Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1888-09-13
GRAND DEMONSTRATION
REPUBLICANS ATTHE OPERA
HOUSE.
Parade Followed by u Speech
From Hon. William Wal
ter Phelps.

"A Parade Followed by u Speech
From Hon. William Wal
ter Phelps.
The Republican demonstration Sept.
9th, at the Opera House was fitting
| finale of the greatest day in the history
of this city. 1t was an enthusiastic
gathering that crowded every nook in
the great big house, and for two hours
they sat and stood and listened to an
argument for protection by that grea t
statesman and gentleman, William
Walter Phelps.
just before the doors of the Opera
House were opened, the sound of mar
tial music was heard and amid the
blaze and glare of torches procession
of some six hundred marching Repub-
licans moved through the principal
streets. The line was headed by the
Sixth Regiment Band of Camden, and
followed the Young Mems Republi-
can club of Camden, with gay suits
and torches, then Colored Pioneer
Corps Of Camden; bringing up in the
rear were the Young Republican Pho
neer Corps of this city under the COM
mand of Capt. Sam Rogers, who pre-
sented fine appearance as they
moved off.
AT the Opera House the enthusiasm
knew no bounds. Upon the egayly dec
GRATED stage sat members of the Harri-
son and Morton club and number of
gray headed veterans Of 1910. Shortly
after eight o'clock President Robbins
came upon the platform followed by
the Hon. William Walter Phelps, and
an enthusiastic welcome was accorded
him. In neat speech Mr.. Robbins
introduced the speaker, as an illus
trious citizen, a great statesman, and
New Jerseys favorite son.
The honorable gentleman then took
the floor, and for two hours held the
attention of the vast audience closely,
and his strong arguments brought out
in favor of that policy which will con-
tinue the prosperity OF the United
States, were received with applause
that was loud and long. Mr.. Phelps
for a few minutes spoke of his feelings
toward Cumberland county; how he
had wished for years for the oppor-
tunity that last night was accorded
him, of meeting face to face with the
citizens of Cumberland county. He
then warmed into his subject. He said
he did not have to come like orators
of old and repeat the same old story
of the grand work of the Republican
party. That was now matter OF his
tory, and tho Republican orator had
only one issue to discuss in this cam-
paign, and that personally touched
every human being who lived on this
side of the water. He delved into the
Presidents message of last winter,
when that official threw down the
gauntlet in unmistakable terms, chal-
lenging the protection forces and favor
ing free trade. He did it not by the con-
sent and advice of his party, but single
handed and alone, and in such distinct,
clean, pointed arguments, that now,
although he had seen his mistake, he
with his party were endeavoring to
hedge, and make the people believe
that the President had never said what
he really did say.
This was the battle, aud upon that
line, the distinguished speaker con-
fined himself, and without bitterness
or sarcasm, showed the mistakes of the
Democracy and the excellent argu-
ments of the Republican party against
the measures proposed by Cleveland.
1t would be impossible in our limited
space, to tell the story as he gave il,
and unfair to present one argument
without them all, so closely were they
interlinked The force of one was the
force OF them all, and they were clean
cut and convincing. He enlightened
his audience upon the great question,
as only man of his ability can do,
and strengthened the resolve of the
followers oil the party of Lincoln,
Grant and Garfield, to go on to VIC
tory, and made doubtful Democrats
who We're present, feel that their
doubts were well founded, and that in
their own interests they would be
obliged to break loose from u party
that would stab the industry OF the
country fatal blow. At the conclu-
sion of the speech, the crowd gave
prolonged applause, and three cheers
for Harrison, Morton and Bergen.
The watch sharp who scooped in
about 800 of our citizens cash, made