Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-20
Gen. Hardin and Col. Bradley at
 Louisville.
THE KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN
Formally 0pened-Vigorous Speech by the Democratic Standard Bearer-Ener-
 getic Rejoinder Enthusiasm

of the most vigorous political campaign ever known in the commonwealth of Kentucky was made at the auditorium tonight in the presence of 5000 people by a joint debate of three hours between Gen. P. Watt Hardin and Col. W. |. Bradley, the democratic and republican candidates for governor, respectively
 The assemblage was the most respecta- ble that was ever gathered in this state on a political occasion, and the enthusi- asm that burst forth during the speaking was such as could only be expected from
 intense partisans. The auditorium was equally divided between democrats and republicans, there being about 5000 rep resentatives of each party present.
 The vast hall was filled a half hour be- fore the time set for the opening of the debate, and the stage held 400 prominent men of each party and newspaper men from all over the country. The presence of so many was an indication of the deep interest that is being taken in the cam paign in Kentucky.
 Mayor Henry s. Taylor presided, intro ducing the speakers. Among the promi- nent politicians present were Gen. simon Bolivar Buckner and the other candl- date for the United States senate, Ex- Senator Blackburn.
 In opening his speech General Hardin said that he was not present to argue TOT himself with cunning evasive diplomacy but to do battle boldly and bravely for the principles of democracy. After relt- erating his allegiance to the principles of democracy and declaring them neces- sary to the welfare of the country, he touched lightly upon the financial issue, saying that the republicans, with an im- pudence that would be surprising in any other party, claimed that there were di- visions in the democratic ranks over the currency question. There were some who had opinions somewhat different from those expressed by the London agents in this country" said General Hardin. '"There was some division of opinion when they came together in the state convention. l was one of them. plead guilty. I have never evaded duty or shirked a responsibility. l bravely ut tered and honestly advanced my convie- tions."
 He then for half an hour excoriated the record of the republican party, speaking only of national affairs. He then said the act of 1873 demonetizing silver was an act of treason to our country
 "Kentuckians. knew that every demo- crat at the recent state convention had opinions of his own and each had dared to express them, and I had mine; they were honest and I shall not desert them it having been my principle to do the will of my party and stand on the plat form which it makes and on that plat form l stand. Our platform calls for the coinage of both metals without dis elimination, provided only that the par ity of the two metals be maintained. What Kentucky democrat will not stand on that platform?
 General Hardin said he would give Col onel Bradley due warning that in the, course of the joint debate he would give the people proof that there had been gross fraud against the tax payers in every republican judicial district in Ken lucky except one.
 At 9:15 o'clock General Hardin finished his speech, hurling charge upon charge against the party which he opposed.
 When Colonel Bradley began half the house rose to man and gave three cheers. He said he was there to discuss living issues and not those which were dead. Answering a question of General Hardin he said that it was not true that there was controversy between himself and Congressman Walter Evans over the sound money resolution of the repub- lican state convention and the Courier Journal. MT. Evans himself also denied It. It was also false that he had refused to commit himself on the currency ques- ton. He was for sound money, with single standard, and before the conven- tion told a democratic editor that he would refuse the. nomination if his party adopted a free silver platform. At this there was applause from the democratic side, Louisville democrats being almost to man for single gold standard
 Colonel Bradley also gave considerable time to a general discussion of currency legislation. He had understood General Hardin to declare himself for the free and unlimited coinage of silver. The democratic state platform was taken up and each section attacked. The greater part of Colonel Bradley's speech was an arragnment of the democratic party's administration in Kentucky.
 "They tell you," he said that they d. vided the common school per capita with the colored man. but for seventeen long years left the colored citizen in the bonds of ignorance.
 Tt was no. until the common school was in danger of being wiped out that they consented to divide it. They did it only when forced to it.
 ''Yes, as General Hardin quoted I did say in my Worlds fair speech that Ken lucky was the grandest state in the un- ion. Had such not been the case she could never have stood democratic rule
 Tn the last decade, under the demo- crats, there has been an increase of illit- eracy in the state to the extent of 36 000"
 Comparing the democratic and republi- can conventions he thanked God that their chairman, like Chairman Berry. did not say By God, gimme a drink of whisky" and then gulp it down before the convention. He knew that the demo- crats individually were as honest as other people, but the party in Kentucky was a fraud and failure. He spoke of the de- falcation of State Treasurer Dick Tate It was the result of democratic negli- gence. He asked General Hardin if, in the event of his election and the death, of a United States senator would he ap- point free silver democrat to succeed him.
 Answering General Hardins questions he said that he did not want the New York law, opening public resorts to re- groes, nor did the negroes want it.
 At Il o'clock General Hardin began his fifteen minutes reply. He charged that Colonel Bradley was trying to fool the people by such clap-trap as sound money"