The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-30
REBEL. GHOST DANCES AT CHICAGO.


Fuller knowledge of the side-shows
and the non-oficial performances at
Chicago, show that the Convention was
in reality rebel ghost dance scarcely
inferior in gush and viciousness to that
executed but few days before around
the cornerstone of the Jeff Davis monu-
ment at Richmond. Indeed, the leading
spirits were the same in both events,
and most of them went directly from
Richmond to Chicago, with the inspira-
ton of the scenes on the banks of the
James River still fresh in their mrepent-
ant minds. Take as an illustration the
report made by John 2. Irish, leading
Iowa Democrat, and strong Union man
during the war, of the visit Of Senator
J. S. C. Blackburn to the California
delegation:
When Senator Blackburn appeared he was
glowingIy introduced by Mr.. Foote, and
spoke first a eulogy of Kentucky, mention
ing especially as her leading features OF ex-
eel lence whisky, horses and women. lie
said that he was thrilled by the meeting
with Foote; that they first met as blanket
mates in that glorious part OF their career,
when thew were fighting for the Southern
Coniederacy-a service to Their country OIL
which he was proud, for which he knew
Foote had never apologiZed and Tor when
he would never make excuse lie salu
Kentucky. in view OF her past service to the
country. OF her position and capacity tie care
for the popular interests. In his person asked
that her care and kindness be upon our ~
coo 600 of people through the Executive
Office, and therefore asked of California
solid vote to inJrust TO her the Presidency IN
the person of a Kentucky statesman
This speech. followed by Dixie" old
Kentucky Home and 1.-The Bonnie Blue
Fay aroused great enthusiasm and was re-
sponded to in the most ornate style by MT.
Foote Some thought that either Foote or
Blackburn should have made some reference
10 Senator White, for this was the great
event of the occasion in the California dele
CATION which had been carefully prepared
for, and 10 Obligation of hospitality excuses
this ignoring o. White.
True. Whl1e was rot in the Confederate
army, but one or two members OF the dele
cation tell me they do not regard that as a
positive disqualification. Others, who feel
that it does weaken him here, insist that his
services to California and to free silver ought
to strengthen that weak place in his record
Is not that fine reading for the loyal
people of this country Senator Black
burn, himself strong candidate for the
Presidential nomination, electioneers the
California delegation by saying that the
proudest part of his life, that which he
looks back upon with the most satlsfac-
ton, were the years he spent raiding
robbing and burning as one of John ii
Morgan's guerrillas.
Naturally, the band played Dixie
and "The Bonnie Blue Flag" after thi;
burst of eloquence, and very naturally
the whole California delegation went
back at once on Senator White, to whom
they were pledged, because he had ne
rebel military record to "point to witt
pride"
Mr.. Irish was sorely disguised with al
these exhibitions of disloyalty, and par
ticularly with "the rebel yell, which
drowned out the old-fashioned, sonorous
orotund, red-necked Democratic cheers,
when Senator Daniel was put in nomi
nation against Senator Hill.