Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-08
The "DrummerS" Call to Offer Con.
gratulations Irrespective of
Party Affiliations.
The General Addresses Them in a Short
Witty Speech, Which is Enthusi-
aStically Received.
Sensational Elopement in High Life at st.
Louis Creating a Decided SenSa-
ton - Foreign News
Sporting.

INDIANAPOLIS, July About three hun
dred commercial travellers, not represent
| ing any particular organization of that
guild but acting in their individual capac-
ity, called at the Harrison residence to-
night. They were marshalled by Z. II.
Wolfe, of Rushville, who addressed the
general in neat little speech, in response
to which General Harrison said:
Gentlemen of the Commercial Travellers
Association of Indiana and visiting friends
| i most heartily thank You for this
most cordial manifestation of your
respect. 1t is to be expected when
one has been named for Office by one of the
great parties, that those who are in accord
| with him in his political convictions will
show their interest in the campaign which
he represents, but it is particularly graft
| flying to me that many of you who differ
with me in political opinion, reserving
your own opinions and choice, have come
| hero tonight to express your qualification,
personally, that have been named by the
| Republican party as it's candidate for the
presidency. 1t is a very pleasant thing IN
politics when this sort of testimony
flying to me tonight to re-
ceive it at your hands. 1 do not
know why we cannot hold our political
differences with respect to each others
opinions and with entire respect for each
other personally. Our opinions upon the
great questions which divide parties ought
not to he held in such spirit Of b;gotry
as will prevent us from extending to a
political opponent the concession OF hon
esty in his opinion and that personal re-
spect to which he may be entitled. Ap-
plause | very much value this visit from
you, for think |. know how to estimate
the commercial travellers of America. [
~ As,,N -
any store of fattery. l do not
think there is any market for
it here. Laughter and cries of that's
good" and cheersl You know the value
of that commodity perfectly. Laughter
and continued applausel. l do not mean
to suggest at all that you are dealers i'll 1t
yourselves Laughter in your intercourse
with your customers, but do mean to say
that your wide acquaintance with men,
that judgment of character, and even of
the moods of men, which is essential to
the successful prosecution of your bust
ness, makes you very unpromlSlng audi
ence upon which to pass any stale compli
ments. My memory goes back to the time
when there were no commercial travellers.
When l first came to Indianapolis
to reside your profession was not known.
The retail merchant went to the wholesale
house and made his selections there. l
appreciate the fact that those who success
fully pursue your calling must in the
nature of things, be masters of the bust
ness in which you are engaged and possess
great adaptibility and high order of in
telligence. 1 thank you again for this
visit and give you in return my most sin
cere respect and regard. Applause.
l regret that there is not
room enough here for your comfort. A
voce-''there will be more room in the
white house," another-"we will take our
order and deliyer the goods next Novem-
ber''] but shall be g al if any or all of
you will remain for better acquaintance
and less formal intercourse. Great ap-
plause and rousing cheers for the next
president.
Ram was falling and as many of the
callers as could be accommodated entered
the house and remained for some time
shaking hands with the general and par
taking of refreshments.