St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-11
wINoNA,s VISIT TO LACROSSE
To Hear Carl Schurz-An Excursion
That Had Its Difficulties.
Special Correspondence OF the Globe.l

Tor Lhe last Two weeks. We have had plenty
of rain, and it has, at times, deluged US. The
trains and mails have been belated, and
passengers have been waylaid, still this is no
cause for quickening the pulse of the average
Wirona man.
The preliminaries of the recent congress
sionai convention did arouse u slight feeling
OF activity, bat everything went OFF so
smoothly at the convention that even this
cooled of.
We expect however, to give Bierman q
clean majority Of at least LOCO votes.
Tie news that Carl Schurz was to speak at
La Crosse, last Monday evening, was, to a
certain extent, an electric shock, and the
Democrats and ndependent-Republicar
which, by The way, are not as scarce an
article this year, as usual, bestirred them
selves, and concluded 10 90 down and hear
the representative Of political independence.
BY the efforts Of Assistant Superintendent
Sanborn, of the Northwestern road, special
train was placed at the disposal OF the Clevc-
land and Hendricks cluo. and at 6:15 O'Clock
we 'shUt our doors against the setting sun"
ana left for lair La Crosse.
The track Was clear, and the engineer, ap-
pa-ent.y anxious TO get US there in time, ''let
her go, and tie way We went flying along the
track would have been a marye, to old ThOs
Jefferson. Very likely the old Democrat was
wishing Us "God speed" in our efforts 10 re-
establish Jcffersonau government, and wish
Ing that lie could come down for few min
utes and give Us few hints.
We were L Democratic crowd that filed
those three coaches, although there was no
whisky on board that l saw, and as we
flashed along. Joking and cheering for the
Ticket, the two unfortunate Republicans,
who were going down out OF curiosity to see
Sc4u-z. Gals does not include the indie
pendcnts) thought that the tidal wave, or more
properly the cyclone Of Democratic success
was upon them. However they were treated
kindly and gently ana they think now that
We were not such a vulgar mob as they had
been led to believe. Very likely, now, they
viii vote for Cleveland.
We arrivedat Onalaski, twenty-five miles
from Wiuona at 7:l5 and were switched off
onto the short line leading into La Crosse.
The track had been washed out two days
before, but lad been repaired that day and
going slowly We passed over in safety.
think that IN this spot especially the shades
OF Jefferson guarded US.
When We arrived at the depot we found
all the street cars in La Crosse waiting for u.s.
We boarded them without ceremony and
started upon tie horse; they are one horse
cars though on a broad gage track
y short distance from the depot the car
run off the track; we got out and put it back.
Not even the awful catastrophe of being de-
rallied could check our spirits or impede our
onward march. We were going to swell the
food sweeping over Wisconsin, and woe to
him that undertakes to dam our passage.
When We had reUched the civilized part of
the city we found the sidewalks lined with
people, men, women and children rushing
nadiy on toward the seat Of war. They hal
ioaed to US, We responded. The horse baked,
we cheered him and he went on.
\ little further we ran in between two
lines OF torches, and during the balance of
the course We were lighted by Democratic
torches and cheered by Democratic voters.
On reaching the postofIice we alighted, and
forming in line followed the inspiring strains
OF our own famous Germania to the Cameron
house.
Here was to be the point of departure of
the numerous clubs That were to take part in
the demonstration.
The scene was brilliant beyond expression.
The streets meeting at that point were filled
with long lines of torches four and six
abreast as far almost as the eye could reach.
After few preliminaries, such as furnish
ing Us with torches and getting US in line OF
battle, the parade commenced.
The Lacrosse Fifth Ward club led off with
one hundred and fifty torches; then we filed
in with two hundred. Afterwards the other
clubs fell in, and as the head of the line
passed up over the hill at the post office over
TWO thousand were in line, each one borne
in the hands Of man marching to Demo-
cratic music, and inspired with Democratic
principles. Fireworks of every description
were in continual eruption, the night was
made like unto day, and the air was bur
dened by the music and successive round of
cheers. When Carl Schurtz passed along
the line in an open carriage, the ''tigers''
that greeted him were to say the least quite
complimentary to him.
After marching for a half an hour or so,
we gathered to hear the speech. A stand
had been erected in the park and seats ar
ranged around it. Here were congregated
at least eight thousand people, at least there
were that many in sight, and they extended
way out into the darkness, so there might
have been twelve thousand present.
To describe Schurtz other than to say that
he is a tall, slim man, with sharp face Gov
cred with brown whiskers and wearing
glasses, would occupy too much time and
space. Neither can 1 attempt to give
summary Of what he said. This has already
been printed.
His speech was a forcible, sharp and ex-
ceedingly plain statement of Mr. Blaine's
connection with the Little Rock bonds.
and other matters in which he had abused
the confidence imposed in him by the
people.
Ills logic was correct, his arguments were
unanswerable, and his eloquence was ire
ststible. His audience were with him and he
kept them. Once only did some one have
the temcrity to cheer for Blaine. Quicker
than a flash the speaker turned on him his
whole reserved battery, and from that time
until the close no one breathed the name of
Blaine, except in scorE.
Mr.. Schurtz showed his power and re-
sources when he ''set down. on this
Blaine adherent, and his audience showed
their appreciation by rising and cheering
Justly.
The meeting was q grand one and did
much for Cleveland's cause
The Winoua delegation returned much
pleased with their trip, and frmer than ever
in their conviction that Democracy will win
this fall.
Crop Reports.