The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-07-30
Ratification Meeting.

Notwithstanding the fact that the
speakers from abroad, who were to be
present and deliver addresses at the
Cleveland and Hendricks ratification
meeting on Saturday night failed to put
in appearance. enough local talent was
brought out to make the meeting per-
feet success. The palace theatre was well
filed, although il was generally known
that the speakers who bad been an
lounced would not b. here. Walter
Cooper, Chairman Of the Democratic
Central Committee. called the meeting
to order anil nominated s. w. Langhorne
as president, who, upon taking the stand
announced the names of some twenty
four who had been selected as Vice
presidents, and who, when their names
were called, appeared and took seats on
the platform. The president returned
thanks for the honor conferred upon him
and read an eloquent letter from Hon.
Samuel Word Of Butte. regretting that
he could not be present, and also tele-
gram from Hon. S. 7. Hauser, and after
making few remarks, introduced Hon.
Frank Armstrong, who made mastery
speech in defense of the nomination. and
drew strong contrast not only between
the men, Cleveland and Blaine, but of
the character of the men. and who were
the hackers of each. Cleveland having
behind him the solid business men Of
the country and those that were heartily
in favor of administrative reform and
Blaine, those who had been identified
with the star route, the navy and other
ring frauds. The speaker closed with an
eloquent appeal to the Democracy to
stand united in this Territory and make
sure that now, upon the eve of a national
victory, that Montana be kept, where she
had always been, in the Democratic
ranks. The next speaker was Mr.. Frank
Mullen, who had recently arrived from
Iowa. and settled in BOzeman for the
practice of his profession. We did not
hear all his speech, but it had the ring
Of true Democracy was brief and pithy.
Judge Luce was introduced, but said that
owing to the short notice he did not feel
that he could do justice to the occasion
but when he got warmed, he made such
an arraignment Of the Republican party,
as must have made the ears of Republic
cans present, tingle with shame, and
closed with a glowing tribute to the
worth, honesty and integrity of Grover
Cleveland and Thomas A. Hendricks.
Judge H. N. Mcguire then closed the
speaking in his usual eloquent style, and
we have not heard a more ringing speech
for long time. He contrasted the for
eign policy of the country under Demo-
cratic rule, and showed that it was only
under Democratic rule that our flag had
beeu respected abroad, and the rights of
American citizens protected. That under
it, all the valuable acquisitions of Terri
tory had been gained, with the excep-
ton Of the frozen region Of Alaska; and
that under Republican rule only, had the
people been robbed of vast land grants
to enrich monopolies, after which three
cheers were given for Cleveland and
Hendricks, and the meeting adjourned.
On the whole the Democrats of Boze-
man have nothing of which TO feel
ashamed. The short notice, the disap-
pointment, had its effect on our local
speakers, but under all circumstances, it
is gratifying to note that they all did
well. 1t should teach us this lesson.
that hereafter we may rely on home
talent in any emergency.
The hall was most beautifully and
tastefully decorated. A large size bust
picture of Grover Cleveland IA present
from Hon Samuel Word was hug con-
spicuously over the speakers stand, and
over that, in an arch, were the words
Reform" in large evergreen letters.
Flags and other draperies added very
much to the beauty of the scene.
The credit tor this beautiful ornamen-
tation is due in the main to John Worth.
assisted by J. E. Hart.
The Bozeman brass band lent it's en-
livening strains to the occasion, and quite
a number Of ladies graced the occasion
with their presence.