St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-18

stand there was a very large aud enthusiastic
meeting of several thousand people. Mr..
Blaine spoke here at greater length than
usual. After calling attention to the pro-
tective tariff as the great issue of the cam
paign, and expressing his belief that Michi-
gan, state so much interested in protec-
ton, would follow the lead of Ohio, he said
81 have received, since have been in the
state, two or three letters from persons ask
ing me to state whether l had ever been a
member of the Know Nothing party. In
connection with these inquiries from per-
sons in Michigan, have received some tel
egrams from the Pacific coast, asking
whether l was not supporter of Mr.. Fill
more when he ran in 1856 as the native
American candidate for the presidency. Let
me say, in full and explicit reply to these
inquiries by letter and telegraph that l
never was member of the Know Nothing
order, that never voted for man who
was nominated by it either for
state or for national office, and that in
stead OF supporting Mr.. Fillmore in 1856,
when was young man of tweDty-six, i had
the honor to be member of the national
Republican convention which nominated
General Fremont. And as the general is
now on the platform, he will be able to bear
testimony that, however inefficient my sup
port may have been, it was very earnest and
very ardent. was then the junior editor
of the Kennehec Journal and the paper
was entirely devoted to General Fremont's
advocacy, and aided in giving him the larg-
est majority ever cast in Maine for presi-
dental candidate of any party. The Know
Nothing order hold views in regard to immi-
CRATIC n and naturalization with which !
never had any sympathy and from which
never hesitated to express dissent, but in
connection with that subject let me say that
there are at present three wrongs, which in
my judgment, require correction.
First, l think that the habit which has
grown up on the part of some European
countries of sending their paupers to
the Uuited States, ought not to
be longer tolerated. believe
in the good old Americon system which re-
quires that each town or each county shall
take care of its own poor. If in European
countries their laws tend to impoverish their
working people, those countries ought to
take care of them when reduced to want, in
stead of shipping them to US.
Second, and still more Objectionable, is
the practice of shipping their criminals to
US, as has been done in many cases. The
criminals being released from punishment
on condition that they shall come to the
United States. think that is a very grave
offense against this country, which should
not be permitted.
Third, if tariff for protection is designed
to elevate the laboring man in this country
and secure him good wages, and if it is not
for that it is not Tor anything, then I think
that the custom which some men are trying
to introduce, of importing cheap contract
labor from foreign countries to compete with
home labor, ought to be prohibited. 1t is a
species of servitude against the spirit of our
laws, and Injuries all who are in say way
connected with it. These are the three evils
that think ought to be remedied.
But as to every honest immigrant seeking
to better his condition, whether he come
from the British isles or from the great Ger
man en- pire, from the sunny climes of the
Latin nations or from the brave Scandina-
Wan races of the north, we bid him God
speed and give him hearty welcome and hos
pitality, and when he Is admitted to citizen
ship we assure him protection at home and
abroad. Once among US, and of us, his
rights are equal before the law with those of
the native-born citizen. No distinction can
be tolerated among those who are clothed
with the honor of American citizenship"
at the onclusiou of his remarks, Mr.
Blaine introduced Gen. Fremont as the gal
liant soldier who had led the Republican
party in its first great political conflict which,
though ending in nominal defeat, was really
the preparation for its splendid triumph four
years later. The appearance of the general
was the signal for enthusiastic cheering. He
returned thanks in brief speech, in the
course of which he said:
''Mr. Blaine referred to the fact that he
was a member Of the convention that nomi
mated me in 1856. The loyal and candid
support which l am now giving Mr.. Blaine
is the best testimony / can bear
to what he has said about his
earnest support of me when 1 had the honor
to be at the head of the Republican party in
its first great national campaign
At Port Huron there.was a fine reception
Rev. A. Hastings Ross read an address of
welcome, to which Mr.. Blaine responded
briefly. Gen. Fremont was then introduced
and made a few remarks. 1t was about z 80
when the train arrived at Detroit Mr.
Blaine, in company with Senator Hale, was
driven TO Mrs. Chandler's, where he will
spend the night. Tomorrow he viii go on
through Michigan, reaching South Bend, In
diana, in the evening.