The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1892-09-03
THU FIRST GUN
or the Campaign in Nor
gantoWn
WAS A MOST coMpLETEfIzzLE,

The Grand Rally Loses its Grandeur
and the RalIying Cry is Drowned in
Booze Gen. George r. Latham Tries
to Speak, but makes Piece Of statu-
aryiof Himself, Only Murmuring ssTaw
See Dace.''
''But, o what difference in the morn
ing,
Then comes repentance with warning"
Shakespeare never made use of the
above, but another expositor of sub
lime AngloSaxon did very probably
revolve such proposition in the
whirling gray matter of his Uranium
last Tuesday morning. and his name
is Gen. George r. Latham, who did
not speak at Academy Hall the eve
ming previous, for the veteran was
suffering terrible pain from gun
shot wound received in the army
such was the far-fetched explanation
afterward, but it wouldn't go.
But to be definite requires be
ginning. Highly faring posters lent
an artistic effect To every place in
town that one could be put, announ-
cling in fulsome phrases that Gen.
George r. Latham would fire the first
gun of the campaign on Monday eve
ing, the pyrotechnic TO take place at
Academy Hall. AS is well known
Gen. Latham is not Democrat; mel
ther does he lean, even at the most
critical moments of the sbracing"
process, ON the Farmers Alliance,
and the Prohibitionists are not to be
mentioned in this connection other
than to remark en- PEASANT that there
is mission for them among former
ministers to Australia. Ii you try
right hard now you can guess the
generals politics.
Monday evening came and for the
usual consideration, for it is a mer-
cenary organization, the brass band
played "Um Tab, Um Tah'' March
ing Through Georgia and other tear
fetching selections and Morgan
towns g. o. p. and the small boy with
tin horn marched to the Hall
Democrats we're not ordered away,
as some were led to suppose, and the
NEW DOMINION, on search for en-
lightenment was there. The crowd
was of hilarity hilarious and of noise
noisy, until herald in the shape Of
a downy-lipped committeeman an
nounced that the gun was coming
the first gun of the campaign, big
gun, and withal well loaded gun.
The gun, or to be more specific,
Gen. Latham, came in on the arm of
Barton M. Jones. Cheer upon cheer
rent the air and the veteran smiled.
1t was good thing he did, for, dur
ing that evening at least, he never
smiled again. Barton's tranquility
and serenity were in accord with his
esoteric soul filled with hope of vic
tory, as he introduced the veteran in
a voice that did not quaver. He told
what magnificent address might be
expected (and the New DOMINION
was SO extremely happy in anticipa-
tion) but there is now divided opin-
ion of Barton's idea of magnifcence.
Gen. Latham is man who has
probably reached that ripe fullness
of time known as three score years
and ten, and during his address a
much chagrinned Rad asked the New
DOMINION if it would not be shame
not to have some consideration for
that profusion of hoary locks and
beard, and the answer was yes"
The general arose, and he confronted
that audience. He seemed affected
by the scene, for he said not word
till the hands of the big clock had
registered five minutes of his stand
ing there. Nobody dropped a pin,
but it was an excellent opportunity
for the experiment Out of this CON
fusion of silence came the word
"Genlum'' from the speaker. (More
silence. Il know Taw See Dace
fun boy" (Sundry weavings, not
oratorical, on the part of the speak
err which did not show that he had
recently graduated from Kelley
Institute)
The situation now became so
painful that Hagans, Grant, Morgan,
Hall and others escaped by the rear
and watched proceedings from afar.
Cox, Lazzell, Baker, Smith and
few others stayed Uncle John and
Aaron stayed in the hall and gave
genuine Virginia giggies, species
Of hospitality highly displeasing to
the orator. and seeming to set his
resolution to speak or die, a heroic
sentiment, but hard to contend with
when Bacchus fights on the other
side.
From this on not a man under
stood word that was said, and no
body wanted to. The same feelings
animated that audience as if there
was counter attraction outside and
the disaffection of those present was
apparent. At this stage ofthe game
Barton expostulated with the orator,
and told him his wound was hurting
MIN TOO much to proceed. The
orator said he didn't mind the pain
he wanted to talk. Bart replied,
laconically. go ahead then" But
the orator was overcome. Empty
benches gave strict attention, but
the voice failed. Barton could stand
it no longer and put it's hat on it
and it was led to its room. Gen.
Lathom shook Morgantown dust
from his feet at o'clock next day.
The discussion Of the affair down
town extended far into the night,
and history records a most malig-
nant case of chagrin on the part of
Morgantown Republicans In little
groups on the street they tried to
comfort one another. Truly it was
awful-it was awfully awful
In the annals Of political meetings