The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-11-02
WICHITA ON TEE GRAND RALLY DAY.
The Speeches Of Senator Harvey, Capt. Ryan
and Col. st. John.

! taken from the Commonwealth of last
Sunday:
WICHITA, HANS. Oct. 2S, 1876.
'Rse up Xarifa! lay the golden cushion
down;
Ris up, come 10 the window and gaze with all
the town.
| From gay guitar and violin the silver notes
| are flowing,
| And the lovely flute doth speak between the
trumpet's blowing;
| And banners bright from lattice hight are
waving everywhere,
And the tall plume of our cousins Bridegroom
floats proudly in the air.
| Wichita, the queen city of the south
west, was never quite so lively as yes
terday, Friday), the occasion of the
grand Republican demonstration that
mas been in preparation for several
weeks, and which i'll extent and gener-
al magniiicence, exceeded the widest
| calculations of the most enthusiastic
Republicans. Long before noon Main
street was filled with the yoeman of
Sedgwick, Butler and Sumner coun-
ties, and all the hotels were so crowd
eel that the proprietors were Obliged
to open new registers for the reception
of Republican autographs. Whole
families OF excited residents of Wich-
ita arose at four O'Clock in the morn
| ing in order to enjoy to the fullest ex-
tent the festivities of the day. Every
eye flashed fire, aud everybody seemed
charged with patriotism from eye
brow to heel, Main street was long
pageant of wagons decorated with
| banners, wreathes aud arches. studded
with the choicest flowers that the city
gardens or the wild heather could pro-
duce. There were eaily bedecked
teams, prancing haugtily under tie
profusion OF national colors that adoru-
ed their giittering harness, their were
laughing consequential swain, who
separating themselves from the old
folks sought the privilege of riding
together i'll buggies streaming in red,
white and blue; there were wagon
loads of merry children, with badges
and ribbons plainly indicating their
political preference in short there
were all sorts of people, i'll every style
of equipage, but all posed of q com
mon desire to show their allegiance TO
the grand old Republican party and its
glorious principles. And they did
| it.
After an imposing parade, with all
the accompaniments of music, gun
powder, flags ETC., the crowd COM
menced pouring into the Eagle Hall,
which soon became such jam that
half of the people were unable to OBJ
tain seats, and hundreds could not OBJ
tain even find standing room.
Senator Harvey was first introduced
to the audience. He said it was his
first visit to this valley and its growth
and prosperity was a gigantic surprise
party to him. He thought such i'm
provements were impossible in any
new country but Kansas. After COM
plimentlng the people upon their pro-
gress aud apparent thrift, he invite d
their attention to the history of the
Democratic party and its present lead
ers, and cited the fact that their nomi-
nee this year for President was de-
nounced in open letter by their uoini-
nee four years ago. He proved all his
assertions by an array of figures and
| historical incidents which every lis
tener must have conceded were indis-
putable. Our own beloved State of
| Kansas, he said, now coming up
| through what she had suffered at tue
hands of the old Southern element of
Democracy, could not afford to strike
1 h1Huo ~ sOOH Witu Htt OfQ CEtlilF Iuu
deliver the country to her Keeping.
| He spoke all hour aud ten minutes in
forcible and convincing style, elictng
much applause.
Hon. Thomas Ryan followed, paving
his respects to the Cooper party, APP
pealing to the judgment and reason of
the loyal element of the Democratic
party, and warning all parties of the
danger which threatens the country in
the restoration of the Democratic par
ty to power. Warming up to his work
he took the thoughts suggested by
Governor Harvey, and grew more brill
| liant and earnest with each succeeding
moment, interspersing illustrations
and anecdotes with telling effect, and
with such force and persuasion as to
take the audience completely by storm.
He spoke an hour and fifteen minutes.
The last half hour was devoted to
Slippery Sam, whom he lacerated to
such an extent that old moss-backed
Bourbons fairly groaned with agony,
and Republicans manifested their ju-
bilance in prolonged cheers.
Hon. NJ. NJ. Murdoch presided at the
afternoon meeting, which was attended
chiefly by people from the country mot
more than hundred being present
from the city.
Many farmers remained. however,
for the night sessin, which was splen-
did affair. 1t was by far the largest
audience ever assembled in Wichita.
The speakers were Col. j. Z. st. John
and Judge Sears. both OF whom made
fine efforts going over every acre and
fence corner of the political field. This
city has been claimed by the Demo-
Gratis, who boast that Martin will car
~ il and that they will elect their can
didate for representative. But the eff
feet of Fridays demonstration has put
different face on things. Lukwarm
partisan have been aroused, the ardent
encouraged, and there is victory in the
air.
A few words in regard to Wichita in
non-political sense, may not be out
of place. 1t is wonderful city to be-
gin with, and displays more solid en-
terprise than all the balanance of Kan
sas combined. Its location places it
above rivalry in business point of
view. 1t is the shipping point for
Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley aud But
Ter counties, and the headquarters of
the "CattIe' trade. Its commercial IA
cilities are unsurpassed, and its study
growth is now fully assured. Magnif-
cent business business blocks are
growing up on nearly every street and
the resident portion of the city already
compares favorably with any of the
other cities of the state. Aud around
this business metropolis is a country
unsurpassed in lovliness, forming
picture such as painter never vet
transferred to canvas-Wichita is the
pearl of great price in the crown gems
of the Arkansas Valley.