The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-08-03
THE ANNUAL DINNER AT ROCK RIDGE
Hon. Marion Butler Speaks to an Audi
ence of 200 or More.

Hon. Marion Butler Speaks to an Audi
ence of 1000 or More.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Last Thursd "
morning, July 20, a pleasant ride
brought Us to the above mentioned
place to again witness the hospital
ity of the good people around Rock
Ridge-it being the day set apart
for their annual dinner. The writer
reached the scene about S O'Clock a.
m. and found quite a crowd already
on the grounds. The rumbllng
sound of wagons and the hum of
buggy and carriage wheels constant
ly reminded one of the rapidly ill.,
creasing crowd. About 8 o'clock
Hon. Marion Butler, speaker of the
day, arrived accompanied by Mr..
Harry Tomlinson, one OF Wilson
county's most highly respected citi-
zens. Instantly word passed through
the crowd. Miss Maryann is here"
and all seemed jubilant over the as
surance of a rare treat from the
lips Of North Cardinals most gifted
sons.
By half past ten o'clock the seats
buggies and standing room around
the speakers stand was filled by an
almost impatient crowd anxious to
hear the champion Of the peoples
cause.
DR.. II. r. Freeman, III IA few well
chosen words, introduced Hon. Ma
rion Butler, ice-President of n. f
4. & |. L. and President of \. c. +.
S. A. as speaker of the day.
As the speaker rose signs of ap-
probation and eager expectation
were manifest throughout the au-
dience. For over two hours he held
his hearers spell-bound by his logi-
cal reasoning and matches oratory.
Rock bottom facts, great chunks of
logic and incontrovertable arguments
were handed ont in such a mastery
way as to surpass the expectation OF
those who knew him best. Frequent
cheering throughout the entire
speech told III unmistakable lam
guage how the audience appreciated
| his heroic efforts. We would be
glad to give his entire speech but
cannot. He spoke of the Alliance
its past, present and future mission
without bias to any political party
Yet some may say it was regular
| Third party speech-some of tn J
/ politicians or tools of Wal
Street whose minds are so dwarfec
by prejudice that they are unable tt
Judge of an argument.
After speaking dinner was served
| in such a manner as to reflect grea
credit Oh the people of that com
munitv, and showed that they knew
how to provide for the elmer man
as well as the intellectual.
The crowd was variously estimated
t from 1850 to $500. Those VIII
: took most pains to enumerate tn
crowd say there were at least 200
people present. At any rate 1t wa
conceded to be Rock Ridges hi
dav. At this annual meeting Their
S have been distinguished speeches
: Col. L. l.. Polk, Hon. G. ". San
derlin and Judge Conner, but TIL
is the largest crowd that the plac
has ever seen. From morn to eve
t was day of real enjoyment-not
$ drunken man was seen, not eros
word was heard, in short, there wa
nothing to mar the pleasure of thoS
It present.
Long live the good people of Roc
Ridge. Long live the champion {
lie the peoples rights, for we believe tn
i mantle of the lamented Polk hs
~ fallen on him. Tell our friends
; the west that we are neither dea
: nor dying. Let the watchword pa
IS along the line, The spirit of hbert
still lives. N.