New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-07
THE MEETING.


last night. At one side Of the plaza. opposite the
Evertt House. there had been erected during the
day small wooden platform. Around this
white structure there began gather early p.
representatives Of all classes OF society-mechanics
clerks, cartmen, merchants, etc. The workiBgman"
usually meant when the wrongs Of the workngmen
diated upon by laborreformerstha is the grades Of
laborers receiving the lowest wages-did
form the main proportion Of the throng, as was
perhaps expected By o'clock the entire surface OF
the plaza between Fourth-ave and Broadway was hed
with impatiently waiting the arrival Of Kearney.
Two calcium lights, placed at opposite angles. illumF
mated the entire plaza above the speakers platform
blazed another which brought into clear relief ITS
pants-members OF the BlainCOnnoY wing OF the Ma
tional party, and the reporters.
Looking over the multitude hemmed around the plat
FORM saw in the UnOn-square Park large number
OF policemen-250 In al-under command of Inspector
Murray. Policemen also grouped about the plat
form, aud were scattered through the crowd While
waiting the crowd was entertained with the cries OF
several newsbOys hawking Kearney's speeches price
L cent" Pamphlets also distributed giving
the places OF meeting Of the SOcalistc Labor party.
That the Socialists were present large numbers
evident afterward from their demonstrations while
Kearney speaking and the blonde head of one Of
their leaders-Justus Scwab-peered from the
closely wedged mass Of humanity in front Of the plat
form
Kearney came upon the platform promptly at
O'clock the hour named for the meeting accompanied
| by his brother and his secretary. There then
present, 10 is estimated 5000 persons He black
felt hat. which closely pulled down over his
forehead that he was not at first recognized.
| But friends pushed him forward 10 the front OF
the platform, few persons standing just in front Of
1t recognized him and cheered and great shout OF well
come went up from the multitude. small boy at the
same time handed Kearney basked heaped with roses
and lilies, the agtatOr bowed his thanks and three
cheers were given in the Caiforniau's honor without
/ rnGh fa
hastily, and dlsdaining a chair which offered,
! leaped upon a railing which enclosed the plat
form. The railing broad enough for him to
stand erectly and with upon It. Thus elevated
above all others upon the PLATFORM and his figure stand
ing clearly before the crowd in the glare Of the cal
cium light, he began his speech He seen 10 be
man OF medium size with broad shoulders and large
chest His face that OF young Irishman small
mustache shading large mouth, and the hair being
j brushed back iercey from of the forehead He
dressed in blue flannel suit, OF which the waistcOat
was unbuttoued; and hanging down the front OF q
checked shirt long sken tie which it was soon
| found necessary dramatically loosen. After
speaking only few moments DerspiratiOn began to
gsen his face and before the close OF the meeting
his skin was Of deeply red color and he looked like
man that had taken most violent physical exercise
He began his speech with the words said with the ut
most power of his lungs, but slowly Fellow citizens
and women" There pausng he turned his back 10 the
crowd asked that the platform be cleared OF every
one but reporters This request not COMPLIED with.
turning again thecrowd he nominated for chair
man Patrick Ford, and said that no one
! should be elected chairman who was not hon
| est A man in the crowd said How do we
knew that Ford is honest" Ford elected by
show OF hands, but when called for by Keaey did not
answer. Kearney then said: Il nominate George
Blair the position" Justus schwab waved his hand
excitedly the chairman and said He betrayed us in
IA" A large number Of persons in the crowd echoed
! schwabs assertion, while Kearney putting the
motion whether Blair should should not b, chairman
Kearney declaring that the show OF hands Indicated the
election of Blair, schwab called out He Is traitor
Kearney pointing at Schwab said treatenDgy: "YOuwul
be put in prison." schwab's face flushed and he ercey
replied: You threaten me with prison so you talk
prison too do your Kearney answered: You VIII
have submit to the will Of the majority" Kearney
then put the again. There was great show
OF hands against Blair, but be declared elected Az
Blair mounted the railing he sOundy bissed. He
repudiated the charge OF being traitor and then made
a short speech OF the usual labor reform pattern.
Short as it was crowd began TO shout for Keaney.
That orator agai leaped upon the railing and began his
speech in earnest AltOgether-for he made two dis
tlnct speecheshe spoke hour and three-quarters.
He spoke slowly and with sufficient strength OF voice
to be heacd by nearly all IN the assem-
blage, taking pains to turn his face from
side 10 side OF the plaza while speaking,
aud thus holding the attention OF all parts Of tho
crowd He was listened patiently throughout his first
speech Whenever he saw attention Tagging be would
inject into his discourse such expression leech
erous bOnOhOders ekspttes OF politicians" and
thus reganed the attention OF the crowd He criticised
the Democratic Republican parties impartiay butt
was noticeable that applause bestowed upon
denunciation of Republicans than Democrats proving
that the Of the multitude composed OF Demo-
Gratis
In the fore part his speech he denounced John Kelly
and Tammany Hall, and advised the present TO
vote the Greenback Labor party's ticket this Fall No
had this advice been given than there was great
agitation the crowd and called out Three
cheers John Kelly" Persons In the crowd pressed
restlessy about there were shouts and muurs and 1t
was obvious that there dscOrdant elements
in the gathering Kearney, after waiting impatiently
for several moments for the noise 70 cease,
said: Tammany Hall shall not prevent my
speaking Il 1 have TO stay here all nghtP
Applause and few groans followed this announcement,
and again Three cheers for John Kelly was heard
coming from the crowd. Kearney waited until It was
silent and then screamed You have an opportunity
TO put that man in the background next Eau,
and I hope you will do it," Later In hls
speech he returned to the subject in this way:
- All these who will vote the Labor partys
ticket this Fall hold up your hands" There
was great show Of hands at this The witnesses who
appeared before Mr.. Hewitts Labor Committee were
declared TO be crackbraned idiots; but three groans
for Mr. Hewitt demanded and given at the request
OF the speaker The Columbia College Crew was sneered
at AMI 1t declared that the Republic could not DC
defended by " cOlege-bred cOnsumptives."
The speaker then raised great applause by saying:
The honest workingmeD viii run this country II they
have TO walk through blood up to their knees and die
in the pool" The place for holding the meeting was
praised and Providence declared TO have favored
the meeting with q favorable night for holding
Il in the open air. In fact" said Kearpey, God
has followed me all the country" Three cheers
were given for Butler at the speakers request refer
ence perhaps to premedated attack upon the Chinese
was made in this sentences There may be trouble In
California soon and Of you ma be sent there In