The record-union., 1897-07-15
EI-SeCretaU Of State Carlisle Chosen Per-
rnanent Chairman.
Stirring Addresses Delivered by
James c. Simms, Ex-Secretary
Carlisle and Henry Watterson
Severe Arrangement of DEM
ocrats Who Favor the Free
Coinage of Silver.

LOUISVILLE July 14.-For Ken
lucky. a State which has taken so
much pride in the steadfastness Of her
Democracy, an almost novel conven-
tbon was held to-day in Louisville un-
der the name National Democratic"
While the selection of a candidate
for the State Court Of Appeals is the
ostensible purpose, it does not give a
true insight into the motive of such a
representative gathering. Behind it all
is what the leaders of the movement
pronounce a principle of Democracy,
and this goes back to the Chicago con-
vention. In fact, gold or silver is the
question which underlies the contest
here to-day
The Republicans have given up any
idea Of making a formal overture for
fusion, having in vain demanded that
the nominee of the Democrats should
have his name placed under the en-
blem of the Republican party. to Sc
cure that party's support
BY > o'clock the convention hall had
been filled to its capacity. A notice
able point was that elderly men pre-
dominated.
The first overflowing of enthusiasm
tered the hall, and before the cheering
for him could die out. ex-Secretary
John G. Carlisle and the Hon. Henry
Watterson appeared and gave a fresh
impetus to the enthusiasm. 1t was to
Colonel w C. P. Breckinridge, how
ever, that the heartiest recognition was
accorded.
The boxes and stage were graced by
lad 1n
to the honors shown to men who have
Won renown in public service.
The formal opening of the convention
was through a prayer by Rev Charles
E Craik, an Episcopalian minister of
Louisville
on account of the absence in Europe
Of Hon. George A. Davie, the duty
Of calling the convention to order fell
upon the Hon A. J. Carroll of Louis
vile, who presided over the House dur
ing the last session in a manner which
Won the appreciation of the opponents
His appearance was the signal for an
outburst of applause.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Carroll
made it clear that the issue was forced
upon and accepted by those who were
Tor the conscientious principles unalter-
ably opposed to the free silver delu-
sion" He challenged the Frankfort
convention, at which the Hon. J. C. S.
Blackburn was SO great a factor, with
having run up the piratical flag" and
followed with the assertion: I'VE will
continue the fight with all the vigor
of our minds and hearts until the last
Vestige of heresy is eradicated."
Mr.. Carroll introduced Hon. James c.
Simms of Bowling Green as temporary
Chairman. ]. c. Simms spoke in part
as follows:
In kentucky there are to-day 80
900 true and tried Democrats who have
never wandered away from the true
faith, and never have in the past and
VIII never in the uture bow the knee
TO agrarianism, POpulism, Socialism.
mobilism, or Organism.
We are not Democrats simply for the
reason that our fathers. perchance
We're Democrats, but because we be-
heVed that the principles advocated by
the genuine Democracy are best cal
culated to give US good government
Federal, State, county and municipal
and thereby result in the greatest good
to the greatest number.
Our free silver friends seem to have
lost entirely their powers of discrim-
ination, for they cannot discriminate
between wealth honestly obtained and
wealth dishonesty obtained. The
highest recommendation that a man
can posses for complete affiliation with
this PopulistD Democratic party is that
he is rolling stone. has gathered no
moss, run down at the heel, has moth
want anybody else to have anything.
The Democracy of the hour is for
brave and patriotic manhood The ad-
vocates of free silver in an unlucky
hour surprised and captured party or
ganization and brought ruin and dis
aster upon our party. By threats and
clamor and false pretense they have
deranged all values, frightened all
business enterprises, paralyzed all in
dustrieS, and almost brought ruin and
bankruptcy upon our people and they
nave added insult to injury by charg-
ing that they are innocent victims of
the authors of their mischief.
How long is this thing to continue?
How far is it to reach? Are we all
craven towards. to be intimidated and
bulldozed, or shall we put on our ar
NOR and acquit ourselves like men?
This delusion cannot last A brave
determined stand is all that is nee
essary to prevent fallacies and thus
confound it.
The peroration of Mr.. Simms' speech
was delivered with an earnestness and
solemnity which approached eloquence
and was given applause in which the
speaker had cause to feel great pride
Immediately after Mr. Simms' speech
the routine work of the convention
was taken up by calling the districts
and the naming of committees.
When the several committees had
been named there broke forth a SEEM
ingly unanimous call for s'Breckin-
ridge, Breckenridge, which would not
be silenced until he came forward
Without attempting more than few
words of commendation for the pur-
pose Of the convention he appeased
his hearers, who in turn raised their
voices for such favored ones as Car
Isle, Watterson, Lindsay and others,
but none of these responded, as it
would have delayed important routine
work.
Permanent organization was speed
ily effected, with the Hon. John G..
Carlisle as Chairman. and the conyen-
ton arose as one man to wave hats
and cheer as he assumed control For
some seconds enthusiastic tumult pre-
vented him from speaking, and he
stood bowling recognition of the very
fiatterfng reception. When quiet had