The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-10-28

and bowed several times slightly, and
with that studied grace for which he is
distinguished. When the cheering had
subsidized he took n 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 To present on this occasion,
and the hope that the meeting would
be successful one, and saying that he
intended to do MI in his power for the
success Of the ticket, and that he in
tended to cast his vote for Garfield and
Arthur. This letter, which was 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 Mt
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 filled during the
evening with representative men who
have distinguished themselves in the
Republican ranks. Among these We're
Gov. A. b. Cornell, Gen. Chester A.
Arthur, the Hon. Edward Pierrepont,
Gen. Judson Fitzpatrick, the Rev. DIR.
j. Ii. Newman, the Rev. Robert COllyer,
the Hon. Marshall Jewell, and long
array of others equally distinguished
in politics, theology, and literature.
During the evening magnificent
torchhght 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.
ADDRESS.
FELLOW CIrIz Ms: Whoever is given greet
ing and audience in sui u Presence, ought
indeed to have something wor by - sons
thing fit and wise TO say. Inadequate III
all, save only grateful ana respectful appre-
citation must DO my return. We are citizens
OF Il republic. We govern ourselves. Here
no pomp Of eager array il. 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-
alton. We know no s,epter save u plajorl'
tvs constitutional will. To wield that
sceptor in equal share is the duty and the
right, nay the birthrlght, Of every citizen.
The supreme, the final, the only peaceful ar
bitter here is the ballot-boX; aud IN that urn
should be gathered, and from II ,AIould be sa-
credly recorded the conscience, the Judgment,
the intelligence ofall. lAppause.l The right OF
free self-government has been III all ages tho
bright dream OF oppressed humanity-the
privilege to which thrones, dynasties and sighed
forpower have 40 long blocked the way. France
seeks 1t by forced marches and daring strides.
Mr.. Forster, secretary for Ireland, tells the
pGerage of England II must take heed lest il
fail and Westminster and FIR gland ring with
dread echoes OF applause. But in the fullness
OF freedom the republic OF America il alone in
| the earth; alone in its grandeur; alone in its
blessings; alone III it's promises and possible
! ties, and therefore alone III the devotion due
| from its citizens. lApplause.l Tho time has
come when law, duty aud interest require the
nation TO determine for at least four years its
policy III many things.
Two partie. exist; parties should always OK
] iat in la,,t Of inrittn md 4
port aud strengthen the party which most
nearly holds his views IL among the most
laudable. meritorious acts or an American
citizen; and this whether he be in official or in
private station. Two parties contend for the
management of national affairs. One o. tho
other Of these two contestants is sure to NAH
age the nations concerns for some time TO
come. The question il, which Of the two is it
safer and wiser to trust. IL is not q question
OF candidates. A candidate, il no be an non
est, genuine man, will not seek and accept u
party domination TO the presidency, vice pres-
dency or Congress-, and after he is elected be-
come Il law unto himself. Few things are
more desricable than first to secure elevation
at the hands Of party and then, In the hope
OF winning pretentiOus nOn-partisan applause,
To affect superior ssnctty, and meanly to inn
ply that those whose support and confidence
were eagerly and defcrentially sought are
wanting IN purity, patriotism, or some other
title 10 re 'pect. Applause.
The higher Obligations among men are not
set down III writing and signed and sealed
they reside in honor aud good faith. The
fidelity Of nominee belongs to this exalted
class, and therefore candidate OF party il
but the exponent Of a party. The object Of
| political discussion and action H. to settle prin-
cipleS, poli.i and issues. IL il Il paltry Incl
deaf Of an election affecting fifty million
people that it decides for an occasion the
aspi ations Of individual men. The Demo-
cratic party is tho Democratic candidate and
! ! AIN against the ticket and all its works.
THE GENI.RAL ISSUE A SECTIONAL ONE.
The general Issue confronting lis is III itself
and IN its bearings sectional. | would, and
you would, il were not No, but it IL 10. II in
one portion Of the country one party outnum-
beers the other even hy overwhelming odds, the
fact need not be blamable, nor proof OF sec
tlonal aggression. Bat If in any section a
party gains and keeps control, not by num-
bers, not by honesty aud law, and then,
still w free discussion and action, attempts to
grasp the government Of tho whole country,
the proceeding IL sectional, guilty and mon
! strous. In twelve states OF the Union the
approaching election il to be no more than a
farce. unless, as has sometimes happened, 1t
| DO turned into tragedy. There in TO be no
free debate, no equal rights. no true express
sion in these states; and IN several states the
clear majority IL to have no deciding power
no' even n chance in u rattle such M That in
which lots were cast and tho booty divided be-
| tween rammany Hall and the upper air and
solar walk reform Democracy. Senator Hamp-
! ton largely promises forty thou aid Demo-
cratic ma prity in South Carolina, where the
actual majority il forty thousand the ether
way. In several Southern States there IL
large, well known, often asccrtained Republic
an ma Gritty, hut all Southern States alike,
| without exception or doubt, are relied upon To