The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-09-19
DEMOCRATIC RALLY!
LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC MEET
ING IN CANTON.

LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC MEET
ING IN CANTON.
Speeches OF Senator Thurman and General Wiley
In the Opera House.
On Saturday evening at 7;l5 the Berlin
band placed themselves in the spacious
corridors of the Ogden House, and play
ed several fine selections in honor of the
distinguished guests whose names figure
at the head of this article, and who were
to speak in the Opera House that even.
ing, The Senator is a man of command
ing appearance, with long, white flowing
beard, large forehead, and attired in a
plain suit, at once modest and neat. He
was laborihg under the adverse influence
of a cold, contracted while on the road,
which at first somewhat interfered with
his voice. Gen. Aquila Wiley merits a
brief description. He is a plain, unas-
suming man, wears slouch hat, and
travels with an artificial leg, and in looks
and manners would much quicker be ta-
ken for plain, well.to-do farmer than a
lawyer or aspirant for Congressional
honors, A look into his clear, intelligent
kindly eyes, however, shows, even to
the casual observer, that brains, will, and
6rmness of purpose are dominant. At
7:40 the Opera House was packed to
overhowing with an intelligent audience,
among whom were a number of ladies.
A goodly number of Republicans were
also present. Owing to train Complica-
tions Mr., James Neal was unable to at
tend as advertised, as his numerous en-.
gagements forbade break. After music
by the band, at o'clock Mr.. William A.
Lynch called the meeting to order. and
introduced
SENATOR ALLEN G. THURMAN,
Who was received with hearty applause.
His remarks, which occupied an hour
and twenty minutes, we can only notice
briefly. He expressed pleasure at seeing
so large an assemblage. He Contrasted
the cost of carrying on the federal gov.
ernment under Democratic rule, prior to
the war, with the cost in time of peace,
under Republican rule, and excluding
the public debt and pensions, the latter
was two and half times larger. The
speaker gave figures to prove his state
ment. He spoke of Hayes's fraudulent
title to the Presidency, and said every
body knew he was counted in by fraud.
But the financial, or currency question
being the principal topic that occupies
and agitates the public mind, he pro.
ceeded to discuss it, and did 40 fully and
ably. The Republican party was in fa-
vor of abolishiDg the greenback curren.
Cy by borrowing money to redeem them,
thus increasing the interest bearing pub
lie debt. The Democrats, on the other
hand, favored the gradual abolishment
of National Banks and their currency,
and putting out greenbacks to take their
place. This is the direct issue. 1t is
not question of hard or soft money,
but simply a question as to the kind of
paper currency. AS this function belongs
to the government, he believed it safer
and better that no privileged class be es-
tablished, but that the government at
tend to this business itself. Andrew
jackson and others of his day consid-
cred United States Bank, with few
branches and but thirty.fve millions Of
capital, as dangerous to the liberties of
the country; but now, continuing the Ma.
tional Bank system, would perpetuate
the National debt, and we Democrats ia.
vored paying off the debt. We have
over two thousand National Banks, with
near five hundred million dollars Capi-
tall He would have the greenbaCk re.
Ceivable for all dues, public and private,
and hence it would be as good as gold
and anwser every purpose of money. He
reviewed, somewhat severely, Secretary
Sherman's position, and closed at $780,
o'clock amid loud applause. Senator
Thurman was several times heartily ap-
plauded.
GENERAL AQUILA WILEY,
Was then introduced, and in full, me.
lodious voice, spoke about the hard strug
Blcb VI Guo OOluOClaCy III yOalo 5OhO w
how they met with encouragement and
defeat on every side, but now the sky
was Frightening, and on the 4th of March
next the Democrats would have a ma.
iority in the U. s. Senate, and judging
from recent Eastern elections, the Dem.
ocrats will also be able to control the
legislative branch Of government, He
gave his views on the financial question,
similar to those in his speech which we
published in the DEMOCRAT last week.
He also gave his views on the Southern
claims question, that our radical oppo'
nents charge us with favoring the pay
ment Of. Gen. Wiley expressed himself
utterly hostile to the payment OF these
claims. He stated, too, an undeniable
fact, namely, that the Republican lead
ers, while in full power, paid over one
hundred millions of these claims. The
General had not the time to show the
speculation Republican ring jobbers had
in these claims.
Our meeting was necessarily postponed
from Friday to Saturday evening, owing
IN the terrihla storm washing off rail Wav