Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-08-16

of the City of New York, Mr.. Blaine's face
and form were plainly visible to every one
on board. Cheer after cheer broke forth,
handkerchiefs and flags were waived,
cries of "Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine"
and mo free trade" arose, and the utmost
enthusiasm prevailed.
At last at 9:l5 O'Clock, TO the music of
'Hail to the Chief" Mr.. Blaine got on
board the Starin, escorted by Whitelaw
Reid and Nr. Pool.
Mr.. Bartlett delivered the speech of well
come.
Mr.. Blaine said in reply:
Mr.. President and gentlemen of the Repub-
lican CLUB and fellow citizens: To enable you
10 appreciate this welcome each and every one
of you should be absent from home for the
long period of fourteen months. am sure you
can have but little conception of the inspiration
i had when 1 saw the great shores OF this
Republic. j can not tell you how grateful L
am TO be remembered by you in this manner.
1t is scene shall never forget. 1t is an occa-
sion which 1 assure you appreciate from the
depths of my heart. II is shadowed only by
the sad event which greeted US. AS the first
piece of American news We heard of the death
OF General Sheridan, a man who was above re-
proach and stood bTayely for the union OF the
States [Shouts of Good
With that exception my arrival upon my ma
tive shore was unattended by any thing but
JOY and happiness.
The campaign on which you are about to en-
ter should be prefaced, if that were possible, by
every voter in the United States seeing what 1
have seen t''Good good, and hearing what
have heard during the past year. LApplause.l
The progress of the campaign in the United
States is viewed from the European stand
point with an interest as profound as it is in
the United States 1t is the opportunity OF
England. 1t is the long looked for occa ion
upon which the cheaper labor and the cheaper
fabrics OF the old world expect to invade the
new and lower the wages of the new world to
those Of the old. lApplause.l
1t is not a contest of capital against capital;
il is not a contest OF partisan against partisan.
II is much higher than either OF these. 1t
transcends all party motive [Applause.l
Whether the great mass Of American
citizens who earn their bread by the
sweat of their brow shall be so reduced in
the emolument from day TO day-lapplause]-
that Is the whole pith and moment of this Ques
ton Any thing that diverts the question from
that single point is weakening of the cam
paign. Applause and cries of ''Good.'l say
here what hope to say with much more elab-
oration-lloud cheering and cries OF That's
what we want'l-I say here that the wages of
the American laborer can not be reduced ex-
cept with the consent and the Votes Of the
American laborer himself.
The appeal lies 10 him. It comes 10 his door
and asks him whether, With the great power of
the franchise and the great majority he pos
sesses in his own hands, he is willing for him
self and his associates, his children and his
children's children to take that fatal step at the
bidding of an American Congress and Amer
lean President. who are governed by that ele-
ment which sought to destroy this Nation
But, gentlemen, il is not 4 time for political
speech Ny heart is too full TO enter ut this
time on heightened arguments In this mo-
ment OF JOY. getting home to old scenes ana
TO old friends, must be allowed to enjoy the
pleasant emotions Of the occasion. 1 can only
add my fervent thanks to each and every men,
Der 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 crowded TO its utmost limits and ears
stuck through the transoms with eageYness
to hear every word. The greatest enthu-
siasm prevailed. An outburst of cheering
followed the conclusion of his brief speech.
Mr.. Blaine said he and his family en-
joyed the trip over and that it was on the
whole pleasant one.
The Starin meanwhile was steaming ND
the North river, with the band playing
and its passengers indulging in frequent
cheers for Blaine. All along the river it
was escorted by the police boat and other
vessels, while constant yell of salutes
from the steam whistles of the boats it
passed, marked its progress to the pier at
Twenty and North river, where Mr..
Blaine and all on board disembarked. The
police landed from the patrol and pre-
served o der, while others already sta
toned at the entrance to it prevented the
large crowd waiting in the street from surg
ing in. Mr.. Blaine YVES escorted to an open
carriage by Messrs. Pool and Bartlett, of
the Republican Club, and was at once
driven to the Fifth Avenue Hotel, where
rooms had been engaged for him.