The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-22
SENATOR McCALLA'S SPEECH.
A Feast Of Reason and Flow of
SOuI-Captalns Present NJ edaIs.

Editor Press and Banner
On Tuesday night OF last week large num-
Der Of the friends and admirers OF the Hon.
Isaac McCalla paid him an ovation at his
beautiful country home on the Savannah.
| II was about $50 o'clock when the process.
sion came to halt In front OF the house and
called for the Senator. In that hearty. happy
style characteristic OF the man, Mr.. McCalla
responded TO the demand Of bis friends, sub
stantlally as follows:
Fellow Friends:-My heart cordially re-
sponds to your pleasure. II Is h proud mo-
meut Tor me, that / can come back to you
from the greatest National Democratic Con-
venLion in the history Of this Republic, and
confirm the press reports Of victory tor pure
Democracy.
The lines OF battle, as you we'll know,
were clearly drawn before the delegations met
In the gigantic coliseum OF that mighty city.
1t was gold. or corporate wealth, on the one
side, aud silver, or the people, on the other
side. The fight was stubborn and unrelent-
Ing, but free silver swept the field like tidal
wave.
You need have no fear OF the Judgment OF
Of the Convention In the selection OF the man
who has the standard or Democracy in his
heart andh and, and who Is so sure to win the
victory as that you are here tonight. His re-
cord s clean, his reputation for indomitabe
courage is national, his principles are theoe Of
the fathers of Democracy, his intellectual
strength Is unsurpassed by any statesman on
the Continent, and his sublime elOquence can't
oe eQualled. His great speech had much to
do with his getting the nomination., but the
real secret that gave him the high honor OF
first place on the National ticket, is to be
founu In the fact of his spotless character,
his high conception OF patriotism. and bis
natchiess ability and courage 70 defend the
cause OF the people. Williamn j. Bryan will
not disappolnt you as a candidate, he Will no!
dIsappoint you when he becomes the highest
executive officer Of this Nation for be is OF
the people. and when elected will be a peoples
President.
His running mate from Maine, Mr.. sewall.
hoo coll "a nur raI fOr
place. 1t is true he comes from the ftIr East,
but the light OF the peoples cause is growing
even there, and you need not be surprised to
see Maine IN the silver column next Novem.
ber.
The ticket Is strong one and good one,
and l would not te true 10 you, my friends II
failed on this occasion TO congratulate you
upon the success you have attained in reslor-
Ing Democracy to It's early place in the hearts
and affections of the people OF this Country.
The struggle you so gallantly made In South
Carolina Tor an administration to represent
the wishes Of the People was va
have had but one short time 10, live to see your
cause sweep across this entire Nation, capture
the machinery OF the National Democratic
Convention, and put your standard bearers
already In stones throw OF Washington.
Behind the clouds of the spoiler the sun OF
prosperity is shining. the embattled walls Of
The Shylocks are crumbling 10 the ground.
and when the November election has been de-
clared, William j. Bryan will be The Presid-
ent of a free people. whose freedom Is not a
mockery.
In conclusion, let me thank you for this
compliment you have paid me. II appre-
ciaie any thing more than another, 1t Is that
all am owe II to you, and II at any time
have failed to merit your approval, my
friends, the fault was of the head but not OF
the heart
At the close OF the Senators address the
crowed was asked to take seats on the
balcony. A number OF pleasantries were in
dulged In during the evening, the Senator
leading In most OF them.
very amusing little incident occurred that,
perhaps, 1t would not be amiss to relate In
this connection.
Mr.. McCalla drew from his pocket four
Bryan buttons, and calling to Mr.. w. G.
Shaw asked II he would not be kind enough TO
present them TO the four ugliest persons in the
the faces present Mr.. Shaw's decision was
announced, but for sweet charity's sake the
unhappy fellows will not be exposed. In de.
hveriug his decision Mr.. Shaw said, that
there might be some objection offered 10 the
style in which he would present the prizes
TO the fortunate winners, but that he did not
think any one present would take exceptions
to his judgment In the matter.
An elaborate feast had been prepared by
the delightful hostess. Mrs: McCalla, and was
enjoyed 10 the very brim by every one
present Too much cannot be said OF the
nice way In which Mrs. McCalla provided
this elegant supper, and the graceful manner
in which II was served.
The Senator treated his friends TO eloQuence
and festivity. but his good vile did better, she
gave them meat and drink and sent them of
rejoicing. G. T. b.
Loundesville s. c., July Goth 1896.