The Portland daily press., 1876-08-22
Senator Booth.
senator booth of California Makes A
Short Speech in Indiana---A Few Hard
knocks at Democracy. HI

Gen. Harrison. the Republican candidate for
Governor, made speech at Danville, Ind,
Friday to an immense audience When he
had concluded, somebody saw Senator Booth,
OF California modestly sitting in corner, and
called for him. Instantly the call was repeated
by thousands of voices. Senator Booth had
not intended to make any public utterance for
several days yet, but they closed around him,
cheering Justify, and actually pushing him upon
the platform. Mr.. Booth was carried away by
the enthusiasm of the moment. Those nearest
him saw that he was greatly affected and, for
an instant when be began, but only for an in
slant. Then in clear ringing accents he made
this remarkable speech: s.
'It would hardly be worth while to come so
far to say so little; but this call of yours
thrills my heart as it has not before been
thrilled for years, for to-day 1 stand for the
nrst time IN my native STATE to speak to my
felIow-citlzens upon a political question.
can only congratulate you upon this auspic-
ious occasion. L can only congratulate the
Republicans OF Indiana that they have leader
10 this canvass who bears historic name, to
which he adds lustre by his abilities and patri
otism. can only rejoice with YOU that the
hrst Governor of the Territory of Indiana will
give US Governor in the Centennial year. l
do not deny that as far as L am personally
concerned, L recognize that there are great
political questions bearing upon US in the near
future that are not touched upon by the d-
visions between the Republican and Democrouic
parties-great Questions of finance, great ques-
tons OF fiscal policy, methods of reform and ad-
ministration. Bot when l find the Democra lic
party as compacted mass cherishing its old
traditions, animated by its old ideas, all other
questions in my mind are subordinated to its
defeat and destruction. 1 know not what
others may think, but as for me can see nn
road to progress that does not lead over its
ruins. For fifteen years it has stood in the
pathway of our advance; for fifteen years it
has resisted every great political idea; for
hfteeu years it has eHdeavOred to suppress
every grand political utterance, and the time
has come-yes, the fullness of the time-when
not deny that the Republican Party has made
mistakes. do not deny that it has corrupt
men sometimes for its agents. But look at the
past behind us. Think of the great questions
1t has confronted. Think of the hundreds of
thousands, and the hundred of thousands on
that. that it has employed, think of the fiji
culties it has passed through, the work is
has accomplished, and it seems to me
miraculous that its mistakes have not been
more and greater They have been but at
the onds OF the river that do but defect its
channel as it rushes to the sea, There is this
to Ea said of it,: That it made the country's
extremity l+s divine opportunity, that when the
catastrophe came over us that good men all
over tne Worlu supposed would destroy Us, it
snatched victory even from the jaws of defeat,
and made the event that was TO blot us ont
| from among the nations the opportunity to fiji
upon our policy the seal of universal freedom,
and make it the guarantee of indissoluble
union"
To say that this speech, which hardly occu-
pied five minutes in the delivery, produced
great effect is not to describe the scene. There
was roar after roar of applause, and if Senator
Booth had not escaped by side door, he would
| have been carried on the shoulders of the null
titude to the station. With this incident of
great significance and with promise from
Senator Booth that he will make several
speeches in the state before going home, Gen
Harrison began his canvass.