Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-02-13

| the head OF the list Of those who sent letters
OF regret were Robert T. Lincoln, Gen J. C,
Fremont, Hannibal Hamlin, r. B, Hayes
Mr. Waite, Governor Foraker George F.
Hoar, T. b. Reed, B. f. Jones, Senator
Frank Hiscock, Governor Oglesby, Senator
ingalls,, Whitelaw Reid Governor Beaver,
| Judge Gresham aud II. A. Alger
| The hall was handsome ly decorated, among
| the decorations being a number of banners
carried in the first Lincoln campaign. A
| large portrait Of President Lincoln, tastefully
draped, occupied a prominent place An
elaborate menu was served.
Mr. Edward 7. Bartlett, the president OF
the club who presided, called the diners to
order at $3.50 O'Clock. In brief speech he
declared that the recent convention OF clubs,
representing all that is honorable and manly
in politics, had produced degree of party
organization never before equaled, and con-
cuded with tribute to the memory of Lin
coin Then followed the reading of the let
tiers of regret When the name of Gov.
Foraker was reached there was outburst
of applause that actually deafening.
The toast abraham Lincoln" was re-
sponded to by Senator Evarts, who, in the
convention of 1860, had moved to make the
nomination of Lincoln unanimous. He said:
II am proud to be numbered with the menu
bers of this club and to take part in this
tribute to Abraham Lincoln. Where can we
find fame like hsf His is a fame like that
Of Washington, and his career reflects upon
Illinois glory like that which Washington
gave to Virginia. Senator Evarts briefly
outlined the career of Lincoln. ale was the
leader, not of party, but of nation that
had risen to shake off the encumbrances that
bound it limbs, said Evarts Though with
out an army or navy that nation was able,
as it would be again, to arraign on sea and
land obi 70 xsgftl h,
armies of the world And Lincoln lived to
see peace over subjugated, not a compro
missed, rebellion. [Applause.l 1t matters lit
tie what we say here, but it mattered much
what as done there. There was nothing left
in the stages of greatness but that this chosen
leader should be martyr [applausel and
that he should have been stricken down on
Good Friday, as the martyr of liberty, adds
10 his glory" Senator Evarts prophesied the
speedy return of tue Republican party to
power, and closed with further eulogy OF
Lincoln.
"The Republican Party" was responded to
by Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin He re.
viewed its career at some length from its
inception to the present time, and attributed
its defeat in 1854 to the mugwumps. The |
issues at present, he said, were not confined |
to free ballot and civil service REFORM but
also included the protection of American |
industry and labor The Democrats had |
avowed themselves in favor of free trade, |
and the only remedy is an old time Repub-
lcan majority, and that remedy would I'M
doubtedly be administered in the coming |
campaign.
Senator Sherman had been put down for |
the last speech, but owing to his not feeling |
well he was next called upon. He responded |
to the toast of "A free ballot and fair |
count He said that free ballot was the
basis of liberty. Grover Cleveland had even
dwelt upon that subject in one of his mes
sages but not in the last [laughterl; that was
devoted to paving the way for another cam
pagn. He declared that if there had been a
free ballot and a fair count in 1884 James G.
Blaine would have been elected. Tremendous
applause.l He charged the Democrats with
corrupting the ballot not only in the south
but throughout the north, and predicted that
If the Republicans did not do their duty in
the matter the Democrats would break down
the industries of the country.
Senator Miller spoke next. his toast being
"The State of New York" He dwelt upon
the greatness of the Empire state, and eulo-
gized the Republican party. ",lhe Union
Soldier" was responded to 10y Senator John
f. Henderson, of Nebraska. He was very
severe Oh President Cleveland's pension ve-
toes. He characterized the pension list as a
roll of honor and patent list of nobility
Congressman Mckinley spoke upon "The
Tariff" "rha Surplus" was responded to by
Senator Allison