Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-07
GREAT DINNER,
At Which Kolb Put in an Appearance Unheralded-Hi Usual Speech
 Ably Answered.

LOTHIAN, July 6.-lSpecfal Corresponds ence. 1-Yesterda was glorious day for the grand old democratic party in Henry. The third party, or populist aggregation, are getting desperate. It has been gener- ally understood for some time that there would be grand union political pie nic at Richards Springs, just three miles east of here. The question for discussion
 was to be what is known as the Hundley amendment on education by Professor Fair cloth of the Dothan High school and Pro- lessor Lee of Columbia.
 Professor Faircloth made an excellent ad-
 dress, in which he showed the advantages
 that would follow from the passage Of this
 bill very conclusivey. He clearly demon
 strated that the people not only needed and demanded higher education than the pres ent system, but that it would be to their interest to advocate and support this meas uIe at the Iolls in August. He was fre- quently interrupted by loud continued ap- piause, and when he closed the audience nearly went wild with enthusiasm, which indicated that their views and his were identical.
 He was followed by Professor Lee, who
 made logical and forcible speech upon the same line.
 At the conclusion of these addresses the large audience, which numbered nearly 5000, repaired to sumptuous diuner,
  the surrounding country. About this time Capt. R. F. Kolb, Gen. Joe Harris, Senator Goodwyn's son and others made a very unexpected appearance. As this was to be non- political gathering, the demo- crats were somewhat surprised and had no
 prepared speakers on hand for the occa- sion. 1t plainly indicates the desperate straits Kolb and his gang are getting into, when they attempt to turn social gath ering into a third party speaking.
 thA 1n1t of al nta | pant populisls, the 'tGenial Reuben' be- | gan his address. When he arose there was | no cheering or demonstration of enthusi- | asm by any one. He started of by telling | how he had been abused by the partisan | democratic press; how he had been swim | dIed out of the governor's office after being | elected by 45, GOO white majority. He at | tackled the Sayre election law, but offered nothing better iu it's stead. He abused and | vilihed nearly every state official, and ap- | pealed to the passion and pref udice or the 1 ignorant and uneducated for support. His | speech was the same old thing which he | has been relating over the state for the past two years, being composed chiefly of griev. ances, idle boasts and assertions without l any evidence to corroborate them. The | entire audience was sadly disappointed, 7, | aud kolb himself seemed hacked. Such speeches as the one'delivered here will al- ways lose votes before an intelligent crowd. Just as soon as the captain finished there
  a leading attorney of Dothan, who stepped upon the platform amid deafening ap-
 plause and clapp4g of hands: Colonel Espy made a very forcible democratic speech. He disseSted Koi5's political ca | reer from beginning to end. He showed the fallacy of the theories, principles and platforms as advocated by his following. He showed the extravagance of the boasts | and assertions that Kolb had been elected governor by 45, 900 or any other majority. kla Anxrftr oT.ra nf gregation that they had all to lose and no
 chance on earth to gain anything by fol- lowing Kolb further; that they had to choose between the two great national parties-either continue in the democratic or land in the republican party. He made
 an able and eloquent defense of the Sayre
 election law, showing that, if Kolb was really in favor of a free ballot and fair
 count, this law was the best that had yet
 been offered, and, until he (Kolb) could get up something better, he should at least
 remain quiet.
 The large crowd gave MT. Espg the
 closest attention, and at times pin could
 have been heard to fall had it been dropped.
 At the close .of his speech many former
 Kolb men rushed up to the stand and ex
 tended congratulations, stating that hence-
 forth and from now on they were through
 with Kolb and third partyism. MT. Espy
 made conservative talk, and did great deal of good for democracy.
 IT IooA hoio carIicu ilehry County oy little over 1900 majority. This year he will not get that many votes in the county. The people have realized that they have been led stray, that they have been fol- lowing false leader, but they arc now re- turning by the hundreds and thousands to
 the grand old ship that has spread her sails for. the last hundred years, passing safely over every storm, conqnerlng in every conflict and landing a victorious crew at last in the lands of safety. On the first Monday in August old Henry will redeem her far name and roll up at least 1000 majority for the oue-a armed nero of the wire grass William Oates.