, 1880-10-23
Judge Burke's Speech.

On Wednesday afternoon Judge Thomas
H. Burke, of Seattle, democratic candi
date for the important office of delegate
to congress, addressed his constituents at
the City Hall Large as is the hall it was
none too large to hold the large concourse
of citizens who focked in there to listen
to one, of whose eloquence they had heard
so much. Whatever may have been their
expectations they were not disappointed.
The Judge commenced his speech by TAX
ing up the different political issues Of the
day, and more especially did he devote
himself to sectionslism, and when he told
his hearers that the republicans were try
ing to make the people believe that the de-
mocracy of the country were traitors, he
told them if that was the case, then 250,-
600 more than one-half of the people of
the United States were traitors also. This
brought down the house with enthusiastic
applause, which plainly showed that the
audience, composed principally Of demo
Gratis, considered themselves as good Union
men as the most radical of their oppon-
ents. Aud then Mr. Burke took up the
question of the duties of delegate; those
who came to hear, expecting him to abuse
the present delegate were disappointed,
for all his illusions were couched in the
most gentlemanly language, but had the
more effect upon his audience for that
reason.
He alluded with scathing contempt to
those who were so bound by party ties
that they did not dare to vote as their
consciences dictated. This was also met
with applause from the whole congrega-
ton. One noticeable feature in Mr..
Burke's harangue was the utter absence
Of expectation of applause instead of,
when making point, As Is usually the
case, speakers wait for an expression of
concurrence, he went on with his speech,
and when appauded he lifts his hand as
II In q depreeatory manner.
He spoke of Washington Territory as
being c, ns:dered as mere geographical
expression by the people of the United
States, and dwelt at considerable length
upon the ignorance Of Eastern men Oh
the enormous resources our Territory CON
tsins. His speech throughout was replete
with knowledge upon every subject. The
finest thoughts, clothed in the purest
English flowed from his lips without the
least hesitation; never once did he pause
to reflect or pick up q missing word or
idea, but vent on with grace and ease
that showed him to be possessed not only
Of thorough knowledge of men and the
duties which are expected of him, but also
Of being student Of history, and the gen.
eral opinion of those who heard him, was
simply that he would reflect high honor
upon our Territory in the halls of the
nation.
He believes inrailroads, and prophesied
that before long Eastern and Western
Washington would be united with the
iron arms and all sectional feeling would
vanish when mutual interest and progress
became manifest Never was . more
manly and independent speech made be-
fore an audience. His heare, were salts
6rd, for it showed them that the charge
made against him that q sacri6ce Of
principles would b made in voting for
either candidate by men Of the opposite
party, u one that is without foundation,
because the party gives no Voice in Con-
gress through the Delegate Unlike
Brents he will not go to Congress with
the insane idea that he is the representa-
tive of the republican party and by his
past and present action IN raising section
n issues, ALLEVIATE those y no would naiur-
ally be willing to assis. him in his efforts
in behalf Of his Territory