The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-11


grathca of that instant when I saw the
shores OF the great Republic. cannot tell you
how deeply grateful am to be remembered in
this manner by You and these assembled gentle
men. 1t is scene shall never forget. 1t is
an occasion which I assure you / appreciate
from the depth Of my heart 1t is shadowed
only by the sad event which greets us as the
brat piece OF American news We heard of-the
death OF General Sheridan, man who was
above party and stood for the union of the
States. lShouts Of Good.1 With tina. excep-
ton my arrival upon my native shore was unat-
tended by anything but Joy and happiness.
Ihe campaign on which you are about to en-
ter should be prefaced. IL that we're possible. by
every voter In the United States seeing what
have seen Good Good. and hearing what
have heard during the last year. Applsuse.
The progress Of the campaign in the United
States 10 viewed from the European standpoint
with an interest as profound az it 10 In tae
United States. 1t is the opportunity of Eng
land. It is the lone-looked-tor occasion upon
which the cheaper labor and the cheaper fabrics
OF the old world expect to invade the new and
lower the wages of American workinRmen to
the European standard. (Great applausel II
isal; is not q contest OF partisan against
partisan. 1t is mach higher than
either OF these. Il transcends all party
motive [Applause Whether the great mass
or American citizens who earn their bread by
the sweat OF their brow. shall be seriously re
duced in their emoluments from day to day
lappausel-that is the whole pith and moment
OF this question. Anything that diverts the
question from that single point is a weakening
OF the campaign. lApplause and cries of 'Good'I
elaboration loud cheering. and cries Of That's
what We want'l, l say here that the wages of the
American laborer cannot be reduced except with
the consent and the votes OF the American
laoorsr himself. The appeal lies to him. II
comes to his door and asks him whether, with
the great power of the franchise, and the great
majority he possesses in his own hands, be is
willing, for himself and his associates. his chill
dren and his childrens children, to take that
fatal step at the bidding of an American Con-
gress aud an American President which sre
governed by that element which sought to de-
stroy this Nation.
But, gentlemen. It Is not time tor . polit-
icsl speech. My heart 10 too full to enter at
ment Of welcome and jov, getting home to old
scenes and old friends. must be allowed to en-
JOY the pleasant emotions Of the occasion. can
only add my fervent thanks to each and every
member of the club. and to all my friends, for
the generous and joyous welcome they have ex-
tended to me in the harbor of New York"
While Mr.. Blaine was speaking the cabin was
packed to its utmost limits. aud heads were
thrust In through the windows from the deck
without, eager to hear every word spoken. The
greatest ENTHUSIASM prevailed. and every point
made was quickly seized and cheered. An out
burst Of cheering followed the conclusion of the
brief speech. Mr. Blaine was escorted into the
ladies' saloon. where he received . number Of
his friends. In little while he assembled to the
saloon on the upper deck, where be received the
congratulations OF all, having . pleasant word
for all who greeted him. While there he was
handed an address by Edward Fitz William, of
in ornaura pro-
tectivs Union Of Massachusetts. as follows:
Welcome home, James G. Blaine. from far foreign
Thy country too long did thy absence deplore.
Strange gods are being worshipped strange methods
And time-bonored means are ignored or destroyed.
To Congress partisan plea has been sent.
A plea that no patriot mind could invent.
Welcome home, welcome hcme, to thy own beloved
We need thy assistance and council once
Welcome home james G. Blaine, to this land Of the
Our hearts with our hands go out warmly to thee
Though not standard-bearer, thy words will prevail
'Ganst those who our industries falsely assail
longer shall wrong bear the semblance OF right,
l.3S sinister motives be hidden from sight.
Eoi.spring free-traders are trembling with fear,
OF the words that thy people are longing to hear
Welcome home James G. Blaine, from those bayone..
Where have to cringe when tyrant commands.
Oh. tell as your views of the sights YOU have seen,
And the price peopie pay to be ruled by queen
Do the signs OF the times show a twinkle OF hope
That the people will some day with tyranny copel
Shall American ideas prevail Ger the main,
Or shall we surrender to England aga.nf
To prince welcome royal was given.
Free widespread, spontaneous, like dewdrops from
heaven.
From millions Of freemen is raised but one voice
To welcome thee home and bid thee rejoice
The fight for protection, on land and on sea,
VIII gain new life and new impulse from thee
From the Pacifc's shore to the confines of Maine
Swells one wide welcome home to our own James G.
Blaine
He was also presented with an address by
Murat Halstead. representing the Young Mems
Blaine Club. of Cincinnati. as follows
ION the occasion Of your return to country
that is proud Of you q son-a country that
you have worthily represented among the lowly
aud the great Of Europe. the Young Mems
Blaine Club. of Cincinnati. O., send their greet
iugs aud congratulations. We love you, SIR for
your briiancy in leadership auc for your strong
humanity. We congratulate You upon the
grand demonstration Of intelligent Joy that will
certainly distinguish the occasion OF your land
ing upon your native shores. These demonstra-
tons will come upon you with a spontaneity and
unanimity that will convince you these are
90 idle words; that will tell you of
hearts and Intelligence Of this great people.
And. sir. We congratulate you that you como
back to the great Republican party OF this coun-
try, equipped to direct its leaders to the path
that shall lead them to victory, to sound the
keynote OF the campaign that shall end in the
success Of our distinguished national candidates.
We congratulate you. and tho Democratic party,
and the people at large that God has spared you
to bring back to all your ripe intelligence, re-
inforced by the elsanings OF your analytical OBJ
servation of events and conditions in many
countries. We congratulate ourselves that
there is spared for Us, and returned to Us, the
master mind that in December last hurled back
upon the leader Of the Democracy the gratui-
tously advanced heresy Of free trade and ruin.
You come, sir, to blaze their way for q new
triumphal march of the Republican party and
the people The Young Mems Blaine Club. Of
Cincinnati, the irst and strongest of its name,
whose motto is Vim, Vigor and Victory well
comes you home"
To . reporter Mr. Blaine said that he did not
know whether be wonld go on to Maine to night
or not He did not know what arrangements
had been made for him. When told that the
Irish-Americans proposed to serenade him TO-
right and present an address, he replied "Thats
all right I'm glad of it," AS TO what part he
would take in the campaign Mr.. Blaine said he
could say nothing at present. He did not think
he would go outside the State OF Maine until
after the State election there, on the second
Monday in September When asked about bis
health he at frst said he was perfectly well, and
then added lauehingly: That's . question
have not answered in three years" To ques-
tion as to the political aspect, his reply wss that
he did not care to say anything then, further
than he had said in his speech.
w. II. II. Miller, the law partner OF General
Harrison. was cordially greeted, and Mr.. Blaine