Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-19

Each Speaker in Turn Struck Fire the Breasts
of His Auditors--A Red Letter in the
Campaign Calendar.

Montgomery, Aug 1S-(Speeial.) Pos
sibly the largest, certainly the most en-
thusiastic, assembly of democrats since
the days of Houston met In the theater
tonight and from o'clock until almost
midnight listened to good democratic
doctrine and cheered and cheered. The
occasion was the democratic rally called
to ratify the nomination of Mr.. Bryan
and Mr.. Sewall.
No special pains had been taken to adj
vertise the meeting-in fact, no notice of
it appeared in the local morning paper,
which claims to be democratic, but, new
ertheleSS the house. which has seating
capacity of HOO, was filled almost by
supper time, and during almost the en-
tire duration of the meeting the aisles
and doorways were crowded. The audi
ence was striking contrast to the little
national democratic gathering in the
same house the night before
Judge W. S. Thorington presided over
the meeting, a most fortunate selection,
and opened the proceedings with some
good advice and encouragement
Hon. Tennent Lomax of Montgomery
was the first speaker. Mr.. Lomax is
great favorite here as an orator. A great
deal is expected of him, and he never WIS.,
its disappointment on his friends. To-
night he made unquestionably one of the
greatest Efforts of his experience, and
the house rang with applause from the
beginning to the ending of his speech.
He paid splendid tribute to the democ-
racy's leader, Mr.. Bryan, which called
for the most enthusiastic cheers.
Hon. John B. Knox, the distinguished
chairman of the state executive commit
tee, was the next speaker Mr. Knox's
speech was logical argument on the
proposition that a sound money democrat
should faithfully and cordially support
the national ticket. He presented argu-
ments that cannot be gainsaid and his
speech undoubtedly had a convincing eff
feet ON such in the audience as were
wavering in their faith.
Mr.. Knox was followed by Hon. s. W.
John of Birmingham. Colonel John, in
his vigorous style. discussed the situation
that confronted the people of the south,
told how the republican party had visited
on the south all manner of infamous
measures and increased the burdens of
taxation on the farmers and wage work.
ers. He roasted the corporation sharks
and the agents of monopolies. who were
now using every means to deliver the
south again into the hands of the money
barons and monopolists.
Hon. e. l.. Russell of Mobile was the
fourth speaker. Mr.. Russell is always
favorite here. He is known to be true
and eloquent and warm hearted. and the
reception he was given tonight was a
very cordial one. His speech, which is
published herewith at length, will show
every democrat what an erstwhile sound
money man may be.
Governor Oates followed Mr.. Russell.
Governor Oates friends here are great
ly gratified at the firm stand he takes
and the unequivocal way in which he
criticises the fourth party movement.
1t was IL o'clock when Governor Oates
concluded, but the house made an inn
perative demand for a speech from Hon.
Ben II. Screws. Captain Screws is not
only one of the trueSt democrats in the
'bla elk belt, but one of the most eloquent.
His magnificent command of the English
language and his ready flow of wit and
wisdom are known and apprs ciated fully
by the people of Montgomery His
speech was we'll worthy of a much more
extended notice than this telegram will
permit 1t was the most eloquent appeal
to democrats not to be msled by the
sound money will-o'-the- wisp, which was
seeking to lead them straight into the re-
publican camp. He depicted the horrors
this section experienced while under re-
publican domination, and roasted the de-
serters most numerically.
The audience made repeated demands
for speech from Congressman Stall
ings, and he responded briefly in his own
apt and original style
The rally was great success from ev-
cry standpoint. Every one of the unter-
rified who was there was given occasion
to congratulate himself on being a demo-
crat. The wavering, If there were any,
who attended the meeting last night and
that tonight will not be long in decid ng
on their future political course 1t is
safe to assert that every bolter who was
present tonight went away with a big
lump of remorse on his bosom.
Resolutions cordially indorsing the
democratic national ticket were unani-
mousy adopted toward the close of the
meeting.
Speech of Hon. e. L. Russell.
Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens of
Montgomery: l cannot find suitable
language with which to express the pride
and pleasure / feel this evening in min
Cling with the true, tried and loyal DEM
ocrats of Montgomery
You have met as old-fashioned demo-
Gratis, without any 'prefixes or suffixes,'
to ratify the nomination of Mr.. Bryan as
the democratic candidate for the office of
president of the United States land the
nomination of Mr.. Sewall as the vice
president of the United States AS dem
ocrats, 1t is both your duty and right to
meet for this patriotic purpose. You
represent the regular and legally organ-
lied democracy Of Montgomery county,
the state of Alabama and of the United
States. Therefore. as the legal repre-
sentatives of the true regular democrat
ic party, you have no apology or defense
to make to any living being for having
met to ratify the nominations made at
Chicago and to indorse the platform
there adopted.
My position on the money question is
well known throughout the state. How