The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1908-07-15
T. WATSON TAKES HIDE FROM
HOKE SMITH AND BILL BRYAN.
Populst Candidate for President Pitched Into Grover
Cleveland Too Said His Administration Was Rotten.

Kisses for Bryan. cheers for Roose-
welt, an ovation for Watson, a roast
for Bryan. mild praise for Roosevelt,
a strong bid from Watson for the
electoral vote of Georgia. Such,
briefly stated, is a concise statement
of the opening meeting of the popu-
list convention in Atlanta Thursday
morning. Never was Mr.. Watson in
better form and vigor than when he
stood before the enthusiastic audi
ence of some three thousand per-
sons, and tuned his voice with the
falling rain in defense of himself
and mis- political principles.
VOlIeys of Cheers.
Mr.. Watson was a late arrival, and
the delay gave his friends time to
muster all their enthusiasm. 1t burst
the bounds several times in advance
of his appearance. Anxiety as to
his coming added to the appreciation
shown when he did reach the scene.
Many prominent men were seated
on the stage, and well known ladies,
wives Of Atlanta's most prominent
business men, occupied places Of
honor near the platform.
When the candidate for president
entered just few moments before
HOO o'clock the crowd with one ac-
cord or the unanimity of single
person almost, rose and gave forth
volley after volley of cheers. The
applause literally shook the rafters,
as it rose like thunder against the
tin roofing.
1t was many minutes before the
mild voice of J. J. Holloway state
chairman, could be heard He called
the assemblage to order, and Dr..
John E. White. pastor of the Second
Baptist church, delivered the opening
invocation.
Mr.. Watson launched forth at the
beginning in his wonted style. catch
ing the crowd with his apt phrase
olOgy, and pungent sentences.
The speech was the first of two de-
1iVered by the populist candidate for
president. He began by congratu-
lating himself on the fact that the
time had arrived when he could OBJ
tain a fair hearing. He said that
owing to bitter political passion al
most one-half Of the people of Geor-
Gia, to say nothing Of those in other
states, had been unwilling to hear
him speak or read what he wrote.
and that. consequently, he had suf-
fered from misrepresentation, mis-
conception and partisan abuse. He
stated that through all those dark
years he never abandoned the hope
that a better state of feeling would
some day prevail, and that he would
be correctly judged by the people.
He declared that he had never meant
anything but the best interests of the
masses of the people.
Pleads for Georgia's. Vote.
Give me" he said the electoral
vote of Georgia. my native state. and.
though in my opinion both the old
parties in national affairs are prac-
tfCally the same | Will ont Of CON
sideratiOn for those who differ Wit
me in this, give my pledge that #
this vote is found indispensable for
the success Of the democratic candi-
date for president he shall have the
Watson electors" 1t was one of the
terms Of working and permanent
compromise between the two parties
in Georgia that he prOffered
1T is one of the dreams of my life
and one of the hopes | yet enter
tain, he said further Ito help carry
the south back to the position of in
fluence which she held before the
war. I have an ambition to be al
lowed to fight the battles of the
south. l believe that if my state will
give me proper backing / can do