Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-10-02
A Tremendous Ovation to Mr.
Blaine by the People of
the Quaker City.
BLAINE IN THE QUAKER CITY.
OVERWHELMED swITH CALLERS-A MON

large crowd had gathered in the hotel
corridors and around the Chestnut
street front, but Blaine stepped out
quietly at the Niath street exit.
At o'clock Blaine and party return
ed from their drive to the park. After
luncheon, Blaine proceeded to the
Union League house for the public
reception. This took place in the large
assembly room. Blaine was attended
by a committee of thirty Of the younger
members of the league in evening
dress. Thousands of people streamed
through the room until half-past four,
when the reception terminated and
Blaine drove back to the Continental.
hotel for dinner.
While the party were still at diRner,
Senator Don Cameron came to bid
Blaine goodbye. AS soon as it was
known in the hotel that Blaine had re-
turned from the union league, the guests
began to gather in groups in the cOrrI-
dor leading to his rooms, and, Just as
dinner ended, some ladies gently pushed
the door open far enough to see the dis
tinguished candidate, and stood there
gazing at him. When Blaines atten-
tion was called to this, he turned from
the gentlemen with whom he was speak
ing and shook hands with the ladies.
At about 1880, Blaine, protected on
one side by Elkins and on the other by
President Boxer, of the league, made
his way through the usual crowd to his
carriage and was driven to the private
entrance Of the clubhouse, where again
the police had to hold the people in
check when he made his way into the
building. The clubhouse was relatively
more crowded than the street and Blaine
was compelled to undergo hand-shak
ing ordeal. AT a few minutes past g,
Mr. Benson, first vice-president of the
league, requested all but Blaine and his
party to Withdraw from the room, which
was becoming very close. This request
was complied with slowly, and while
the gentlemen liz the room were leaving,
there were others begging 10 be allowed
"A word with Mr. Blaine
AMoNsTER PARADE.
But Benson WIS compelled to be mex
oraale. Blaine was then escorted to
platform erected in front of the build
ing, where he reviewed a parade. As
the head of the procession. led by Gen.
Hartranft, as chief marshal, passed the
stand, he was enthusiastically applaud
one could see about a mile and half
down Broad street. The procession fill
ed the whOle'of this space, and during
th9 whole time Blaine remained on the
stand. The torches appearing in the
distance were a solid mass of moving
fire and could be seen filing into Broad
street at the lower end. All the clubs
wore neat uniforms and moved in mill
taru onH tho Of ,,,As+ 6
them was admirable. Each club, as it
passed the stand, gave "Three cheers for
James @. .BlaiHe," or for "James G..
Blaine, our next president" and Mr..
Blaine in zach instance removed his hat
and bowed. 1.-The Young Republicans
of Philadelphia, body of quite young
gentlemen, were especially demonstra-
tive. They cheereel in college boy style
as they passed and were in turn loudly
cheered by the crowds. The mayor of
the city expressed his opinion that there
were more than 10000 men marching,
and he believed half the population of
Philadelphia were out. L was under
stood there would be no speaking, so no
demand was made for speech. At 9:15,
while the procession was still in full
view. Blaine bowed repeatedly and left
the stand.
Upon entering the club house he took
some refreshments, after which he
passed out amid the most enthusiastic
cheering, entered a carriage and was
driven rapidly to the depot and lett for
New York at 9:35 on special train.
Arrangements had been made for
fine display of fireworks in connection
with the demonstration in honor of Mr..
Blaine, but after couple of bombs
had been exploded, Mayor Smith prohiIs-
tied it. One Bomb did not go higher
than tie top of the church. At Broad
and SAMSON streets the stars fell IN a
profuse shower upon the crowd, burn
ing many persons asd causing panic
which the police had difficulty in sup
pressing. The second bomb was even
more disastrous than the first. snd then
Mayor Smith decided that the lives of
the people should not be imperiIled and
around the Union League was larger
than has been seen for years. Women
and children were crushed, and even
men fell from exhaustion. They were
carried off by the police and =tll recov-
cred in short time. The mayor opened
the line at various places and allowed
the peo pie to escape the crowd.
IN NEW YORK AGAIN.
New YORK, Sept. 23-The special train
over the Pennsylvania road which con-
veyed Blaine and party from Philadel-
phia, made but one stoD-at Elizabeth
The trip was made IN less than two
hours. The train arrived at Jersey City
at II 80 P NJ. Blaine and friends took
carriages, crossed to Desbrosses street
ferry and were driven to the Fifth
Avenue hotel. Blaine was greatly