Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-24
FOR SOUND MONEY.
Between Seven and Eight Hundred
Delegates at Memphis.
SECRETARY CARLISLE SPEAKS
He Is Listened to with Eagerness-
An Ovation Accorded the Cabinet
Absent from the Convention.

renCy anu Better bdnhiHb AcillllcSt bS'
tween seven and eight hundred represen-
tative men OF the Southern States
assembled at the Auditorium this after
noon to express their opposition to the
doctrine OF the free ard unlimited coin
age Of silver and to declare in favor OF
the continuance Of present conditions.
1t was essentially a gathering OF solid
men," bankers and merchants. farmers
and manufacturers. storekeepers. and
members OF professions allied with In
dustrial interests. 1t was especially COM
mented upon that politicians were con-
spicuous by their absence.
The delegates began to assemble at the
Auditorium shortly after / o'clock. There
were few men OF national reputation in
the columns that marched up the aisles
with military tread. but those men who
were recognized came in for hearty greet
ings. General Thomas Catchings, OF
Mississippi who has parted with his flow
ing beard since the adjournment Of Con-
gress, was not recognized az first but
when the assembly found him out 1t
made the rafters ring. Others who came
OF Mississippi; Clarke, OF Alabama
and Patterson. OF Tennessee; Lieuten-
ant-Governor AlvOrd, OF Kentucky, and
observation-disclosures Stanard, Of Mis-
souri,.
When Chairman Crawford. OF the local
Committee OF Fifteen. assumed the gave
at O'clock there were go delegates on
the fio0I and 1900 spectators in the gal
leries. A few words OF welcome were
prettily and quickly spoken. and perma-
nent organization was then In order. The
Alabama Congressman, Mr.. Clarke. was
recognized for the purpose OF present
ing the name OF Little Giant from Mis-
sissippi as permanent chairman, but nc
ayailed himself of a call to the platform
20 lead off the oratorcal fireworks with
a speech that reused all the energetic en-
thusiasm OF his audience.
NOT A FoRLoRN BAND.
I'VE are not a forlorn band making 8
desperate and hopeless fight" said Mr.
Clarke, but we are here 10 give form and
organization and voice to a widely-spreaC
public opinion that ia growing in volume
and that is destined to mould the financial
policy of this country. We have nothing
TO fear In the fight that has been forced
upon us. The conservatism OF the Amer.
ican people will not allow its monetary
system TO be dragged down 10 the debased
level of Mexico and China. The roar of
the free silyertes is as the roar OF a
fire few upon chef, that soon burns Itself
out and leaves but ashes and smut. IT
is but the echo Of the fat-moneyites.
standing here az a southern man. |
say that / have firm confidence I'm the
sound sense and integrity OF that section
Of the country. in the cotton men. and
the industry that has made Memphis
one OF the most important cotton markets
in the world.
I'VE are not the blind followers or
tools OF any man or set OF men. but we
are led by man who has. like no other
man since Jackson, the confidence OF the
American people. prolonged applause
Why? Because the American people
know that their President Is honest
Cheers; that he possesses mental and
moral courage more cheers; that he Is
not only man. but a whole man; that he
has a wisdom that no obloquy can
darken."
Shouts and stamping followed the
speakers retirement from the platform
CATCHINGS CHAIRMAN.
There was more OF the same kind when
the motion was put and General Catch
ings declared selected as permanent
chairman. He was escorted 10 the plat
form. and gracefully acknowledged the
honor. and continued: "No convention has
ever assembled in this region for a higher
or nobler purpose. Not a man has come
here 20 advance any personal end or 10
accomplish any selfish purpose. We come
here believing that the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver would be disappointing
TO It's advocates and disastrous to all pub
lie and private interests.
IAN kinds Of charges have been made
against us. We have been charged with
seeking the interests Of the money
lenders. Let us give the lie to that. We
have been accused Of being In league with
Wall stree, Let US give the lie to that.
Let Us go home determined TO stand
resolutely for sound money, though the
world. the flesh. and the devil be against
us (Cheers)
"Our views are sanctlfed by the APP
prevail Of all the intelligence Of the couh-
try outside of political life. (Cheers) Let
us stand by our colOrs, and fight as a
man fights who knows he has right on
his side. The great heart OF the American
people always responds TO the truth at
the proper time. and II is impossible 10
believe that 100000 people, composing
the greatest government on earth, would
deliberately cut themselves loose from the
civilization of the world and ally them
selves with Mexico China, Japan. and
people Of that sort. Speaking for myself,
before this great audience, i say ! stand
for Grover Cleveland and John g. car
Isle. prolonged applause) Why should
these men desire 70 engraft upon the
people a policy which is burdensome TO
them, when the people have given TO
them with a free hand every honor that
has been conferred upon themT"
COMMITTEE on RESOLUTIONS.
The selection OF a Committee on Reso-
luton was next I'm order, and was accom-
plished as follows: John NJ. Atherton, OF
kentucky; H. Ii. Richardson, Georgia.
$. G. Cox, Florida; George NJ. Trenholm,
South Carolina; George r.. Leighton, Mis-
souri,; Josiah Patterson. Tennessee;
Richard II. Clarke. Alabama; U. NJ. Rose
Arkansas; Leroy Percy, Mississippi; j.
G. Morris, Louisiana; Rufus Harity
Texas; Daniel Miller Maryland; w. H.
Mayo, Virginia.
There was no response when the States
Of West Virginia and North Carolina
were called.
Just as the committee had been com
pleted the tall form OF Secretary Carlisle
emerged from the stage. In an instant
delegates and spectators, women and men
were on their feet, and a mighty shout
went up. IL was succeeded by a yell
yet dear 10 southern hearts, and then
again, with a vOlley OF cheers with the
waving Of hats and canes and other ac-
compartments.
CARLISLE PRESENTED.
The ovation continued for several mo-
meEts. and was renewed when the Sec
Rotary OF the Treasury was formally pre-
sented. Silence having been. with dill
Guilty, restored, Mr.. Carlisle began his
speech, the delivery Of which occupied
precisely one and a half hours. He spoke
with unwonted energy, and made few
references to his notes. He was listened
TO with profound attention, the audience
being apparently anxious to grasp and
follow the trend OF his arguments and
the mass OF figures with which IL was
supported and there were few Interrupt
tions of approval until towards the close.
Then. when, with quyering forefinger,
he declared that the hard-earned savings
OF the poor ought not 10 be sacrificed
TO the avarice Of the wealthy mine
owners or the ambition of aspiring poll
ticlans his hearers fairly wens Wild, and
when. In his peroration, he urged that
there could be no prosperity for one geo.
lion at the expense Of the other. but that
All must stand or fall together Il looked
for a moment as though the enthusiastic
audience would storm the platform.
The Secretary was given final ovation.
on concluding, and recess until O'Clock
was then taken.
PLATFORM
The fsoynrnittee on Resolutions went int