Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03
IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT.
Grand and Enthusiastic Repub-
lican Ratification Meeting at
the National Capital.
Ringing Speeches Made by Senators
Sherman, HaWiey, Malone, Har.
risOn, and Others.


pectations. The crowd was enormous,
completely filling the great space in
front of the City Hall. 1t might be
placed anywhere from Il, 900 to 10000.
according to the enthusiasm of the per-
sons making the estimate. Probably
that ELUSIVE Nebraska boomer at Chic
ago, who had his white stovepipe hat
painted red after the nomination Of
Blaine, would put the figure at $4,000.
1t will be sufficient to say that there
was multitude of people, many more
than were able to hear any of the three
speakers who occupied three different
stands at the same time. The decOra-
tIOns were elaborate and tasty. High
up on the front of the buildings were
displayed large portraits of Blaine and
Logan, and below them ''The Peoples
Choice" in letters so large that he who
ran might read. There was profuse
display of shields, stars. eagles, and
other patriotic devices, while from
ropes stretched from the roofs hung an
endless number of flags, streamers, and
bunting of red, white, and blue; wreathS
and floral pieces added to the beauty of
the scene.
For half an hour before the opening
and at intervals during the meeting
the crowd was entertained by selections
by the Marine Band. A few stirring
cOmpaign songs rendered in good style
by glee club also aided to intensity
the enthusiasts. A large number of
prominent speakers were upon the pro-
gramme, and they had the good sense
TO make their speeches short and to the
point. They were most cordially re-
ceived, being Cheered again and again
IN the heartlest manner. The Hon.
Samuel Shellabarger, of Ohio, presided.
A slight sprinkle of rain, accompanied
by a smart gust of wind, soon after the
speaker began sent half of the crowd
scampering away, but it did not last
long and the throng was soon as large
as before. A brilliant display of fire.
works contributed to the enjoyment of
the occasion. The meeting was a great
success, and ia the highest degree graft
tying to the republicans. 1t is true that
the people here do not vote, vet the
enthusiasm in Washington does not
count except as it flows out in many
little channels to irrigate the country,
but the public pulse at the National
capital with its representatives from
every section, is a very correct test of
the general feeling among the people at
large.
THE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER.
The first ratification action of the Chi
cago convention by the republicans of
the District of Columbia took place Fri
day night.
Judge Shellabarger presided at the
principal platform on which some of the
most prominent republicans in official
life had seats. General Hawley called
the meeting to order, after which Judge
Shellabarger opened it in brief speech.
Judge William Lawrence, of Ohio, read
q series of resolutions indorsing and rat
flying the republican nominations for
president and vice president, and setting
forth the reasons why Blaine and Logan
should be supported and elected by
those who had at heart the best inter
ests of the country. The resolutions
were adopted with cheers. Judge Shell
labarger introduced
THE HON. JOHN SHERMAN
as the first speaker. Mr.. Sherman said
in part: Il will support the nOmina-
lions Icheers of Blaine and Logan as
heartily as L have done those of FIRE.
mont and Lincoln and Grant and Hayes
and Garfield [applausel, and this l
would do, fellow citizens, even if they
were less worthy than / know them to
be of the distinguished honor proposed
for them. l would do it for my own
honor. [ have no patience with any
man who for himself, or any other per-
son, would take his chances for success
in political convention, and when dis
appointed would seek to thwart the &C
ton of the convention. Blaine andl
Logan have been selected from among
millions of their cOuntrymen to repres-
ent, not themselves, but the republican
party of the United States. They
represent the American Union, one and
indivisible, snatched by war from the
perils of secession and disunion. They
represent strong National government.
able, l trust, in time, not only to pro-
tect our citizens from foreign tyranny,
but from local cruelty, intolerance, and
oppression. They represent that party
IN this country, which would scorn to
obtain or hold power by depriving by
crime and fraud more than a million of
men of their equal rights as citizens.
They represent the party that would
give to the laboring men of our country
the protection of our revenue laws
against undue competition with foreign
A1oOA' LACy 1SplSoShU blAS pOWS1,
achievements, ANA aspirations of the
republican party, that for now twenty
four years has been greatly trusted by
the people, and in return has greatly
advanced your country in strength and
wealth, intelligence, courage, and
hope, and in the respect and wonder of
mankind.
A GENERATION OF YOUNGER MEN
are coming to the front in the south, as
well as the north, and they arc deter
mined to overthrow the narrow Bourbon
sectionalism of the democratic party.
They live in the mountains and plains
of the west. They breathe the fresh air
of the hills of Virginia, North Carolina,
and Tennessee; they are hardy, liberty
loving laborers of every state. They
come from the fatherland. They come
from old Ireland. They are active spir-
its, native and naturalized, of a genera
ton of free men, who never felt the in
,cubus of slavery, and who wish only as
Americans to make stronger and plant
deeper the principles of the republican
party. Every advance, every reform.