R. E. Esteb made the opening speech,
in which he stated that the wealth of the
country was increasing at the astonishing
rate of $2,500,000 per diem, or less than
twenty five cents for each person in the
country. The speaker made a skyrocketty
oration, concluding with this touching
sentiment. “Trusting that I haven’t
wounded the feelings of any person pres
ent, trusting that on the Bth of November
you will treat the republican candidates
with kindly consideration, I am yours
most respectfully.”
D. D. Moore, Rev. J. Marshall and
Rev. Z. T. Thistle also spoke, but the
pent up enthusiasm of the crowd did not
find an outlet till N, C. Cash was intro
duced. He was greeted with tumultuous
applause, which was continued for several
minutes. Mr. Cash advanced to the fore
with an assumption of dignity which was
overwhelming. He gracefully crossed his
legs in the well known attitude of a ton
sorial artist ready to exclaim, “next!”
Two finders of his right hand rested on
the table beside him and smiles of gen
uine joy broke in ripples over his counte
nance. Cash was strictly in it, and the
“boys” in the audience were with him
tooth and toe-nail. Realizing that Cash
would be guilty of perpetrating nothing
short of an oratorical gem The Leader
had a verbatim report of the speech made
and presentsit herewith:
I have not prepared a speech for this
evening and I hope all my colored lady
and gentlemen fnetfds will register to
morrow, for if vou do not register you
cannot vote—see? As I said before, I
have prepared a speech for this evening,
but hoping you will all remember that if
you do not vote you cannot register. 1
will now decline in favor of Brother J. W.
