Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-10-06

distinguished. When the cheering had
subsidized he took seat, whereupon a
perfect hurricane Of enthusiasm broke
out again, which compliment the
Senator acknowledged by arising and
bowling repeatedly as before.
LETTER FROM GEN. GRANT.
A letter was then read from Gen.
Grant, addressed to Gen. Chester A.
Arthur, expressing his regret that he
could not he present on this occasion,
and the hope that the meeting would
be successful one, and saying that he
intended to do all in his power for the
success CT the ticket, and that he in
tended to cast his vote for Garfield and
Arthur. This letter, which was a very
brief one, was greeted with loud cheers.
When quiet had been restored Mr..
Hamilton Fish, the President of the
evening, arose and made few remarks
introducing Senator Conkling, who at
once began the delivery of the remark
able address which is given in full below.
He was frequently and rapturously
cheered. He had been speaking per-
haps twenty minutes when
THE VENERABLE THURLOW WEED,
who has been feeble and sick for the
past month, and scarcely expected to
survive his illness, hobbled upon the
platform leaning upon the arms of two
friends, one on either side of him. The
audience broke into tremendous cheers.
Senator Conkling paused and shook
hands with the old politician, and then
continued his remarks.
The platform was filed during the
evening with representative men who
have distinguished themselves in the
Republican ranks. Among these were
Gov. A. B. Cornell, Gen. Chester A.
Arthur, the Hon. Edward Pierrepont,
Gen. Judson Fitzpatrick, the Rev. DR..
J. B. Newman, the Rev. Robert Collyer,
the Hon. Marshall Jewell, and long
array of others equally distinguished
in politics, theology, and literature.
| During the evening a magnificent
torchlight procession of Boys in Blue
under the command of Maj. Gen. Carr
paraded the streets. There were not
less than 10000 torches in line.
In every point of view the demon
stration in honor of Senator Conkling
and the principles and the party he
represents has been a remarkable and
gratifying success.
ADDRr SIS.
FELLOW CITIz Ms: Whoever is given greet
ing and audience in such presence, ought
indeed to have something worthy - some
thing fit and wise to say. Inadequate in
all, save only grateful and respectful apLre-
citation must be my return. We are citizens
of q republic We govern ourselves. Here
no pomp of eager array In chambers of
royalty awaits the birth Of boy or girl to
WELD an hereditary scepter whenever death
or revolution pOurs on the oil of coron-
tvs constitutional will. To WELD thai
scepter in equal share is the duty and the
right, nay the birthright, of every citizen.
The supreme, the final, the only peaceful ar
bitter here is the ballot-box; and in that urn
should be gathered, and from it should be sa-
credly recorded the conscience, the judgment,
the intelligence of all. Applause.l The right of
free self-government has been in all ages the
bright dream of oppressed humanity-the
privilege TO which thrones, dynasties and sighed
for power have SO long blocked the way. France
seeks it by forced marches and daring strides.
MIR. Forster, secretary for Ireland, tells the
peerage OF England it must take heed lest it
fall !; and Westminster and England ring with
dread echoes Of applause. But in the fullness
of freedom the republic of America is alone in
the earth; alone in its grandeur; alone IN its
blessings; alone in its promises and possibli-
ties, and therefore alone in the devotion due
from its citizens Applause The time has
come when law, duCy aud interest require the
nation to determine for at least four years its
policy in many things.
Two parties exist; parties should always ex-
ist in a government of msjorities. and to sup
port and strengthen the party which most
nearly holds his views is among the most
| fn5- doh o.a&-
citizen; and this whether he be in official or in
private station. Two parties contend for the
management Of national affairs. One or the
other of these two contestants is sure to man
age the nations concerns for some time to
come. The question is, which Of the two is it
safer and wiser to trust. It is not question
OF candidates. A candidate, il he be an hon
est genuine man, will not seek and accept a
party nomination to the presidency, vice presi-
dency or congress, and after he is elected be-
come a law unto himself. Few things are
more despicable than first to secure elevation
at the hands of party and then, in the hope
OF winning pretentious non-partisan applause,
to affect superior sanctity, and neanly to i'm
ply that those whose support and confidence
were eagerly and deferentially sought are
wanting in purity, patriotism, or some other
title to respect. [Applause.]
The higher obligations among men are not
set down in writing and signed and sealed
they reside in honor and good faith. The
fidelity Of nominee belongs to this exalted
class, and therefore candidate of q party is
but the exponent of party. The object of
political discussion and action is to settle prin-
ciples, policies and issues. It is paltry Incl
dent of an election affecting fifty million
people that it decides for an occasion the
aspirations Of individual men. The Demo-
cratic party is the Democratic candidate, and
l am against the ticket and all its works
THE GENERAL ISSUE SECTIONAL ONE.
The general issue confronting us is in itself
and in its bearings sectional. I would, and
you would it were not 50, but it is So If in
one portion of the country one party outnum-
bers the other even by overwhelming odds, the
fact need not be blamable, nor proof of Sec
tional aggression. But if in any section
party gains and keeps control, not by num-
bers, not by honesty and law, and then,
stiff ing free discussion and action, attempts to
grasp the government of the whole country,
the proceeding is sectional, guilty and mon
strous. In twelve states Of the Union the
approaching election is to be no more than
farce, unless, as has sometimes happened it
be turned into a tragedy. There is to be no
froe dabato No anuo1 riohtc no fv,1o ox,opao