The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-04-14
sERENADE TO SENATOR spRAeUE
Complimentary Address Of Mr.. A. T. Cavis
Another Characteristic speech from
Senator sprague.

In accordance with arrangements perfected
the workingmen Of the District assembled In
mass meeting at the City Hall last night,
and after listening to addresses from several
speakers, the assemblage proceeded to the
residence Of Senator Sprague, corner Of Sixth
and Z streets, and rendered him the compli-
ment Of a serenade.
At the City Hall, quite large number Of
worklngmen had assembled as early rs Z
O'Clock. James NJ. Dalton, esq, called the
meeting to order, and on his motion, Mr.. A.
T.Cayis took the chair, who, upon assuming
the duties OF his position, said they had met
for the purpose Of endorsing the bold steps
taken by the bold young Senator from Rhode
Island. lie spoke Of the imprudence Of the
banking question, and Of the serious results
that would follow the rainOus policy which
Senator Sprague was combating. The OBJ
ject of the meeting was TO complete their
arrangements before scrcnadlng Senator
spraguc for his bold position in behalf of
labor interests.
Mr.. J. NJ. Dalton was elected secretary,
and In accepting the position alluded to the
Identity Of not only the interests Of the
laborer and capitalist, but also of labor and
capital.
John Mcguire, esq, of st. Louis, o mem
Der of the Labor Union of 81. Louis, was the
next speaker. His remarks were mainly in
regard to the finances of the country and the
effect Of the present system upon the work
ing classes. He recommended the payment
Of our national debt In lawful money, and
argued as to what constituted lawful cur
rency, claiming that nickel and copper and
paper were lawful money. lie spoke of Sem
ator Sprague's system of finances, and hoped
il would be adopted and advocated by the
laboring classes.
The next speaker WIS j. W. Browning,
secretary to the National Labor Union Of
New York city. He regretted to have heard
that the workingmen of the District were
not alive to the great work which was before
them. There was too much lukewarmness,
especially in this city. The speaker urged
upon the labOring men of the District the
propriety and necessity Of organization. He
advocated the eight-hour movement, and
urged the attention of the worklngmen Of
the country to the question.
Let worklngmen throw of party ties, and
support those who come out boldly for their
interests, as has been done by the Senator
from Rhode Island.
The last speaker introduced was Mr.. W.
Laughlin, OF Kansas. lie Is In Washington
as a delegate from the settlers on Cherokee
neutral lands, and, alluding to this fact, he
thought his position before q Washington
u
one.
lie thought tho workingmcu were now
laboring for everybody but themselves, while
their efforts should be directed to the promo
ton of their personal interests. He spoke
OF the independence of the agricultural
classes, and the opportunities afforded to all
who would become permanent settlers In the
great West. He spoke also of the land ques-
ton, and said that the Pacific railroad had
''gobbled" up as much land as would make
in area three or four States like Virginia.
The railroad rings were securing enormous
tracts Of lands, and arc now endeavor-
ing to mOnOpollzc the lands in Western Ter
ritories. lie spoke Of the Usage treaty which
was defeated. and said that u Senator who
knew something of their rascality had not
hesitatcd to communicate to him facts reln-
tive to Its defeat That Senator was called
crazy and drunk and he was In favor Of
hoodlng the Senate with that kind Of whisky
which Intoxicated Senator spraguc when he
made his noble efforts in behalf of the work
ingmcn of the country.
At the conclusion Of the address of Mr.
L.aughlin, procession was formed, and,
headed by Heads American Brass Band
proceeded to the residence Of Senator
spraguc, where, after a number of airs had
been performed by the band, the Senator
made his appearance, and was met at the
front door by Mr.. Cavis, the chairman OF
lnc lhttllnB. VINO tHUS addressed him
SPEECH OF MR.. CAvIs.
SENATOR SPRAGUEi As wOrkingmen we
make you the compliment of a screnadc
to mark our approval and admiration Of
the boldncss and honesty which dared in
trOduCc and urge to enactment a measure
Of finance designed TO relieve the people and
rescue them from the clutches of rapacious
banks and grasping money LENDERS. Your
bill Is Just one, and will operate the relief
HpgiUnph hon tnI lie. -
be lis practical results that men will wonder
II was not sooner introduced, and the popu-
lar clamor will besct Congress for extension
of the principle tothc utter demolition of the
present pernicious banking system, which is
sapping industry and absorbing capital into
the hands of the few. The policy of Con-
gress In fostering into existence the present
banking system may have been wise in in
ceptiol and would, perhaps, have been pro.
ductlve of less harm If restrained within the
Just bounds prescribed to IL; but money Is a
despOt, aud attracts power with volume, and
Is destitute of morality.
That system In plenitude of proportion at.
tempts dictatlon to Congress, and should be
superseded. The enormous profits of this
banking system diyerts capital from trade
and national development, and will ultl.
mately work disaster to all industry. As
the wealth of the lenders increases so will
the necessities OF the borrowers, and these
will be met with more vigorous eXactions;
limited discounts and shortened time will
reduce all operations under control ofbanks,
and make them masters of enterprise. and
the recipients of It's rewards. If the present
system continues, repeal Of the usury laws
is ominously foreshadowed as another lever
in the hands of money 10 crush the people.
To this accession of power add resunptlon
with Government discrimination against
paper in exacting duties on imports in gold,
and the machinery will be complete to
enslaNe industry and destroy enterprise.
Yourprescience has apprehended the results
sure to be developed by present measures,
and you have proposed relief. The people
rejoice In the hope Of delivcrance. Banks
and money lenders are alarmed they per-
ceiye penetration Of their occult science, and
dread TO unclose bank parIors to the glare of
day, lest the people Will no longer tolerate
their robbery.
fierce anger Of Mammon, Senators, Repre-
sentatlves and a subsidized press
Tray. Blanche and sweell lart.
BEE they all bark at you. -
Your craftsmanship Is assalled, your mo-
uAtCd,
Be not dismayed! You have the argu-
mentsi you are supported by facts your Just
views must prevail In time, Obiectora can.
not rise above their intelligence, their preIu-
dices or their Interests, Truth fights its
way-error conquers without effort. Your
bill and your Illustrations have been passed
upon by the three classes specified and have
met condemnation. II Is always thus with
rciormcrs. In the prospect of ultimate trl-
umph you can afford to bear obloquy.
Truth crushed to earth will rise again,
The eternal years Of God are hers
while error, wounded, writhes In pain,
And dies amid her worshippers.h
To this address the Senator responded as
iollowe
SPEECH OF sFNATOR sPRAuUB.
AS representative portion Of the people
OF the United States address you. You are
here tonight to show to me and 10 the world
your Interest in and approval Of the words
have recently uttered la tho senate. brliey.
Ing that those words have given truthful
sketch Of the present condition of our affairs;
and because, also, some light has been
thrown through the surrounding darkness
Into the clear sky beyond.
The Senate have spoken through It's pre.
siding officer, and by his answer has sub.
stantially admitted all l have said and