The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-18
THE MEETING LAST NIGHT.
The Political Campaign Opening

Last evening there was gath cred at the hall
of the Manhattan Club, No. 46 Magazine
street, over Steve McNamara's, full dslega'
ton from the different wards Of the city to
listen to the grafton of the Hon. William
Rufus Crane on the political situation. Owing
to the restrictions as to attendance made by
the club only limited number were allowed
entrance to the hall, and many left without
hearing the speaker of the evening.
After well-timed and neat introduction
by the President of Senatorial affairs, Col.
Crane arose.
Prefacing his remarks by an apology fol
his lack Of preparation, owing to the remiss.
ness of those who had charge of the advertis-
ing of the call, he entered at once into the Sc
rious consideration of the subject. Starting
at the foundation of all governments, he
showed how they were divided into three
kinds-monarchical, aristocratic and demo
cratic. The Book of Judges and Kings, in
the Bible, gave US the first history of the
forms of rule during the earlier times, and
from them descendants copied.
Passing along and reviewing the Amphic-
tronic Council, he looked into the status Of
Rome, Sparta, Troy, and the constant strug-
giles between people in their thirst for lib.
erty, and showed how this fight had been
progressing down to the present. He then
examined lucidly into the condition of Eng
land under the Charleses and Jameses, Crom-
well and his followers.
Then the discovery of America was lucidly
touched upon, and its bearing on the poll
tics of the world. Tracing down, the orator
came to the Declaration of Independence,
and, as he put it, "the document which
branded in condemnation the opposition to
universal liberty and political regeneration. !"
He spoke in glowing terms of Thomas JEFF
ferson and Washington and was repeatedly
interrupted by round after round of hearty
applause
After critical examination of our system
of government, he came down to the present.
He tested in his crucible of logic the events
under the carpet-bag government. He grew
warm with his subject, and made some very
strong points in favor of change of pro
gramme and wiping out of the past, and a
new start for the future.
He spoke strongly against q protective
tariff, and said that if he should be the peo-
pies choice for Senator he should favor free
trade, except for sugar.
Several questions were presented to him
by members, ahd they were clearly and
tersely answered by Col. Crane. Much as he
had previously differed with those present in
politics, by the, speech last night it was evil
dent he would work with the party to secure
regeneration" tremendously.
The speech was characterized throughout
by great eruditicn and vigor. At times rising
with the inspiration of his theme he scared
off into the land of poesy, and again coming
down to the dry details, all which made the
Grafton most interesting to student of "gov-
ermentology."
There were number of former generals
present, together with three delegates from
the country. 1t was proposed and carried
shat general meeting would take place Sat-
urday evening at 1880 o'clock. at 46 Magazine
street. when Col. Crane proposes to again
address his constituents.