The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-03
WELCOMED HOME
WITH OPEN ARMS
Warm Reception rendered Col.
Thompson at Tuskegee.
A SPONTANEOUS OUTBURST
Town Pride Was Aroused to the High
est Pitch and Was Enthusiastically
DEMONSTRATION. j. Thomas
Hefin Shared the Honor

Tuskegee, September 2.-(Special.)-The
spirit of town pride was most enthusiasts
ticly demonstrated on Friday night when
this little town, with open arms, welcomed
home Colonel Charles w. Thompson, Ma
cons beloved son, who has just won VIC
tory in his contest for the Democratic
nomination for Congress in the Fifth Con-
gressional district.
Bond fires, torchlight procession, with
bands of music created a spectacle such as
is seldom seen in a town of twenty-five
hundred inhabitants, the equal of when
was probably never before witnessed here.
1t was a sponsaneous outburst on the
part of not only the democracy of Macon
County but of the entire people of Tus-
kegee, including men, women and children,
the two last named seeming the most dem
onstrative in their approval of the course
of the towns most beloved citizen.
If a doubt had ever existed in the minds
of any people that the people of Macon
were enthusiastic for their candidate, 1t
would most assuredly have been dispelled
after witnessing that generous reception.
1t was decided late Thursday evening
to arrange a serenade for Colonel Thomp-
son on Friday night. Accordingly several
of his friends from other counties in the
district were notified and quite number
of them were present.
Among the invited guests who were pres
ent was Hon. ]. Thomas Hefiin of Cham
bers, who had been a candidate against
and whose strength was used in nominat-
Ing Colonel Thompson, and Mr.. Helm
shared almost equally the honors with
Colonel Thompson. He arrived at Chehaw,
the station on the Western, five miles from
Tuskegee, at o'clock, and there he was
met by an escort of Tuskegeeians and in
@ carriage, drawn by four handsome gray
horses the brilliant young statesman from
Chambers was driven to this place, ar
irving here just after night fall. The es-
cort was met by long procession of citl-
zens having torchlights and fairly max
ing the town ring with hurrahs for Helm
and Thompson.
1t was one of the heartiest and most
enthusiastic demonstrations ever accorded
a candidate in Alabama.
At the beautiful home of Mrs. w. p.
Thompson the procession halted. Here
was presented picture of ante-bellum
days. The magnificent old home, with
pIOdu NeTdHudS anu Stately 1TtcldH COl-
umns, was soon surrounded by the enthus
iastic torch-bearers, and great bond fires
lighted the lawn and streets. While lunch
was being served the crowd kept up a
steady howl for Thompson and lief
lin" By o'clock a thousand people had
gathered to do honor to their fellow
townsman Among these were several
hundred ladies who seemed to take great
interest in the success of the Macon can
didate.
Col. Thompson's Speech
The appearance of Colonel Thompson on
the front veranda was the signal for
fresh outburst of enthusiasm which last
ed for several minutes. Colonel Thomp-
son was escorted by Mr.. Hefin, Mr. C. W.
Hare and General Charles ]. Bryant Mr..
flare acted as master of ceremonies and
after brief speech congratulating Colonel
Thompson upon his brilliant campaign, the
latter was presented.
For the first few moments Colonel
Thompson seemed overwhelmed by the en-
thusiastic reception accorded him. He was
soon at himself, however, and to many of
those present he made his maiden efforts.
To these his eloquence was surprising, for
Colonel Thompson has always been recog-
nized as a business man and not an ora
tor.
After expressing his gratitude to his
friends for their loyal support, Colonel
Thompson entered into a detailed statement
of his campaign, time and again expressing
his gratitude to his friends for tiding him
over rough waters In several of the coun-
ties.
He said that he had left home compar-
alive stranger in the district, but that he
had gone direct to the people with his plat
form and gained popular victory in every
county in which he had made a contest
He believed that there could be no ques-
tion but that he was the Democratic NOM
inee In the district, but expressed perfect
willingness to submit the case to the State
Democratic Committee for settlement He
said he had been nominated by a majority
Of the qualified delegates to the Goodwater
convention, and he did not fear the action
of the supreme court of the party as re-
CARDS the case.
Whatever the conditions, he expected to
be elected in November by the largest ma
jority ever given a candidate in the dis
trict He had messages from several Of the
former supporters Of Colonel Brewer, stat
Ing that they were now for Thompson as
the regular Democratic nominee. Among
these was one from Senator-elect Norman
Of Chambers, who was placed upon the
Brewer executive committee. Mr.. Norman
will decline the honor.
Among other things, Colonel Thompson
said:
1.-The verdict of the Fifth District de-
mocracy has been rendered; and, COM