The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-22
FIRST WARD MEETING.
Addresses by William BOsson and
Rev. Mr.. barker.

The organization of a Rough Rider troop
at the First ward Republican headquarters,
at Seventeenth street and Arsenal avenue,
last night, was the occasion for an enthu-
siastic meeting and two stirring speeches,
one by William Bosom, of this city, and
the other by Rev. Barker, colored Bap-
fist preacher, of Tennessee. Judge Ere
mont Afford presided The audience was
vanced in years, but there were many
young men present who will cast their first
vote this fall. Distributed through the
room were also number of colored men.
Mr.. Bosom was the first speaker. He
took up the issues one by one. dealing with
the money question in businesslike man
ner. Much amusement was caused when
he alluded to Bryan's comparison of the
young men of America to Absalom the son
OF David. Mr. Bosom showed much more
familiarity with the Bible than Bryan when
he quoted Scripture by telling the story of
Absalom's soiled life and how he de-
throned his own father, making ridiculous
Bryans words, where is Absalom?" He
also talked about county financiering, COM
pairing the economical administration of
the Republicans in the last five years with
the extravagant municipal government.
Rev. Barker announced that he would use
for his text, Come, let US reason to-
rected to the colored people, and with tell
ing effect. But his speech also touched on
10 to / and so-called imperialism. He en-
livened his address with much wit and
fresh Illustrations from the South. His
opening statement was: 1.-THE Democrats
have no issue. Their issues are all dried
up" Then he followed by saying: I'VE in
tend to bury Bryan deeper this year than
ever. We are going to bury him face
downward, so that the more he scratches
the nearer he will get home"
The issues in general were dealt with in
moderate manner, but when he began TO
talk of Imperialism and its application to
the Acknowledgement of the negro in the
South he became intensely in earnest and
strongly appealed to his people to not be
mtsled by alleged quotations from Lincoln
and few colored men who have been
bought by Democratic money. He present.
ed the scene of slave auction days that he
himself had witnessed and mentioned the
prayers of his mother. then a slave, for the
liberation of the colored men. He said the
interests and liberty of the colored man are
now more seriously jeopardized and the
Acknowledgement would be more complete
by the election of Bryan than at any time
prior 10 the war of the rebellion.
In closing he said he wished TO pay his
respects to Bishop Turner. colored MEM
Der OF the clergy who had turned against
the Republican party and had taken up the
cause of Bryan. He said There is Bishop
Turner. an old man. made postmaster and
honored by the Republican party all his
life, who now SAYS the mantle of Abraham
Lincoln is being worn by Bryan and is
good nit. In the first place. Bishop Turner
is liar. That is about sufficient TO cover
the whole thing. but little more explana-
ton might further substantiate my asser-
tion." Then he picked up a picture OF an
old negro approaching the polls with ballot
I'm hand. but prevented from casting IT by
large man armed with a horse whip and
another with a shotgun. That is the con-
dition in the South. where Tillman and his
ilk have sway he said, and is what can be
expected in the North if the colored people
permit themselves 10 be misled by sucfr
men Bishop Turner into voting for