The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-18
CANVASS OF THE PARTIES.
Senator HarrisOn's Speech to an Enthu-
siastic Audience of ColOred Voters.
The Efforts of the Liquor Dealers in Behalf of
the Democratic Candidate for Criminal
Judge-POlitical Notes.


sized audience, and was characterized by the
closest attention to the speakers and quiet
enthusiasm, which indicates that the Republic
ans of that section of the city, as everywhere.
are thoroughly in earnest The Big Six Brass
Band and the Eureka Quartet furnished the
music incidental to the occasion. The meeting
was called to order by VIM f. Russell and W.
u. Furniss gave the following names as the Off
sers chosen for the meeting:
President-Rev. j. N. Harris.
Vice-presidents-A g. Porter G. s. Denny Rev H
u. Thompson, Henry Hart, Dr. Thomas n. Watson
Thomas Steward, Harvey Young Henry More Wal
ard. Ben Franklin, William Franklin Keean Prentiss
Ira Hawkins, Nathan Pierce Gen. J. r. Carnahan
sohn R. Pearson, Ed Harris. Charles Baughman. Al
len Simms, Charles A. Webb, Thomas Smith John
Wilson, Charles Lanier, George l.. Knox, DIR. S. A.
Ebert, John b. Elan, W. d. Mccoy, Frank D.
r. Bryce.
Secretaries-W. n. Furniss. Frank Welsh, Charles
Buchanan and Allen Smms.
President Harris then presented Senator Ben
Harrison as the first speaker of the evening.
President Harris is colored man, as were the
greater number of those present, and as Gen.
Harrison began his remarks, he said he would
hardly find it necessary, next day or at any
other time, to publish card IN the newspapers,
explaining that no disrespect to the white peo-
alton to that audience by his honored colored
brother. "And yet" said he, ''in State of the
South, the president of the labor associations
felt constrained to explain to the citizens of
Richmond that he did not mean any disrespect.
to the proud whites of that place when a colored
man introduced him TO audience. l am
glad there is no such sentiment in Indiana
we here recognize no distinctions of race, color
or creed. It is only in Democratic States where
men feel called upon TO apologize for having as
ISOLATED with them man of black skin. Yet
there is bid for the colored vote in Indianapo-
lis. The Democracy need him here This ac-
counts for the increased respect with which he Is
treated In Virginia they don't need him, and
In none of tho Southern States Is the negro vote
cultivated"
The Senator then went on to show that every
measure for prosecuting the war, every measure
for the redemption of the colored man had been
opposed by the Democratic party and dwelt
upon the action of the Indiana Legislature in OPP
posing the constitutional amendment that gave
to the colored man the right to vote.
He was glad the President who penned the
Proclamation of Emancipation was Republican
He did not claim that any limitation was put
upon any colored mans freedom of action by
that fact. He is free. That freedom involves
the right to vote the Democratic ticket, but
there is slavery to moral obligation. 1t is not
an irksome or CALLING one. sit puts shackes
upon us--every nan wears the shackles of duty
and obligation. We say of man he ought to
DO this, or he ought not to do that He is still
the better part, but he does it at the expense Of
duty If this proclamation had even been re-
ceived by the Democratic party with cheerful
acqniescence the colored man might perhaps
forget the fact that it Republican Presi-
dent that gave that, and the Republican
party that gave them equal rights as citizen s.
It was resisted as unconstitutional by all the
Democrats of the North and so declared in all
their platforms. am considering the question
whether the colored mans obligations of duty
and gratitude lie ia the direction of the Demo
cratic party whether the present interests of
the race lie in the domination of that party"
The Senator then spoke of Colonel Merrill.
s'Concerning our candidate for auditor, I speak
OF him as having been lieutenant-colonel of my
fegiment, a man whose qualities Of mind and
heart came to know very we'll by the close com
partnership OF the camp, where the mean points
or tho good in a man are all observed, and where
eomradeship and contact. day and night, bring
out the sterling qualities Of mans character
He was soldier from patriotism, notfrom any love
Of q frolic. He went to war as Cromwells men
did, in the fear of God. He was always ready
for every duty. courageous, faithful and kind
&c was conspicuous for his interest in the col
cred refugees who sought safety in our camp
and before the Presidents proclamation had
given them right to freedom. made his camp
an asylum for them. Lincoln's proclamation
was Inspiration, but it required the courage of
such men as Colonel Merrill to make it living
fact The Republican who grasses his name from
our ticket will live a long time before he gets a
chance to vote Tor better man. will not speak
IN detail of others, but can heartily and hon
sstly commend the whole ticket from top to bot
iom. 1t was selected with unusual care and
wisdom, and there is not bad spot in it."
Short speeches were made by Hon. A. G. Har-
ris, Colonel Merrill and Joseph Healing.
GRIFFITHs AND MORAY AT WEST NEWTON.
The addresses of John L. Griffths, candidate
for Representative, and John McCray, at West
Newton on Saturday evening" were listened to
By large, appreciative and enthusiastic audi
enCe. Mr.. Griffths devoted most of his time to
the discussion of the record of the Democratic
party since Mr., Cieveland's election, on the
question of civi-service reform. economy in the
administration of affairs, reduction Of tariff
duties. and the pension vetoes He took up the
Democratic platform of two years ago and called
attention to the numerous promises therein con-
tanned, and emphasized the fact that not single
one of the pledges had been redeemed. He proved
that the Democratic party had been wasteful
and extravagant In the use of the peoples money;
that it had degraded the civil service instead of
elevating it; that ii had increased the surplus in
the Treasury, instead Of reducing it, that It's for
eien policy had been to bully the weak and cringe
30 the strong powers; and that its threats
eerntng the tariff had paralyzed the industries of
the country. restraining capital from Investment
and withholding employment from deserving
men and women. The speech was thorough and
exhaustive, and received the undivided attention
and the cordial approval of all present.
Mr.. McCray discussed the State issues His
aenuncis ton of the treatment of the soldiers or
Dhans al the knightstowr home. and of the
abuses that prevail in the Insane Hospital met
with a warm response from the audience He
showed that Democrats. as we'll as Republicans
ahould have the manhood to rebuke the last an
portlonment bill, which attacks the integrity of
Che suffrage. The meeting was a success in ey-
cry way.
Phases of the Local Canvass.
An Office of Importance to the Democrats is
the criminal judgeship. It can be used in sew
eral ways to favor party desires if the judge is
inclined to wear the collar of the little boss as