The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-08-08
THE ANNUAL DINNER AT ROCK
RIDGE.
Hon. Marion Butler Speaks to an Audi
ence of 1000 or More.


Mr.. EDITOR Last Thursday morn
ing, July 90, a pleasant ride brought us
to the aforementioned place to again
witness the hospitality of the good pto-
pie around Rock Ridge, it being the
day set apart for their annual dinner.
The writer reached the scene about 8
O'clock a. m. and found quite a crowd
already on the grounds. The rumbling
sound of wagons and the hum of buggy
and carriage wheels constantly re-
minded one of the rapidly-increasing
crowd. About 9 o'clock Hon. Marion
Butler, speaker of the day, arrived a
companied by Mr.. Larry Tomlinson,
one of Wilson county's most highly
" respected citizens. Instantly word
passed through the crowd, miss
Marvann is here" and all seemed jubl-
liant over the assurance of a rare treat
from the lips of one of North Cardinals
most gifted sons. By half past ten 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.. H. F. Freeman, in a few well
chosen words, introduced Hon. Marion
Butler, Vice-President of the n. +. A.
and I. U. and President of the N. @.
F. S. A, as speaker of the day, AS
the speaker rose, singns Of apprecla
ton and eager expectation were mani
fest throughout the audience. For over
two hours the speaker held his hearers
spellbound by his logical reasoning and
matchless oratory. Undenlable rock
bottom facts, great chunks of logic
and incontrovertable arguments were
handed out in such a mastery way as
to surpass the expectation Of those who
knew him best. Frequent cheering
throughout his entire speech told in
unmistakable language how they ap
preciated his heroic efforts. We would
be glad to give his entire speech, but
cannot. He spoke of the Alliance, it's
past, present and future mission, with
out bias to any political party Yet
some may say it was a regular Third
party" speech-sOme of those 2X4 poll
ticians or tools of Wall street whose
minds are 81 dwarfed by prejudice
that they are unable to Judge of an
argument.
After the speaking, dinner was
served in such a manner as to reflect
great credit on the people of that COM
munity. and showed that they knew
how to provide for the timer man" as
we'll as the intellectual. The evening
was spent in social enjoyment, the
older people c~Onversing with their
friends of ye olden times, and the boys
each gayly chatting his best girl; or,
perhaps in some instances, some other
fellows best girl
The crowd was v~ariouslY estimated
at from $3.50 to $500. Those who took
most pains to enumerate the crowd,
say there were at least 1000 people
present. At any rate it was conceded
to be Rock Ridges big day. From
morn till I've it was a day of real en-
joyment. Not a drunken man was
seen, not a single cross word was heard;
in short, there was nothing to mar the
pleasure of those present. Long live
the good people of Rock Ridge. Long
live the champion of the peoples rights,
for we believe the mantle Of the la
mented Polk has fallen on him. Tell
our friends of the West that we are
neither dead nor dying. Let the watch
word pass along the line, the spirit of
liberty and patriotism still Hives.
N. NJ.