The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-09
A RATIFICATION MEETING.
An Enthusiastic Endorsement of the
Nominees of the Chicago Convention.
Speeches by Senator Harrison, Governor POr-
ter and John B. Elam-An AuspiciOuS
opening Of the Campaign.

Nearly three thousand people, but few of
whom were not voters, united in an enthusiastic
mass meeting in front of the Herald Office
on Saturday evening. The purpose of
the meeting to give formal expression, on
the part of the Republicans of the city, to their
Endorsement of the action of the Chicago conven-
ton in nominating Blaine and Logan.
But brief preliminary notice had been
given Of the meeting, and that
only by few small posters and
buIlstined announcements at the newspaper of
fees but in spite of this fact the crowd was so
great that those on the outer edges found great
difficulty in understanding what the speakers
said. There was a number Of Democrats in at
tendance, who appeared somewhat dismayed at
the enthusiasm manifested. The meeting was
an suspicious opening of what promises to be
brilliant and aggressive campaign Mr.. Horace
Mckay acted as chairman in calling the meeting
TO order and introduced Senator Harrison, the
first speaker. for whom hearty cheers were given.
He spoke nearly an hour and was interrupted
scores of times by applause. He said in sub
stance
SENATOR HARRIsoN's ADDRESS
My Fellow citizens: You have started this
,aeeaing a little wrong end first but we will try
nd get it Strengthened before we get through.
Sslaine and Logan are the principal figures to-
night. | acknowledge your cheers but they had
better have come later on in the meeting We
are here tonight, my fellow citizens, in this
hasty and informal meeting, to express our
opinion that our delegates at Chicago made a
good ticket. We are here to ratify the nomina
ton which have been made for President and
Viee-pFesdent by the assembled delegates from
all the States of the Union at Chicago. We are
hare tn SAW hatayap FIRST choice have
been-that as Indiana Republicans, always true,
one and all tonight for James G. Blaine,
of Maine. and John A. Logan, of Illinois. | be-
lieve voice a sentiment which even the
mics of Mr.. Blaine concede when [ say that he
was the first choice of more Republicans in the
United States than any other man, and possibly
any other three men that were named.
Why is it that he has taken TINS great hold
upon the pcoplel Why is it that here in Indiana,
where. upon so many of our rostrums, his mag
Zeal voice has been heard in defense of Repub
iiean principles-why is it that in all the great
senters of Republican strength in this country,
or all those States where electoral votes are
given to ratify in November the choice of the
convention, that James G.. Blaine has such hold
upon the hearts of the people! Il is because he
has been the bold fearless and aggressive de-
fender and champion Of Republican principles
from the organization Of the party until now.
Some of our Democratic friends have ex
pressed the fear that we would be compelled to
make a defensive campaign with james u.
Rhine as candidate. My feIlow-citizens,
James G. Blaine and John A. Logan never
Fought less defensive fight in their lives. They
have always allowed the other fellows to do that
The Democrat who talks now about defensive
fight. when Blaine and Logan lead, will probably
be uttering that cry on the run, over his
shoulder, before the campaign is over He has
never crossed swords with an adversary that he
has not fought the fight out bravely to the end.
Not at-all. l am here to say that we shall open
this campaign by charge along the line upon
an adversary whose camp is already in mutiny.
Some timid people fear that Mr.. Blaine will
involve the country in war. Some overcautous
business affect to believe that the even cur
rent of their money getting will be disturbed by
the aggressive foreign policy which they suppose
he would inaugerate. My felow-citizens, no one
has ever accused Blaine of being fool He has
some ideas upon foreign affairs, and am glad of
T. they are rare. He had begun to organize
them into system when he laid down the port
folio of state. Now, what sort of foreign poll
cy did his dispatches foreshadow! One in
which this country shall play the bully! One in
which shall without cause, insult or deny
just rights to any foreign government Not at
al. Do we not all desire that we shall have a
manly foreign policy-one that shall not be
characterized by such timidity as not to lift a
manly protest when any wrong is done in any
foreign country to the humblestAmerican citizen.
What was it Mr. Blaine proposed to do? Briefly
and chiefly, he proposed to call congress for
consultation as to the mutual interests Of the
lions of the continent; meeting of our
sister republics, not for the pur
pose OIL dSSreSSlOn. fdr from IT.
1t was that we might exercise our friendly Offices
in the interests of peace and stable govern
ment among these people, where government
has been so unstable where the existing regimes
are SO frequently overturned as to bring pros
tration and desolation to all private enterprises
1t was that might extend kindly hand to
these people, to help them on to a higher civil
ization, and that we might in return enjoy some
of that great commerce which Great Britain
monopolizes to day. We are living near these
people; they are striving to initiate us in the eX
pertinent of free government, and yet we are
without access or influence. When a dis
tngaished citizen of this State was, by Pres
ident James Garfield, appointed charge daffaires
at Montevideo, in Uruguay, in order to get to his
post of duty. he had to take q British steamer
from New York to Liverpool, and another
British steamer from Liverpool to Montevideo.
Notwithstanding we are here on the same gen
eral coast, there was no direct communication
between this country and that 1t has been a
standing shame that our relations to these
South American governments have been such
That neither we nor they have enjoyed any of
the benefits of good neighborhood
Mr.. Blaine proposed to remedy this confessed
omission in our foreign policy. A congress of
these nations was the leading feature of his brief
administration of the State Department. There
was nothing to disturb business in that policy,
but much piomise of a new market for our
surplus. Nobody wants war-it is a last resort.
But every self-respecting American does believe
in maintaining the proper dignity, honor and in
1uence of this great nation. l am in favor of
putting upon the sea enough American ships,
armed with the most improved ordnance, to en-
force the just rights of our people against any
foreign aggressor. 1t is good thing in the in
terest of peace and commerce to show the flag
of our navy in the ports where the flag of com
meree is unfurled 1t opens the way to traffic
and gives sec urity to citizens dwelling in
those remote lands.
What is the condition of things today We
have navy fast going to extinction. 1t has
been estimated that under existing laws it will
not take more than four years to wipe out the
little remnant of wooden navy we have left.
Under the law, whenever it would cost thirty
per cent of the value of ship to repair her, she
must be sold or broken up. Blaine stands to-
day with his party demanding that the Ameri
can navy, once the pride of our people, shall be
restared In this Iaresent Com Nj. Nnnr-