The Indianapolis journal., 1884-10-12
A MAGNIFICENT MEETING.
The Gathering of Young Men Under
the Auspices of the Morton Club.
4 Splendid Demonstration on the South Side
Addressed by Governor POrter-Prepar-
ing for Blaine's ReceptiOn-NOtes.

make a political meeting, the most conspicu-
Ously successful and enthusiastic gathering this
city has seen for many years, The theater was
filled. Every seat on the main floor was taken,
many persons were standing and the gallery,
notwithstanding the warmth of the situation,
was more than two-thirds filled. 1t was three
times as large at the meeting recent
ly addressed by John T. Dye, and
nearly twice as large as the meeting
addressed in the same place by George W. Ju-
han and Thomas A. Hendricks, and larger than
the Carl Schurz meeting 1t was a meeting of
earnest, enthusiastic, youngmen Some middle
aged and old men were there, but the great ma
jority of the audience were young men, eager to
hear from young men the tenets of patriotism
and Republicanism. Many ladies were in the
audience, upon the stage and in the boxes The
stage was tastefully decorated with plants and
draped with the national colors A. F. Potts,
president of the Morton club, presided, and
members of the club to the number of two hun
dred occupied front seats in the auditorium.
After an overture by the band, the Morton
glee club sung, Give Us Blaine, the Pride of
Maine, which was rapturously applauded. Mr
Potts then stepped forward and introducing
L.
evening, said that the meeting was a splendid
tribute to the devotion of the young men to the
Republican party-the party of progress and re-
for1n-a party proud of its past sure Of its pres
ent and confident of its future. He referred to
Mr.. Morton as an honorary member of the club,
and said that in Indiana the name of Morton is
proud heritage. 1t honors him who wears it
and gives to him the good will and good opinion
of the people of the State.
Mr. Oliver I. Morton, as he came forward,
was received with great cheers and the most
cordial and pronounced testimonials of good will.
After graceful allusion to the singing of the
glee club, he began his speech, which was Wig
Orous presentation of the positions of the two
great opposing parties and showing that every
one who votes for the Greenback ticket or the
Prohibition ticket casts an indirect vote for
Grover Cleveland The logic and common sense
of the situation, he said, was to vote direct for
either Mr. Blaine or the Democratic candidate.
He graphically showed the dishonest po-
sition occupied by the so-called independent
upon the tariff. A casual allusion to the In
dianapolis Sentinel as the Police Gazet5e of
American politics was greeted with great laugh
ter He showed that the policy of the Democratic
party from 1876 to the present had consisted of
series of attacks upon the protective interests OF
the country and were an earnest of what we
may expect if that party comes into power. In
allusion to Mr.. Tildens letter to the Chicago
he said, IF remember Alright, Mr.. Tilden said
he was too old and too feeble to teach the Demo
cratic party any new tricks and the letter keenly
regretted the failure of that eminent stock-Job-
ber to speculate longer in presidential futures"
He gave the history of Mr. Hendricks in quick,
clear cut sentences, comprehending that dubious
statesmans numerous sins of omission and COM
mission with a pungent terseness that was
keenly appreciated by the audience. Mr.. Cleve:
land was nominated simply for the reason that
NO man could identify him with the history of
the Democratic party, as no man
prominent in that party could ever
United States Some people, said Mr. Morton
''said Mr.. Cleveland's letter of acceptance was
written by a schoolboy and Mr. Cleveland
had fathered it to save the reputation of the
boy"-a touch of humor that fairly brought
down the house. The speaker made glowing
reference to the eminent services of Mr.. Blaine
and General Logan, contrasting the war record
of the Republican candidate for the vice-presi.
dency with that of "the distinguished
soldier Thomas A. Hendricks, the hero
of the memorable battle Of Pogue's
run" His alluson to Governor Porter, as re-
iecting great honor upon his party and upon the
State. and that there might be place to which
the party would be able to call him in the near
future met with o warm response from the
audience.
Mr.. Morton closed with an eloquent tribute to
the high character, ability and patriotism of
Major Calkins, who began life poor boy, went
lieutenant colonel, at the age of twenty-five,
and sat down amid great applause.
PRESENTING THE BANNER.
Mr.. George T. Porter at the conclusion of
Mr. Morton's address, stepped forward and
said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: Some of the young
ladies of this city wish to present to the Morton
Club which is here this evening, a banner. The
gift signifies their appreciation of the character
= e IL ~
citation of the Importance to the welfare of the
public of the success of those political prin-
eiples for which the club contends. 1t would
certainly be more agreeable to the feelings and
wishes of all of us if the ladies had succeeded in
prevailing upon one of their own number to
make the presentation speech; but they all seem
to be deferred by that difidence which is char
acteristic of their sex. They have done me the
honor to invite me to speak for them / esteem
1t high honor for two reasons-frst of course,
because of the source from which the
invitation comes, and seeondly--because of
the end which they have in view.
The Morton Club has now over 200 members 1t
is composed of some of the best Young men in
the city-best in those qualities which go to
make up the good citizen-intelligence, patriot
Ism. activity in the dissemination of those views
upon political questions which they believe to be
sound aud for the public welfare. The club is
well named. 1t bears the name of that man to
whose patriotism, wisdom and courage of
Indiana and of the Nation so great
q debt of gratitude-that man who is the largest
figure in our States history. We are glad to
know that this name, besides being in some de-
gree in the keeping of this club, is also in other
good keeping AS have listened to the speech
which we have heard this evening have said to
myself, he is the worthy of an ilustrious
father; and l believe that the years to come
will find him among those leaders whose
hearts beat for the public good, and who have
she ability the help the people to attain that
good In 1880 the campaign marked by the
activity and enthusiasm of the young men, and
it is a good sign of the times that we see this
and other like organizations striving to main
tain the power and influence of that political
party which, by fidelity to right principles and
capacity for action has made this country what
1t is to-day.
''Mr. President: On behalf of the ladies who
have delegated me to act for them, l have the
nleasnre and the honor TO present TO the Morton