The Evening critic., 1884-06-20
BLAINE'S WHITE PLUME
AND BLACK JACKS STANDARD

VIII Lead the Republican HOSTS on
TO u Glorious VictOry--Tho Enthu-
siastic Meeting at the City Hall
Last Night-"Wc Will Follow the
white Plume ana Black Jacks
standardi" shout the District Re-
pubiIcnns, and the Sentiment IL
Thundered Back from Every Hill
ana valley of the Land Good and
strong Resolutions and Speeches.
Ten thousand citizens assembled last
evening in front of the City Hall to indorse
and ratify earnestly and enthusiastically
the nominations Of James Gillespie Blaine
and John Alexander Logan. Up and
down Louisiana and Indiana avenues and
Four-and -a-half street sea of upturned
faces greeted the speakers on the porticoes,
and every inch of available space in street,
sidewalk and parking, on doorsteps, at
windows, and even on housetops was
crowded.
An Unrivaled Scene.
The scene at o'clock was one unrivaled
in the history of political demonstrations
in tho District of Columbia.
house was blaze of light. Four electric
lights and radiators flashed and sparkled
above the scene and threw their silvery ef-
fulgence upon the crowd. The lights from
the Capitol dome illuminated the house.
tops f.0t
At intervals of a few seconds rockets and
Roman candles burst skyward in their
beauty. Greek fires OF red and green
glowed. The combined light OF electricity
gas, oil and pyrotechnics splendidly showed
the decorations
The southern Front OF the City Hall
was elaborately decorated. 1t looked very
gay. The central stand was crowded with
speakers. Hundreds Of invited guests oc-
cupied seats to the rear. The central por-
tico was surmounted by large portraits OF
Blaine and Logan and a gilded representa-
tion of the rising sun, and a lavish display OF
flags and bunting almost covered the build
ing. Streamers of international colors ra-
dated from the pinnacle Of the portico to
the speakers stand below.
The sky was dark and threatening. A
little rain fell, but did not have any effect
upon the enthusiastic crowd that surged
aud swclled in every direction. The crowd
was good-natured and orderly and the po-
lice idle. 'iD.sl ....
Everybody listened attentively to good
speeches. As the hour for calling tho meet
ing to order approached the enthusiasm
was enhanced by the arrival Of tho Michi-
gan, Colorado and other Republican asso-
Citations, bearing transparencies with mot
toes that were cheered by the crowd
Among the mottoes were, Blaine, Logan
and Victory" "Hurrah for the Plumed
Knight and the Black Eagle"
The Arrival OF the Distinguished
..0 Speakers, ...-
one by one, caused repeated outbursts Of ap.
plause.
The applause was equally enthusiastic fol
Blaine's defeated opponents. who are now
proud to praise him-Hawley, Sherman
Harrison and others-and for his trusty
supporters in the convention, among them
Tom Bayne, VIM. Walter Phelps. They
cheered heartily men who, like Malone
and Douglass, did not regard Blaine as theii
first choice, but who have now come to his
standard with earnest and active support.
As the speakers stand became crowded
and the Marine Band and glee club took
their places on the platform, Professor
Sousa waved his baton and there was a
burst of patriotic music that swelled
through the crowd and echoed from the
surrounding buildings. The popular airs
were taken up by the crowd and
Marching through Georgia"
was sung by several thousand voices to th
Marine Band accompaniment.
The Marine Bands next effort demon
strated that Messrs. Sousa and Taber hay,
added to their already abundant laurcls BY
producing the campaign song OF 1854. Th'
first notes and words of their joint produc
tion, "We'll follow where the white PLUMB
waves" were greeted with burst Of ap
plause, which subsidized into attentive ant
admiring silence, and then burst int
melody as the crowd caught the refraii
and
Joined in the Chorus as with On,
Voice.
Mr.. Whipple and the glee club led tn
singing, but on the platform aud Ia tn
street below the catchy air Of the lyrl
| proved contagious, and even sedate Genera
| Hawley found himself on his feet at the en-,
of the second verse Justify singing:
"Then hurrah for the emblem white,
| And hurrah for tho Plumed Knight!
| For victory and Blaine-from oregon to Maine
| Well follow where the white plume wavesl"
The success OF the song Is due mainly t
the contagious and thrilling melody. 1t |
destined to be heard at every meeting 0
d! the campaign, and to be chanted in tn
street and at homes. Sousa's trump
would net be SO complete, however, If Nj
Taber's .ortian of the work-the song II
| self-did NOT contain more than the usui
degree Of rhythm.
The words are as folicws;
Stand firm from mountains unsc seas,
And arm ye for the lght
| See waving on the loyal breeze
(, Our chieftain's plume OK white.
BIaine's snow.white crest has never bowed
on legislative floor,
| And Logans voico rang clear and loud
| Amid the battles roar.
| With Blaine, OF Maine, we'll sweep the land,
i AS In the days OF yore,
/ From old Atlnntic's silver strand
| To far Pacitic's shore.
| A million throats take up the strain,
| Ten million hearts reply;
| With Blaine, OF Maine, The day we'll gain,
Is Numbered TO the sky.
| And till the long campaign has ceased,
| Shall move that snowy crest.
Above the statesmen OF the East,
The soldiers or the West.
| CHORUS
Then, hufrah for the emblem white,
And hurrah for the Plumed Knight.
For Victory and Blaine, from oregon
Maine,
| wellfollow where tho white plume wave
| TIE Grand Stand and the OverhOy
| The meeting at the central portlco soon a
sume0 proportions that compelled Its exte
| 80 ~ afa "a nd