Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-10-18
THE CLIFFORD MEETING.
gathering Of YanktOn Re.
publicans Last
Evening.
Judge Clifford Fails to Put in AN
Appearance, but the
Meeting Goes on.


In accordance with the published an
nonncemcnt, Tuner hall was filled with
people last evening to listen to addresses
by Judge Clifford, republican candidate
for congress, and other speakers 1t was
expected that Judge Clifford would ar
rive on the 4:l5 train from the east. but
he did not come. The committee was
then assured that lie would be in on the
tram from the west at half past eight.
80 1t was decided to hold the crowd un.
til his arrival. After the arrival of the
train from the west it was announced
that the speaker of the evening was
still among the missing, but that the
audience would be entertained by other
speakers selected for the occasion.
There was much disappointment over
this result and slight thinning of the
crowd. But the bulk of those in attend
ance remained and fully enjoyed the
evening, which was agreeably passed
with entertaining speeches and the
music of the Yankton cornet band.
The meeting was called to order by J.
Il. Gamble. Yankton county's member
of the territorial committee, who nomi.
mated L. B. French for chairman. Mr..
French was elected and took the chair
and presided over the meeting. He
thanked the audience for the honor, ex.
planned the absence of Judge Clifford
and hoped that he might yet be here to
honor us with his presence and help US
celebrate the new victory in state
which had spoken for republicanism
with no uncertain voice.
General Hugh j. Campbell was an
nounced as the first speaker, who opened
with tribute to Judge Clifford and e1-
pressed the regret of himself and the
audience over the absence on this occa-
sion OF the man who is to lead the re.
publican hosts Of Dakota to victory.
Referring to national affairs he remarked
that tremendous and unearthly silence
had fallen upon our democratic friends
since the Ohio result was known. The
voice of Ohio had uttered the result of
the national contest in November. New
York was to be the national battle
ground and there the detection OF the
Irish voters and the loyalty OF the Ger
man voters would roll up q greater
majority for tepublicanism than was
achieved four years ago. Democrats
we're therefore silent, while republicans
were loud in their rejoicing. Though
Dakota was filled with disfranchised
people who had no voice in national
contests, those people we're law abiding
citizens and as such were interested in
the result. Dakota's great interest was
In procuring large majority for the re.
publican candidate for congress and
through the voice OF that majority secur-
ing division aud statehood. Democrats
had said that as we had democratic
house better results could be secured by
electing democratic delegate. But as
all political signs indicate d the election
Of republican president and republi-
cun senate and house, it would be vastly
better for republican Dakota to elect q
republican congressman. Judge Clifford
was warm and unswerving friend OF
south Dakota. He had advocated state.
hood at the Huron and Sioux Falls con.
ventions and we could place the i'm
portant work before us in no better
hands than his. Dakota had spoken ID
its many conventions rs being unalter.
ably in favor of division. It should now
poll great vote, as the basis of the di-
vision it sought, aud the republican
party should give Clifford sixty thousand
majority. The speaker dwelt at length
upon the subject of division and state.
hood, and held it to be the duty of the
people to elect members of the legisla.
ture who would see that bill author
izing constitutional convention
was passed during the first
days of the session. He was certain
our governor would sign such bill.
When Judge Clifford came to address
the people of Yankton they would see
and hear an honest mana congressman
who had the voice and vigor to push the
movement for admission and division.
Hon. John r. Gamble was the next
speaker. He had hoped for the presence
OF Judge Clifford and trusted the people
would have the opportunity to hear him
ou territorial and national issues. The
people Of Yankton county had launched
their boat on the south Dakota sea.
Their representatives had exercised their
best Judgment and had placed Yankton
county in the best possible condition,
they thought, for the future. They be.
lieved to-day they we're right and that
Yankton county had on its ticket better
men and occupied better position than
ever before. Good men had been
nominated and good men had been de.
feated and it was the duty OF loyal re.
pubicans to stand by the action
OF the conventions and the
men who we're nominated.
He had no doubt all good republicans
would stand by the record that had been
made. Blaine would be the next presi-
dent and the congress would be repub
lican. With full vote in Dakota We
could 90 before the general government
aud demand our rights and the demand
vonli he haeied Division and a1mis.