The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-28
COXEY'S EARNESTNESS
A Quiet Interview with the Com
monweal Army Leader.
HIS POWER WITH AN AUDIENCE.

he Leaves Trail of New Thought in
she Minds of Many which May Event
uaily Bring Them Under Hts Banner.
The Other ind dustriaI Armies.
GAITHERsBURG, Md, April 2s. - The
Journey of the Coxey army yesterday,
though over good roads, was nude more
than usually weary because of the success
slon of high hills and deep valleys over
which the roadway lay. A halt was made
for ten minutes rest at ClarkSburg. where
pne Of the villagers approached Coxey's
phaeton.
"Are you General Coxey?' asked the
Marylander
.My name is Coxey," responded the
leader.
"Well, amt you going to make us a lit
tie speech herefn drawled the Clarks-
burger.
"Why, certainly" said the leader, and
Straightway he stood on the seat of his
phaeton, and when the people had gath
cred near he declared his beliefs and pur-
poses in talk of ten minutes 70 watch
the effect on his hearers was exceedingly
interesting. On well nigh every face
when Coxey began was an expression of
purlous interest.
Whatever Mr., Coxay Is or Is not, his
mnnner of speech is effective. There can
be no doubt of the mans earnestncss. Ho
believes what he says, and he says what
he thinks with the eye and uttefnnce of
candor. His audience listened. Then the
expression of curious interest died away
and in its place came the look men have
when observing what they sec. The toll
erantly skeptical become interested, with
no attempt to conceal the fact. The man
had impressed them as worthy of their at
tention. The result was careful hearing,
and as CoSey finished there were many
sage holdings of heads and many nudg-
ings of approval. The net result is that
Coxey leaves a trail of new thought in the
minds of many, who will recall and possi-
oily pursue 1t later as Coxey partisans.
Later in the day the correspondent, In
conversation with Coxey, referred to the
fact that vast number who looked upon
bis enterprise from long range, believed
him to be not only a crank, but that he Is
literally not sane man.
"Why should an earnest man with
strong convictions be regarded as not
sanea" inquired the Commonweal chief
'.Is It an evidence of insanity that man
works vigorously and spends money freely
along the lines of his oonvictionsf" he
added.
"People find it difficult to believe that Il
thoroughly balanced man has enough OF
Christ In his heart to spend not only his
time and his money in the way you are
doing with an unseliish singleness of pur
pose" was suggested, 'and the people or
this account regard you as unbalanced OF
,.1S6e subjects you are pressing"
81 see, see, )" responded CoXey, and hi
went on to explrin that he got the inspir
alton for his bonds bill in a dream which
he believes to have been of divine inspira
tion.
"You don't veritably believe the meas
ures you are pressing upon congress cat
be passed or progressed this session, do
your was asked
"I'm not viking to admit that-no sir
I am not" Coxey returned vehcmcntly
"Written petitions amount to nothing
There's the kind of petition that talks ant
has power" Coxey added, with a sweep
ing glance down the hill up which hi
men were following There are 100000 90
of well nigh starving men in this country
Let them come to Washington and sta
- there all summer if necessary. II the,
must die of starvation let them die uude
Ehe eyes of congress, where the stencil o
sir decay will I'LL the congressional nos
Is until something is done to abate th
inch and its cause 1t matters not q
he If I'm deemed crank. ! know In
hight. I don't care If Pm ruined finau
Bciaily in this work. can recover"
Nsw EnElnnders Having Hard Time.