The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-24
STEWART |. NOODFORD.
His Eloquent Speech at the A.
hambra Rink last Night.
REPUBLICAN PROTECTION
And Democratic Free Trade Strongly
contrasted-All the Free Traders
for CIcvcland-why he is for
tho System of Protection.

The Republican mass meeting held al
the Alhambra rink in the Eighth ward
last evening, and addressed by General
Stewart l.. Woodford, of New York, one
of the most noted and eloquent orators
in the country, was like other meetings
held here in former campaigns and ad'
dressed by General Woodford, a nota'
BILE and memorable gathering. 1t was
one OF the largest political gatherings
ever held on the South Side. Consider
ing the weather, which was very dis
agreeable, and the fact that there was
another big Republican meeting in pro-
gress at the Opera House, where the
speaker was q prominent and
popular champion OF Protection,
the Alhambra rink meeting was a won.
derful one. The audience numbered
about fifteen hundred; had it not been
for the unpleasant weather and the Dal.
zell meeting, the full capacity of the
building, about six thousand, would
in all likelihood have been tested. There
were people in the audience who had
made their way through rain and mud
from Martins Ferry on the north and
Benwood on the south, to hear this gift.
ed md brilliant man talk. Every ward
was represented, and there were none
who listened to his eloquence but who
felt more than repaid for the discomiorts
experienced in getting to the place. Gen.
Woodford was delighted with his audi
enCe and they were charmed by him.
The reception given him was most cor.
dial one; he was welcomed as IN old
friend. He talked to his listeners in a
way that reused genuine enthusiasm in
every patriotic breast. He did not ap-
peal to passions or prejudices. He
talked Us an American proud OF his
country and confident for its future
greatness. His talk was practical and
full of solid facts and argu-
ments, plainly and terseiy put and
yet his presentation of those facts and
arguments, though plain and easily up-
derstood, was clothed in such rythmic
flow OF language that his talk was verit-
ably one continuous Protection song.
To try to give anything like an adequate
synopsis Of his remarks would be futile
undertaking. Even a verbatim report
would fail to do General Woodford JUS
tice, for it would lack that easy dignity
and graceful self-possession that marks
his delivery and makes it almost as
much pleasure to watch him as to lis
ten to him.
TILE MEETING OPENED.
The General reached the rink accom-
panied by Chairman Whitehead OF TIE
County Committee, and .wo or three
other gentlemen shortly after s o'clock.
Tho rain and the horrible condition OF
the streets caused the escort OF the
plumed Knights to be dispensed with.
As soon as the General entered the big
rink ne was recognized and cheered. No
time was lost in arranging preiiminaries.
Mr.. Whitehead mounted the stage and
announced thatProf.F F n. .Crago had been
chosen to net as president OF the meet
ing and Messrs. Charles Eschstruth,
Spaulding X. Wallace, ]. T. McCready,
Frederick Bechendorf, w. II. Travis,
Edward Williams, John Wayman, Henry
Dannenburg, A. @. F. Ebeling and
President Il. NJ. Gilleland, OF the Second
Branch OF Council, as vice presidents.
These gentlemen took their seats on the
platform and Prof. Crago in few words
presented General Woodford, who was
cheered enthusiastically.
In opening the General said: zone
OF the most interesting meetings ever
addressed and one that shall never for
get so long as memory endu-es to carry
me back to pleasures of the past, was
one held in this thriving city in 1880.
We met each other then for the first
time on the river bank when the steam
ers load and unload and from where
could be seen the red fires of
the furnaces up and down the
river, beacon.ights pointing to
what Protection had done for the
Ohio Valley. The full moon swung up
over the eastern hills and made her way
to the zenith, lighting up your earnest
faces. / can still hear the ripple OF the
gently flowing Ohio, and remember
that | then felt deep down in my heart,
that it was only a question OF q few
years-that it must be a question OF
short time, till West Virginia, the first
child OF the restored Union, would be
found in the Republican column where
she rightfully belongs. [Applause and
cheering.]
FORMER VISITS HERE.
"Four years ago came here and found
that you had moved up and had your
faces to the State House. Your earnest
ness then renewed the feeling in my
heart and the faith in me grew stronger