Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-23
OVATION TO DEBS.
a LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC ES-
CORT TO CHICAGO.
"Biood y-Bridies" Waite on Hand to
Welcome the a. II. 4. President TO
Liberty Agaiu-The "Marseillaise'-
Public Meeting-Speechcs.

CHICAGO. ILL, November 22.-Eugen'
" Debs FOR Eve minutes this Afternoon
was literally ''in the hands OF hi
friends" 1t was Just after the arrival O
the train-load Of enthusiastic admirers Of
this great strike leader at the little tow
of Woodstock, where he had again breath
ed the air OF freedom for the FIRST time II
half a year. They had marched from th'
railroad depot TO the jail. and Debs STOOD
upon the steps awaiting them. There wal
a preliminary thunder of hurrahs. anc
then the storm Of bottled-up admiration
broke and there was scene when mas
hardly ever been duplicated in the ANIMAL;
|. Of labor affairs.
Without giving him chance 10 SPEAK
the crowd rushed upon their nero drag
god him from the steps, and in rev mo
nents had him high in the air. THOSE
who had the good fortune 10 reach hin
first were allowed the privilege OK hold
ing him. and he was passed from hand
TO hand. while all the others struggled !,
get near hin. casual spectator mitn'
have taken the whole scene for one oil ths
mighty battles between rival football
teams. and have imagined that Debs nae
the ball Meanwhile the crowd kept UP 2
constant calling and the bands played on
quering Hero Comes,
Dabs took IL all I'm the good-natured
spirit in which IL was meant. ana whtt
ne was put down began a nandshaklne
soiree that lasted until the ttain wa
nearly ready to start
The train arrived at woodstock az
o'clock. and was filled Win labor u.,e
gates and the principal friends or MI
Debs, about five hundred men IN all. lhey
occupied six cars.
Among those who went TO Woodstock
was Governor Waite. OF colorado. ne
came all the way from Denver TO be pres
ent. There was a notable scene when no
and Debs met Debs threw his arms
around the aged Executives neck ana sdio
IN a tremulOus voice, God bless you. my
boy" The Governor seemed equally over
come.
The march TO the train was like the
triumphal entry OF a ruler fortunate ~
war. rather than a welcome 10 MAI
found guilty in the eyes of the law; Inc
music was the "Marseillaise.' ana the
streets were black and white with hun
dreds Of citizens standing ankle-deep IN
the snow TO catch "A glimpse OF me cen
trail figure OF the day. Fully half or the
spectators We're women. ana one or TWO
ii these brought flowers ana threw them
al the cause Of all the excitement
When the delegation reached Chicago
another crowd was waiting at the NoItn-
western depot. and the scene at WOOD
stock was duplicated in mider colors.
From the depot the line of march was
taken up 10 Battery ID, and although a
miserable driZZle was dropping, the
streets were filed with spectators. who
joined the marchers.
Five thousand people were present al
Battery ID when the procession escortihs
Debs reached the hall. and the meeting
was soon called 10 order. q. r.. Noou-
bury was chairman. He spoke brleiiy, ana
introduced Mr.. II. d. Lloyd. of Chicago,
who in the course Of his remarks, SAID
that Mr.. Debs was to-day the most popu-
lar man in the United States with the
real people. because he was the repudiator
of government by injunction.
Mr. LLOYD was followed by Ex-Governor
Waite. who made a characteristic speech.
Among other things. he said the decision
by the courts in the Debs case reduced
the American people 10 slavery
Tommy Morgan read letters from Au-
gust Migrath. secretary of the American
Federation Of Labor; j. 5. Coxey, John
Swnton. Rev. H. y. Casson. Of Lynn.
Mass; J. +. Mcclure. Of Philadelnhia
Samuel GOmpers. eN-president OF the fede-
ration Of Labor; eX-COngressman j. Il.
Weaver. Des Moines; d. .. Flower. Bos-
ton. editor Of the Arena, and many others.
Mr.. Debs was greeted with tremendous
applause as he made his way 10 the front
Of the platform. As soon as permitted.
TO do so he delivered prepared speech.
the topic IL which was Liberty
After terming the Imprisonment of him
self and his colleagues a fragrant viola
ton OF the CONSTITUTION, the totai dDTo-
cation Of law. and a usurpation OF judi
Oial and despotic power, the speaker had
this to say OF his trial by jury for con-
spiracy:
AT the instigation OF railroad corpora
tons | was indicted for conspiracy. The
trial terminated abruptly on account OF a
sick juror and il was currently reported
that the incident was merely a pretext
10 abandon the trial. Whether true or
not. / do know that | have been denied
trial and here and now | demand a
hearing Of my case"