The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1907-07-13

demning Bryan for his advocacy
Of government ownership and said
that had it not been for the coura-
geous stand he (Wllliamsl had
taken in opposition to the idea,
that it would have been made a
plank in the next Democratic
platform. Literally interpreting
Vardaman's S declaration that he
would never make a speech in the
United States Senate without urg-
Ing the repeal of the fifteenth
amendment. Williams closed
his speech with picture of Var
daman trying to speak on the fif-
teenth amendment repeal propo-
sition while the Senate was con-
sidering the Rivers and Harbors
Bill or other legislation wholly
foreign to the subject.
1t was 1875 when the governor
arose to speak and for fourteen
minutes such a pedlam of noise
and pandemonium of enthusiasm
greeted him that he could only
stand and join the chairman of the
meeting in mute appeals to the
audience to keep quiet. At a
sign from the chairman, the band
began to play, but the only indi-
cation that it was making a noise
was the red faces and pulled out
jaws of the musicians. Finally,
exhausted nature forced cessation
and the tired but still enthusiastic
Vardamanites got quiet. The
Gazette cannot now attempt to
give anything like a Just sum
mary of that masterfuI address
which the Governor delivered.
Let it suffice to say, that he met
Mr.. Williams on every PROPOSE
tion and completely answered his
arguments. His supporters, too,
made it all the harder. for him to
speak and doubtless consumed at
least third of same. 1t was not
uncommon when he had made a
particularly forcible and telling
point, for his friends to cheer for
two or three minutes before allow
ing him to proceed. As matter
of fact, the Governor was not
more than thirds through
with the address he expected to
deliver, before the rap of the
chairman forced him to conclude.
There was wild and tumultous
demand of him to continue, but
he shook his head, declaring that
he would abide by the agreement
as to time to which he had sub
scribed.
Williams rejoinder of thirty
minutes did nothing to stemvthe
tide but it developed the fact that
there is but little difference be-
tween the two leaders in this cam
paigu. With ali the force of
which he was capable Williams
declared that he was in favor of
the repeal of the fifteenth amend
ment and would give his left arm
could it be accomplished. And
that he only differed with the
Governor on the question of the
expediency of the present agita-
ton of the idea he contendlng
that the time, was not ripe for
such agitation.
Vardaman closed the taIkfest
with fifteen minute speech that
bristled with pointed argument,
and it was during this that the
only disagreeable incident of the
day occurred. Some ten or twelve
supporters of Williams, seated
directly in front of the stand, be-
gan TO ieer and hoot the Governor
as he began his brief reioinder
The Governor paused and in
quiet, dignifed manner rebuked
the offenders, saying that they
could not hope to land their chief
tian by such brutal discourtesy
and that he and his followers had
heard Mr.. Williams with all due
respect. This effectually silenc
ed them and the Governor proceed
ed without further interruption
save the cheering which was al
most continuous.
! When the. Governors time ex-
pired, the enthusiasm of the
crowd again surpassed all bounds.
With a rush and roar, five hun
dred men jumped upon the plat
form and crowded around Varea-
man. Others brought a chair
which had been fastened to two
pieces of timber and into this the
Governor was unceremoniously
thrust and eager hands lifted him
! high above the heads of the shout
Ing thousands. Thus he was car
ried off the platform and to his
carriage where he was kept busy
shaking hands with mis- now hila-
lrious adherents for at least thirty
minutes. The bearers Of banners
here made their appearance and
added to the Enthusiasm, il that
we're possible. The banners bore
| in large letters such striking
phrases as ~ ARDA M "A N.
LEADER OF THE GREAT MA
JORITY;;'7 MISSISSIPPI AL
WAYS LEADS SHE NEVER
| lFOLLOWS;;n JOHN SHARP
HAS ENOUGH OF JOINT De
BATE and dozens Of others Of
similar character.
The cheering now followed Var
daman to his hotel where they re-
luctantly dispersed. It was, with