The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-04-01
HONEST JOHN SHERMAN.
His Ovation at Mansfield, Ohio.
Great Crowds Greet the Great Secretary
His Fences are all 10 Good Repair
Come Home lust Because He
Wanted to-A Sort of.a
Key Note Speech.

Il =
he was called out and his few remarks
without political significance, cheered +
the echo. He was everywhere along tn
route greeted with evidences Of the warm
est appreciation. He arrived here at 4:4I
Pm. Avast crowd OF both sexes and al
ages and conditions met him at the station
A band Of music struck up, "Hail L
the Chief" as he alighted from the train
and as he approached the main front O.
the station, chorus Of hundred voices
male and female, comprising q musical
convention now in session in the
city, sang two stanzas Of Gamer
lea" with great effect, the Secretary
standing with uncovered head.
The Secretary then passed through the
throng warmly greeted on every hand by
old friends and neighbors, and entered
an open carriage with the Reception Com.
mittee, and proceeded to the Wiler House,
accompanied by the vast throng of citi.
zens, the Sherman Club and the mem
bers Of the Musical Convention, the
streets on the line Of march being plenti-
fully decorated with bunting.
After arriving at the hotel the street in
the vicinity was literally packed with hu-
man beings until the Secretary came for
ward TO the balcony for few minutes,
and the President OF the Club, 81. @.
Hedges, Esq, excused his making any
remarks until evening, when the crowd
slowly dispersed. The Secretary remained
in the parlors for hall an hour receiving
visitors.
At7:3o P. N. Millers Hall was densely
crowded. The appearance Of the Secre-
tary was the signal for an outburst OF ap-
plause, which was long continued. Il. O.
Hedges, Esq, introduced him in neat
and appropriate speech. The Secretary
then spoke as follows:
FELLOW CITIZENS AND FELLow Towns.
MEN:
Inoticed in coming that some Of the
papers are discussing why came to Mans.
field. When year ago I visited you
innocently said l came to repair my
fences. This was the simple truth. But
thanks TO my very good friend here before
me, Mr.. Knight, my fences are now
in very good repair. Considering that l
have had my home among you, man and
boy, for forty years, and have lived in
peace and contentment with you, can
hardly give any better reason for coming
here than that / wanted to.
II aann0f trOQf fauaalf t0 onaalS t,,t ~. n
Language my heart dictates, my thanks for
the kind manner in which you always re-
ceiye me on my return home. II / say
anything to you now in response TO the
declaration Of Mr.. Hedges, must refer to
personal politics, and this is always dan.
gerous experiment. What l say TO you
will be read by many who do not sympa.
thize with you In your generous partiality,
but 1t Is due TO them as well as you that
what say shall be frank, manly and
truthful.
BY the course OF recent events and not
by any self-seeking, my name Is mention
ed among those from whom the Republi-
can party will select one 10 carry its ban.
ner In the approaching Presidential con-
test. 1t is not egotism TO state this fact,
anu ~ uut bbI1hh
scouting and criticism which such a choice
necessarily invites and proyokes. ac-
cepted the position without the pretense
OF mock modesty, because l did not think
1t right to allow friends to put themselves
10 trouble on my account without frank
ayowal that was willing to accept with.
out delaying until certain OF success Zap.
plause1, but with firm determination not
TO detract from the merits or services Of
others, nor to seek this lofty elevation by
dishonorable means, or lying evasions or
pretences. Applause. In this way and
in this way only, am candidate but
with great doubt whether, il nominated, !
would meet the expectations OF friends,
and resolved in case Failure, I will abide
cheerfully by the choice OF the. conyen,
ton. [Applause,1 There is one condition,
scarcely necessary TO state, on which my
candidacy depends, and that is, II the
representatives Of Ohio do not fairly and
fully, in their convention, express pref
erence for me and support itwith substan
tial unanimity in the National Conven
ton, my name will not be presented r.
thai convention with my consent. Zap
plause.
This, iellow.citizens, Is about oil, and L
perhaps more than ought 10 say abou
personal matters, for in the great contes
In which we are about TO engage the hope
and ambitions and even lives oEmen ar
| OF but little account compared will
the great issues involved. Wher
American politics are so tranquil that {
mere choice OF men and not great princi
pies is the bone OF contention between
the parties, then 1t is matter OF compare
tive indifference who Is nominated, bu
the contest this fall between the Re
publican and Democratic parties viii
present for decision questions OF th,
prayest importance, and the candi
dates chosen for the Republican part,
must be those who will not only tairl!
represent our side'of these great Issues
but who will probably be most certain o
election. The Republican party Is the part,
OF principle, and the Democratic party |
the party OF opposition. The Republical
party wins only upon Its bold leadershi
on questions ofpublic policy. It propose
now TO maintain the policy oi oiresumptiol
which has been successfully execute
thus far, but must be supported hereafte
by the friendly action OF the Government
Il proposes TO maintain and enforce th
constitutional amendments with all th
powers Of the government TO the end thi
every man, poor or rich, white or blacl
may be secure In the full enjoyment {
civil and political rights. [Applause.1
proposes 10 foster and extend the systel
Of free, common, public schools, both b
the State and National governments, to Il
end that every child Of the proper al
may receive instruction in primai
branches OF education and thus give to Il
poor as well as the rich, fair chance !
Life, so that the opportunities may not |
confined to any favored or fortuna
class. Enthusiastic applause.
call your attention now TO the view
! expressed In my speech here on the III
Of August, 1877, upon the policy Of the a
ninistration In respect TO resumption On
reiunding. Mr.. Sherman here read e
tracts from printed copy Of the speet
referred to. Every promise and prophei