J. 7. Carr Of Durham.
THE sPEECH IN FULL.
Mr.. Stevenson's speech was as follows.
FELLOW CITIzENs-It would be impossible to
oVerstate the Importance Of the pending polit-
ical contest, especially to the people of the
southern states. With them 1t Ia not merely
question as to who shall be elected President OF
the United States, or what shall be bis policy
on taxation and expenditures. The question is
or deeper import and more far-reachlnR In its
consequences, Shall they have peaca and pro-
lection to life and prosperity which results from
stable government OF the states by their own
people, or shall they be menaced by q repeti-
ton of the evils Of the reconstruction perlods
The present contest 10 between the Republican
and Democratic parties. Which shall II beH To
you the practical question is: VIII you have
your state governments remain in the hands of
your own peope, or will you have a return Of
carpet-bag dealing and misruleg
THE SAD LESSON OF THE PAST.
Have you SO soon forgotten the sad Lessons OF
the pasty address myself to the men whose
former Affiliations have been with the Demo
cratic party, but who incline now TO cast their
political fortunes with the third party. a party
absolutely without hope of success In tho pend
ing contest. Either Harrison or Cleveland will
be the next President, and it is equally certain
that either the Democratic or Republican party
will control the next congress. YoHr support
now OF the third party candidate or third party
is simply declaration upon your part that In
khla kfStth ctEukklo AQNOIVlnK oclI-EOFernmNnE.
1t may be the protection Of your property and
and OF your heRrthstone, You are content to
remain Idle Spectators Let the issue be plainly
Of the force bill, with its train of evils. cast
your Tote for the republican candidate, or, by |
standing with the third party, remain idle spec
tators OF the great struggle. II, upon the CON
trary, you prefer peace and happiness that
comes with good government your place is In
the ranks OF the Democratic party.
THE OVERTHROW OF CARPET.BAe DOMINATION.
1t is well to recall some of the evils from
which the southern people escaped by the over
throw OF carDetbag domination. Fully to re-
count the injustice, wrongs and outrsges suf-
states during the era Of carbet-bag misrule
would fill volume. As you we'll know
the Republican party had compiste con-
The best citizens Of the state were disfran-
ohised. They were utterly powerless 70 protect
themselves against thoss who. under the forms
of law, sought TO rob them. ALI the depart
Inents OF the state government were In the
hands Of those who prostituted legislation and
the courts OF justice to their own selfish pur-
poses. During this .saturnalia of misgoyern-
ment the plunderers OF the people were men
who. in many instances, held high place among
them from 1868 TO 1879. The state debt of Ala
bama was by republican legislature increased
from s. 0OO0 600 TO moro than S25, 600 900. large
part OF this Indebtedness was created by issuing
bonds to build railroads that we're never built
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY NDEBTEpEss ENORMOUS.
In addition to this municipal ndebtedness and
county indebtedness were enormous. BY an
earnest effort the state was redeemed by the
democrats Ia 1874, and the era of carpet-baS
misrule and Plunder came TO an end. What has
been the resultY Alabama, fourteen years later
under the government Of her own people, has
her enormous debt more than one-half.
and the taxable property in the state has in-
creased nearly Sl00, ,C00, 600, In North Carolina.
under the reconstruction policy, the Repub-
Ican party, carpet-baR rule was. in 1858, |
substituted for the government OF the state by |
It's own people. From the mountain to the sea |
the state was in the clutches Of the plunderers.
During the first session OF the legislature, both |
branches OF which had large republican ma
$25, ,550, 900 were authorized 20 be issued OF this
amount SI4000,O0 for the avowed
purpose Of building railroads, were actually is
sued and not mile OF railroad built. Is 1t
possible that the people OF North Carolina have
forgotten how this legislature robbed them OF
their school fupdsi
SACRED FUND.
For the education Of their children tho state
held S420, 900 of bonds of the Wilmington and |
Weldon and Wilmington and Manchester rail-
road companies This was a sacred fund and
should have been sacredly guarded by those in
power. Was it so guarded The republican
this legislation by It's authorities, sold these
bonds for S15S. 900, So the poor children OF
the state were robbed Of this school fund by |
men who were solemnly pledged to its protec-
|
devised by this legislature 10 plunder the peo-
pie. By the close OF the legislature the debt OF |
the state had been Increased until IL |
exceeded one-third Of the taxable property OF |
the state. You need hardly be reminded that
during this long night of horror, the admins
tration of justice was q mockery. The triumph
Of the Democratic party In 1876 wrested the
old north state from those who had robbed the
people of their heritage. During the eight
years Of oarpet-bag rule tho state of North
Carolina was openly and unblushinRly plum
dered Official corruption reached high water
mark, The state was literally prostrated and |
the robbers were those who sat In high places
Of powerin the legislative halls and in the courts
Of justice
NOTHING LEFT TO STEAL.
II was during this era that distinguished
declared that the treasury OF South |
Carolina had been literally gutted by the
thieves who had hitherto had possession Of the
state government that there was nothing left
10 steal "
Mr.. Stevenson then cited the wrongs in
dicted on Missouri from the close OF the war
to 1872, and continued
will not detain you by referring to Missis.
sipp louisiana and the other states of the |
south The history OF one is the history Of ell 1t
was to the people q dark night OF injustice,
wrong and outrage. In many Instances Hitter
nd 1