Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-06-21
THE FIRST DAY.
The Republican National Conven-
ton Called to Order by Chair
man Jones.
His Discourse on Protection and the
Principles of the Party-Thurs-
toms Address.
How the Mention of Blaine's Defamation
Was observation-disclosures and William
Warner.

CHICAGO, June 19-There was no indica
tion in the great Auditorium short time
before the convention was called to order
of the great crush outside. The delegates
and those who held seats were being di-
rected to their seats. The doors were not
opened until all Of the interior arrange
nients were completed and the crowd was
kept waiting until two large bouquets OF
cut flowers and floral shield were being
nailed upon the chairman's desk which
bears in Greek letters the inscription:
James a. Garfield was nominated from this
desk in 1880 and James G. Blaine was nominated
from this desk in 1884,
The air of the hall was delightful, and
although large number of the spectators,
as they come in, had fans in their hands,
they found no practical use for them.
The first of the delegates to reach their
seats were those from Ohio, led by Congress.
men Mckinley and Butterworth. McKin-
ley, who is much talked of as dark horse,
was recognized by few OF the spectators in
the gallery and got cheer or two, which,
however, was short-lived.
The Michigan delegation followed the
Ohio men, coming in as body and filled
up their block of seats on the front of the
second aisle. The rest of the delegations
then came in, followed by spectators in
immense numbers.
Precisely at 1890 the gavel of Chairman
Jones, chairman of the National Committee,
sounded sharply on the mahogany desk and
the Republican convention OF 1888 was
formally opened. The hum Of conversation
ceased throughout the vast Auditorium and
the buzz of expectation gave place to an
impressive silence as the chairman intro
duced Rev. Frank w. Gonsalus of the
Plymouth Congregational Church, Of Chi
cago, who opened the proceedings with
prayer. In an impressive manner he in
voked the divine protection and care for
the soldier and the captain of our armies
who lay so near death.
At the conclusion of the prayer Chair
man Jones announced that the secretary.
Mr.. Fessenden, of the National Committee,
would read the call for the convention is
sued by the National Committee. Allusions
IN the call to the position of the party upon
the tariff question, to the determination of
the party to have a fair election and an
honest count and to other salient points,
were warmly applauded by the conven-
tion.
Upon the conclusion of the reading of the
call, Chairman Jones stepped to the front
Of the platform and spoke as follows:
The Republican party may well be congratu-
lated through its representatives here as
sembled upon the suspicious prospect that lies
before it, Wise and courageous action by this
convention will surely lead to victory in the
campaign upon which we are about to enter.
There can be no doubt as to which side the
great majority OF voters will fall if each party
10
ments OF the Republican party be appreciated
and the utter failure of the Democratic party
understood
The two parties are Numerically opposite to
each other. One favors progression; the other,
retrogression. One lifts up; the other casts
down. Thanks to Mr.. Cleveland and his South
ern allies, the Democratic party has thrown OF
he disguise in which it has heretofore fought
its battles in the Northern States and has
boldly declared for British free trade and
against American protection. This avowal has
caused much adulation in certain sections Of
this country and in all Of England, which has,
from the beginning, been hostile to the indus
trial progress of the United States; but it has
fallen heavily on the ears Of the patriotic por-
ton OF the Democratic party.
However. We must not expect that this is
the end of dishonest pretenses. Deceit, falla-
cies and sophistry will again be resorted to and
practiced. Therefore, we should have q plat
form based upon true Republican principle
free from eQuivocation or ambiguity. and should
nominate candidates who are the embodiment
of these principles. The founders Of this Gov
eminent saw that it was absolutely essential
for self-preservation that the original thir-
teen States should become united, for the
purpose of protection and defense against
alien acts and influences, as well as for econom-
ical and effective government. One of the
first facts of the Federal Government was to
provide for revenue and for the protection Of
the industrial interests of the country. All our
early Presidents, from Washington to Jackson
inclusive, advocated tariff for revenue and
fer protection. All OF the great and patriotic
statesmen OF those days conceded in this policy
No man Of note who was a lover of his country
down to Jackson's first term entertained and
expressed doubts as to the constitutionality or
policy of protection to the industries of the
United States against foreign competition.
The tariff question was not considered the
one embracing solely or chiefly the manufacture
ers' interests, but one which broadly embraced
the social condition Of the laboring classes, the
mutual interests OF all home producers in the
home market and Of tie countrys real indie
pendence.
After relating the history of the alleged
alliance of the South with English manu-
facturers under the Administration of Van
man Jones continued:
The Republican party vsnquished the Demo
cratic party, passed the Homestead law, de-
stroyed slavery. elevated the 'mudsills o. re-
stored credit, redeemed the country and started
it anew on the lines contemplated by the
fathers. To-day we occupy a much higher
plane faAn any other people on the face OF the
globe. ne Republican party believes that it
is not necessary or right that we should be re-
.duced to q coasnaon level with other nations;
gut shat we shoulS have the full benefit of all
our natural advantages and the full enjoyment
of ossr glorious heritage.
The logical consequences OF the theories of
the Demecratic party would have left this
country VITA but q fringe Of population on the
water ways. Many Of the leading Bourbon
Democrats of to-day look upon the magnificent
developments and the grand improvements OF
the r alton, which are simply labor. genius and
management crystaliEed. as . rank unnatural
and uuHhosssnS1s s.axth- snd believe that