The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-22

pany. as chairman of the meeting.
winston was received with applause
as he stepped forward and thanked
the assemblage for the honor con-
ferred. A long line of vice-presidents
WAS read, and a resolution in the
heartiest spirit of the Meeting was
adopted, Park e. Goodwin, editor of
the Commercial Advertiser, made a
short address, and then the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher was
presented. He was again
enthusiastically welcomed. He said
the most excellent evening paper
in Brooklyn, whose editor
L esteem very highly be-
cause he eSteems me highly (laughter).
not long ago said that Mr.. Beecher
used to be very much opposed to the
president, but that he had come
around and became great friend of
his, and that was just like
Beecher. Laughter. L am here to
verify every word of that. l was not
pleased with MIR. Arthur at first
| was, on the contrary, displeased
with him, and 1 regarded the success
of his administration as being
very uncertain, but 1 have been
won from those prejudiceS by the
steady progress of his wise and pru-
dent administration. | am here as a |
business man. l have a right |
to speak what | think on all !
questions respecting the public veal,
and to give forth such views as L |
think will conduce to the welfare |
of our nation. This is an as
semblage of business men, not of cap
italtsts or of monopolists. l hold |
that the business part of the commu-
nifty represent in many repects the
best interests of the whole country,
and we have met here to voice and sug-
geSt to the convention at Chicago
what is the will of the republicans of
New York, with as many democrats
as God has made rational. Applause
and laughter. Who is Chester A.
Arthur? He is a man who has
proved himself, under trying circum-
stances, one of the most able presi-
dents this nation has ever had. That
he has been subjected to so little criti-
cism is a marvel. Elected vice
president, Mr.. Arthur had been
an ardent New York politician,
loyal to party and to his
friends, carrying himself perhaps be-
yOnd the line of prudence, but Ihonor
5he man whose imprudence springs
rom the integrity and loyalty of his
leart (applause). When, by the terri
DIE deed Cf an insane man, he
became president he forgot the things
ne remembered merely as politician
# New York, and turned with great
,r trust and wider horizon to con-
'ront the duties before him;
md when it was necessary he
should sacrifice bosom friends rather
han involve the country in old
rouble and bitterness, he gave up his
riends, and, by his acts, if any man
'ver earned a denomination {
lrthur did. I don't say ]
he non-electlon of Arthur is going to {
lestroy the republic. The country
will prosper whoever is president, but [
do say we ought to put back into
lis place that man who has, to the adj
niration of his friends and surprise of
lis political antagonists, conducted
his government so well.
Hon. Benz. ii. Bristow was then
and was most cor ;
lially received. Bristow began by
ketching briefly the distress and !
liscontent which were prevalent in
he republican ranks at the accession
# Arthur-discontent which the said {
in the overwhelming
lefeat of the republican candidate
or governor, against whom, personal
y, nothing could be urged.
Even the most sanguin re-
)ublicans would then hardly
Jared think the republican president
could be elected in 1884. He
to the wonderful change
n the election in New York
asst year by the election of a republ1-
IAN legislature, and the remarkable
accession in the ranks of presidential
Bristow retired amid
cheers, and after few other speeches
,he meeting adjourned. A committee
Of one hundred will be appointed to
go to Chicago to favor Arthus's ad-