The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-07-03
MASS MEETING.
THE REPUBLICAN RATIFICATION
Eloquent Speeches Progress of Recon-
citation within the Party.

The Republican State ratification meet
ing, held at Concorlia Hall, in the city
of Baltimore, on Wednesday evening,
was one of the largest and most enthusi
astic political assemblages ever held in
that city. 1t was not an audience COM
posed of the hangcrs-on of party leaders
and the heterogeneous class which COM
pose SO conspicuous an element of Demo-
cratic voters in that city, but one of
intelligent and respectable citizens drawn
together by a desire to attest their recog-
milton of the high character of the men
whom the Republican party has presented
for their sutfrages. Rarely, if ever, has
a more enthusiastic audience assembled
in Concordia Hall. The mention Of the
names of prominent national leadrs ex-
cited the most vociferous applause, while
the names of Garfield and Arthur pro-
voked long continued and deafening
cheers. We congratulate the Republi-
cans of Maryland upon this auspiscious
opening of the campaign.
The Hon. Henry Stockbridge, chair
main of the Republican State Central
Committee, presided. On his right sat
the Hon. John l.. Thomas and the Hon.
Jno A. J. Creswell; on his left were Geo.
c. Maund, Esq, and J. Emory Weather
by, Esq. A number of the leading Re-
publicans of the city and State were on
the platform, among them being Hon.
Washington Booth, Irving c. Dirty, Esq,
Hon. H. Clay NALL and j. B. Askew,
Esq. The Fort McIIenry band occupied
the orchestra and varied the exercises
with patriotic airs.
If the Republican party in Maryland
is not as large as it ought to be, it GER
tainly is not deficient in good speakers,
and some of the best were ON hand on
this occasion. There is no more eloquent
| platform orator i'll Maryland than Hon.
J. Morrison Harris, and although he is
just convalescing from a severe illness,
he made q most effective address, and
wrought up the audience to the highest
pitch of enthusiasm. Mr. Creswell is
also a most effective speaker, and there
is something in his manner and address
which gives the impression of a tremend-
Gus reserve force which could be called
into play if the occasion demanded it.
His illusions to Gen. Grant called forth
| great applause.
The organization of the meeting was
effected by electing Mr.. Stockbrdge as
president, and the naming of Il long list
of vice presidents.
Mr.. Stockbridge then read letters of
regret at the unavoidable absence of the
Hon. Milton G. Urner, Frederick Stone,
Charles Gilpin, Henry w. Hoffman, John
E. Smith, j. Parran Crane and Edwin
III. Webster, after which the first speaker
of the evening,
HON. j. MORRISON HARRIS
was introduced by the chairman. Mr.. Har-
riS said that, although the meeting he had
the pleasure of appearing before was not
quite as large as the one he had attended at
| Chicago he was nevertheless gratifed to
see enthusiastic gathering to ratify one
of the best, and he hoped, the most success
! full nominations of the Republican party.
| The gentlemen sent to Chicago went there
as IL unit, first, last, and all the time to
nominate a man to carry the Republican
flag to victory. That they differed in their
| opinions as to who was the best man for
| that purpose was true, but their difference
was an honest, conscientious, and intell-
| gent difference of judgment. Some thought
| the great statesman of Maine, whose won
derful achievements had made his name as
familiar as a household word, was the proper
man. Others favored the great captain of
the age, whose deeds are imperShably writ
| ten i'll the annals of the Union he had saved.
| Many looked toward the Ohio statesman
and tinancier, and he did all he could to
secure the nomination of that man. His
| friends We're disappointed, but they stand
tonight, and will stand, shoulder to should
er for the man they had nominated; and
though many thought there We're better
than he, they will prove that he is good
enough
From his start in life James 4. Garfield
to now, when lie is about to he elevated to
the highest place in the national govern
ment, has ever been an honest and patriotic
| citizen. He has been aSSaied, but he can
afford to he aSsailetl. His enemies have
| commenced to hurl the puny shafts of i'm
potent malice and hatred against him; but
he can stand it all. All honorable and high
toned Democrats nave come 10 his cOnclu-
sive defense. Speaking of him recalls Il
dramatic incident that happened during the
speech of that great leader of the Empire
State, Roscoe Conkling (great applause), a
man who had borne himself through all like
| Il warrior, and who brought out of the fight
all he took i'll with him. In nominating
General Grant he referred to caumnieS that
had been heaped upon him, and said
"Calumny has done its worse, but its shaft
lies broken at his feet
Speaking of General Hancock, Mr. IIar-
ris said: :" 1t does not become Il Republican
to say anght against Il man who fought upon
the right side. He is IL solder-a brilliant
Soldier-and when you have said that you
have said all. He is soldier, pure and
simple, but what the forty-ive millions OF
American people want is something more
and beyond Il mere soldier There is no
lack of soldiers should the exigency arise.
There is Sheridan who can both ride and
fight there is Sherman with his yet unfor-
| gotten march to the sea, and above all the
silent soldier who halls from AppomattoX.
The people want Il statesman
HON. j. A. j. CRESSwELL
was next introduced, and said when he
thought of where he was, he recognized the
fact that he was at home with his friends.
He had gone TO Chicago for Gen. Grant, be-
cause he thought him the best man to unity
the great party OF Il great country. He
stood for him TO the end. and was one of the
three hundred who voted Ihirty-Six times
without omission. He worked hard to Sc
cure his triumph, but when Garfield was
nominated, the :;06 Grant men became BOG
Garfield men. He knew and respected Gar.
field, not only Republican, but as a
man of learning and statesman. He re-
presents the genius of our institutions, for
he has risen from Il baretooted boy, running
along the canal PATH and we should glory
in that fact He first met Gen. Garfield on
the wharf at Che>tertown. Hehad asked for
| speakers to assist him in the canvass he
| was making i'll his district, and Henry VIM
ter Davis had sent Gen. Garfield. Even
then his carriage was impressive. When
he stepped upon the platform to speak a
| mob began to asSail him with rotten eggs
and apples, but he drew himself up to his
full height, which was truly that of Saul
and cried: % have just emerged from the
iron hail of Chicamagua. | have dared to
face the worst that courageous rebels in
arms can do, and can | now be frightened
by towards >" His manly bearing over
awed tine turbulent crowd, and he was
| heard with attention.
Gen. Hancock is a gentleman and brave
soldier. He would not detract one iota
| from his record and would not pluck orc
| leaf out of his laurels. When he surveyed
| him as Il soldier he saw him rs II Republi-
| Ia.