Ripley County democrat., 1914-10-30

Saturday, which vas addressed by
Congressman J. J. Russell was a good
Indication Of the kind Of meetings that
have greeted Democratic speakers, moi
only in this county, bat in all parts Of
the country, q all reports state that
the speakers for Democracy are greet
ed by large crowds in every instance.
The court room was full, the seating
capacity taxed and many stood against
the walls and in the isles. Hon. Thom-
as Mabrey was selected TO preside II
the meeting and made very nice in
troductory speech.
Mr.. Russell was not 10 the best con-
dition for speech making. having vcry
sore throat from having made sixteen
speeches, some OF them 10 the open air
during the week. Thare we're a good
many Republicans in the audience and
none gsVe. any better attention, nor ap-
plaudsd more generously than they
| when he referred to bills passed by the
house wherein the Republican mem
bers Joined with the Democrats in vot-
ing. His speech as whole, was a
passing review OF the work Of the con-
gress during the past session. There
was nothing partisan, nothing that any
member OF any political faith could feel
ofendeI at, as 1t was clean, patriotic
sensible talk from the beginning,
wherein he referred to former visits
here and to old and well known citizens
who had always greeted him, to the
end, in which he thanked the people Of
the county for their support given him
in past years and the gracious support
given him at the last primary. All who
heard him pronounced the speech the
best they had heard him make, and
many said it was the best talk they had
ever listened TO. and in that they were
right, for il was one Of the most logical
sensible and interesting discussions Of
pending political matters ever made in
this city. He told one story near the
end that was good, aud had occurred to
him while on his tour Of the west end Of
the district. day or two before his Vis-
it here. He spoke very highly of his
two opponents, Tom Brown, the Repub.
lican candidate and Billie Brewer, the
Progressive candidate, aud said he
knew them both as kindly, pleasant
gentlemen friends and neighbors, as
they both Ii we'd in his home town, Char
lesion. Ha said that at one OF his
meetings ii west end county, an old
Republican friend Of his came to him
after the speaking, and shaking him by
the hand Alid, "Well, Mr.. Russ ell, I'm
glad to see you again, and |
liked your speech first rate. What |
don't like about this thing is that them
Two young fellers, your nephews, should
get out and make a race against you.
Now, | don't think that is very nice in
them" Mr.. Russell told che old gem
tleman that every man had u right to
run for Office ii he wanted TO, aud they
we're 10th excellent men, but that he
was wrong in supposlng that they were
his nephews, as neither OF them were
any celation TO him. "Why, is that
so" said the old man, "they both, in
thIir speeches here, called you Uncle
Joe, and spoke as il they had known
you all their lives" That is true re-
piled Mr.. Russell, aud that ii they had
respect aud fries dship enough for HIM
to call him "Uncle Joe." he was proud
Of 1t and glad they did. "But," said
the old man, "Iunderstand Tom Brown
lives in your house at Charleston, while
you are away" Eyes," replied Mr..
.stusself, "that is true. He lives in the
house and looks after the place while |
am away. But he has recently bought
himself home and will move to that"
After the speaking he held quite an
ovation as nearly everybody In the
audience went up and shook hands
with him and passed pleasant and
complimentary word. Such meetings
are Of the right sort, for 1t brings the
true public servant TO the hearts Of
those for whom he labors, and 10 whom
he owes the honors that are givea him d.
Mr.. Russell remained here until Sun
day morning and left for Cape Girar-
deau, and he will speak every day, and
not reach his home at Charleston from
which he has been gone for nearly a
/ e......s... ss,,kk