The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-18
THE CAMPAIGN IN INDIANA.
MartinsviIie Republicans Catch Major
William II. Calkins on the Fly,
And Are Rewarded BY Speech Bristling
with Good Points-0ppOs ition to Judge
WeIlbOrn in the Eleventh Circuit.
MAJOR cALKINs.

l.
speech at MartinsvilIe-A Rousing Meeting
on Short Notice.
Correspondence OF the Indianapolis Journal.
MART1NsvILLE, Sept 1.-THE grandest meet
/ ing of the campaign occurred here tonight, on
the spur of the moment.
At $50 this afternoon word was received by
telephone that Major Calkins, who spoke today
at Nashville, in Brown county, would pass this
way on his way to Bloomington, and would stop
in this city over night. At once measures were
taken to give him reception, and when the
! train arrived, at O'clock he was met by the
Republican clubs and a large concourse of citi-
zens, and escorted to the hotel and informed
that there would be ''meetin' here tonight and
that the people awaited him at the court-h house.
Captain w a. Goddard, who accompanied him,
was invited to the courthouse, which was liter
| ally packed with people, and spoke for three
fourths Of an hour. His speech was altogether
devoted to review Of the life and public serv-
ices of James G. Blaine, and was an earnest and
eloquent effort During the course of his
speech, when abiding to the Mulligan letter
episode in Congress between Blaine and
Proctor Knott, when Blaine charged Knott
with suppressing dispatch from Josiah Cald
well in London, exonoratng him from the
charges which Knott was seeking to fasten upon
him, the speaker was interrupted by stranger
representing himself to be connected with the
Indianapolis Sentinel, who demanded that he
read the dispatch. just then Mr.. Calkins APP
peared, and Mr.. Goddard gave way to him. He
however, read the dispatch later, to the discom-
fiture of his questloner and the satisfaction OF
the audience.
Major Calkins was received with cheers and
great enthusiasm He did not attempt to make
a speech, but talked to the people for half an
hour in manner that set the large audience
wild with delight. He gave very plain, prac
tcal and telling talk the tariff, and the action
of the Democratic party in Congress and in con-
vention on that subject During his address he
also was Intercepted by the same party who in
terrupted Captain Goddard. with the statement
that he 1.-THE questioner) was Democrat and an
old soldier, and member of the q. A. R.. that
he had read in the Sentinel, a few days ago, that
in a recent speech Major Calkins had made the
declaration that ANY soldier who would vote
the Democratic ticket ought to be shot, and
wanted to know if these were his sentiments.
The interruption caused some confusion in the
audience, but Major Calkius thanked the person
for the question, and at once proceeded to demol
ish the canard in a way that pleased the audience
immensely. He said that he always took off his
hat to Democratic soldier; that while he him
self, had gone to the war. he did not deserve so
much credit, because he was and always had
been Republican. More, he had been all his
life taught to believe that it was not right to
lash a man on the back in slavery; that it was
wrong TO sell the child from its mothers breast:
that man had the right to defend the virtne of
his wife. his sister, or his daughter and. there
FORE as the war was the revolt of the pro slavery
power against the government, it was compar-
atively easy for him to go to the war; but that
with his comrade from the Democratic PARTY it
was different He did not have the sanction of
his party On the contrary he went directly
against his party teachings; he not only did his
duty to his country, but he broke his party ties
to do so. Therefore he repeated: Il always
take off my hat to Democratic soldier for the
Union He further declared that he
recognized the right OF the soldier and every body
else, whether high or low, white or black
to vote for whom he pleases This is one of the
and this is cardinal principle of the Republican
party; but he was sorry he could not say SO
much for the Democratic party. He would say
to the soldier who votes with the Democrats
however, that he ought to leave that party, for
he is in mighty bad company
The speakers answer to his interrupter was
received with rounds of cheers He then paid
glowing tribute to the armies of the Union, es-
peeially TO the Army of the Tennessee and his
old commander, General Logan His eulogy of
Logan was very fine, indeed and he closed amid
storms of applause. He then introduced Bruce
Carr, candidate FOR State Auditor, who spoke for
a few minutes. Dir. Carr was at one time a
citizen OF our city, and conducted our city
schools, and Of course was among friends.
The meeting was then declared adjourned but
the crowd refused to CO. and Major Calkins and
Dir. Carr held an ovation for half an hour or
more, during which almost every man and
shook hands with our gallant standard bearers.
They created a very favorable impression, and
the impFoptu meeting was great success.