The age-herald., 1900-11-02
WHEELER DEPENDS
 HIS DEMOCRACY
Says He Stands Where He Has
 Always Stood
HE SOUNDS WARNING NOTE
Says That if the Republicans Remain in Power Much Long Measure Similar to the Force Bill
 Will Be Passed

Courtland, November 1.-(Special )-Gen. Joseph Wheeler spoke to an audience of probably 25O persons at Town Creek yes- terday afternoon. The crowd that was at the train to meet the distinguished gentle man was a surprise as notice that he was going to speak was only given yesterday. Fully hundred men, women and children met the westbound passenger train and eagerly Shook the hands of the famous little warrior. General Wheeler was m first-class trim and the fire which flashed from his eyes during the course Of his speech should have given a sufficient warn ing to his enemies that he is still able to take care of himself in the forum as well as in the battlefield. He was introduced to the audience by his lifelong friend, pr. R. B. Porter, and spoke in part as fol- lows:
 When I was in New York about ten days ago 1 received a letter from a mem Der of the Democratic Executive Commit tee, telling me that there apathy In the Eighth District of Alabama, and ask ing that l come here and make some speeches, urging the people to come out and support the ticket. In obedience to that request l took the train the next morn ing, and it is with pleasure that l am again with the people of my home county. There are reasons, very many of them, why every man should do the full measure of his duty in the coming election. The Spanish war has made a great change in the feeling of the people of the North tow ard those of the South. Before the war the Democrats of the North were just about as bitter toward the Southland as the Republicans of that section, but that fnn n1tfafF hnG Fhsl araa1 In fnT n member of Congress to be ueful to his peo- ple 1t Is necessary that he take his seat in the Congress backed by the full vote of his district. This apathy and paucity of votes has been the trouble with the Congressman of the South. We are so largely Democrt- ic that great many of our people do not take the trouble to go to the polls and vote, and it has been used as an argument against that we do not represent the sentiment of a majority of the people of our districts.
 Tribute to Richardson
 'Thirty-seven years ago I mustered into the service of the Confederacy a volunteer company, of which your nominee for Con- gress was lieutenant That company fell into my regiment, and no company did better or more valiant service for the cause. How well Judge Richardson per formed his individual duty, the honorable wounds of his body will testify. Twice previously wounded he hestated not, but fought the bloody conflict out. Of his serv- ice for the Democratic party since that memorable struggle you all know. He de- serves and is entitled to your full and un- qualified support
 Congress at its next meeting will pass a law apportioning the representation of states and there has already been threats made by the Republicans of the North that representation of the South would be cur tailed on account of measures pertaining to the disfranchisement of the negro. Though there has been no such law passed in Alabama, apathy on our part would be very detrimental to our rights, and for thac reason also, 1 earnestly urge that every Democrat in Alabama go to the polls next Tuesday in order that the full Democratic strength of Alabama may be represented.
 For the past thirty-five years all lesis- lation In Congress has been for the ad- vantage of the North and to the detriment of the South. Having, as we have, the richest mineral and the most fertile lands of the earth, the North has pushed forward while we have retrogaded. All of that has changed, and l believe that before the next Christmas, the Nicaraguan canal bill will be a law, and the products of the South will find buyers in the markets of the world. All we have ever needed has been a market and the good God has given that to us.
 Ten years ago, but a single vote in the senate or the Onlteu oldteS SdNeu oul country from the passage of the force bill, and if the Republican party remains in power but little while longer some meas ure of this kind will be forced upon the South. The time is at hand when every man should do his whole duty and Pse- vent the success of the Republican party.
 Defends Himself
 "When I spoke at Huntsville few days since, 1 made the same speech so far ns I have gone that I have made here today. Before making that speech I was warned that 1 would be maligned, and after l had spoken it was telegraphed all over the country that I had not said one word for the Democratic party If l have said word here in its favor, I said 1t in Hunts vile; if l have failed here, l failed in that city. Fourteen days after l spoke in De- catur thes secretary of the Democratic Executive Committee for the Eighth dis trict published in his paper that l was making Republican speeches in the dis trict. This September 2S and oDiy two days prior to that date he had written to me to come to Alabama and make some speeches for the ticket, and 1 understand that his editorial accusing me of Repuh- licanism was written on the same date as his letter requesting me to speak
 q was in New York when l received this letter from Dr. Grubbs. l had gone there to meet my daughters, one of whom I had not seen in over year. It was at night when they came and they wanted me to remain with them for a few days, but I said, No! I must go back to Alabama and speak for, the ticket I left the next morn- ing and returned here, only to be maigned by my enemies. l have been criticised for pninp I hpn1nca T