Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-07-31
A SPECIAL GATHERING OF NOTED
BOURBON CHIEFS In COUNCIL.

On the evening of July oath there
was gathered at the Opera House, of
this city, through the arduous and
laborious efforts of its manipulators
and managers, the representatives OF
the Democratic party of southwest
ern Wisconsin. 1t had none of the
appearances of a spontaneous gath
ering, nor did the studied speeches de-
livered ,evince any of the emarked char
acteristics of genuine enthusiasm;
but rather the whole demonstration
appeared as a planned and program
med effort TO counteraot, if possible,
the influence Of an impending de-
feat which had fallen on the whole
party with apprehensive fear since
the man of brains had submitted to
their perusal his letter of acceptance.
The house was fairly filed, but
not to its full capacity. 1t was an
orderly assemblage. The programme
was quite fully carried out, even to
the cheering as pre- arrangement.
The meeting was called to order by
the president of the Cleveland and
Hendricks club, whose fine presence,
dignity and suavity of manner, and
ample experience, made him an ad-
mirable presiding officer, who, after
a few well timed remarks, introdue-
ed him whom the young and asplr-
ing democrats of this section have
selected as their leader The reason
why this gentleman was selected to
make the opening speech of the cam
paign can probably be best explained
by those democratic worthless who
so successfully managed the last
county convention under the guise
of fishermen. However, his well
prepared remarks, delivered with
scholarly accuracy, at once received
a respectful attention. Even his ex-
trayagant ideas Of democratic purity
were accepted by the audience
not really as the result Of an in
correct knowledge of contemporary
history-but rather as a humorous
attempt at vivacious pleasantly.
Next came the Hon. Mayor OF
an adjoining city. Though younger
by many years, he bears in some
respects a resemblance to the con.
spicuous Mayor of the western me
tropolis. His self-possession, his Sc
lection of sonorous phrases, his easy
utterance of enhancing adjectiyes,
his peculiar fiorid style of oratory,
rivited the attention of all present.
His comparison of the democratic
party to a ship launched upon the
waters, seems to indicate that he does
not entertain that aversion to water
which has become one of the estab-
lished tenets Of their political faith.
Still, when he accompanied this im-
aginary craft with singing birds,
and waited it on with perfumed
breezes into the land of enchantment,
the climax of the evenings oratory
had been reached, and he retired
amid much applause.
Then came upon the platform one
Of whom to say he stands without a
peer as a reasoner and debater will
render unnecessary the mention Of
his name. OF course he devoted
himself to that which threatened
most vitality the democratic party,
and therefore confined himself to
Mr. Blaine's letter of acceptance.
The admirable manner in which he
read large portion of that letter
was well received by the audience,
probably on account Of so large a
number of them being republicans.
However his discussion Of the po-
litical issues Of the campaign was
conducted with much fairness and
great ability.
a worthy representative of that
nation whose oratorical reputation
has long stood unsurpassed came
next. 1t appeared that his part in
the evenings programme was to say
something about the republican par
4 ty that would tend to counteract a
wide spread sentiment prevailing
among that nationality favorable to
n