The Portland daily press., 1888-10-18
SINGING FOR HARRISON.
Spontaneous Enthusiasm that Re-
calls the Days of 1910.
my. Mail and Exnress.l

IN. Y. Mail and Express.]
The singing Harrison and Morton clubs
are playing most important part in the
present campaign.
1t seems as though the campaign of 1910, of
"Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too," when songs
as well as speeches helped elect, as Presi-
dent, the grandfather of the present Repub-
lican candidate for the same Office is repeat
ing itself. 1t had been supposed that the
ballad and song formerly so potent in poll
tics, had had its day, but the large audiences
that attend the Harrison and Morton meet
ing where good singing is alternated with
good speaking proves that this is not so. q
One reason for the success of these meet
ings is that the campaign songs have been
set to airs familiar to all. There are few
who are not able to at least hum such old
time airs as John Browns Body" "March-
ing through Georgia." "Rally Round the
Flag, Boys, Tramp, Tramp, Tramp" or
dozen others which are used.
Probably the most unique of these clubs
where vocalism is leading feature, is that
which has daily meetings at No. 5 Broad
way, adjoining the headquarters of the Re-
publicans of the First Assembly district.
The singing club is the outcome of the eff
forts of that genial Republican, A. r. Whit
ney. This section of the city is the home of
hundreds of Irsh voters, and every Irish
man likes good singing. 1t is the stamping
ground, too, of 'longsho remen and of work.
ingmen of all sorts aud conditions and hum
dreds pass the headquarters every few min
utes. The club occupies large room on the
ground floor that will easily accommodate
1900 persons, and although the headquarters
have been but Just opened, they are too
small for the daily public meetings, which
last from $50 p m. to 4.30 p. m.
Taken altogether. the meeting Yesterday
afternoon was one of the most picturesque
and, at the same time, stirring political meet
ings that could probably be seen in any part
of New York city. 1t was in sense i'm
promptu, but If the enthusiasm had been
manufactured 1t could not have been so
spontaneous and hearty. Many of the men,
too, who were most enthusiastic were men
who, in the past, have been Democrats
The personnel of the meeting was such as
Is not usually seen. A wealthy merchant
from the Produce Exchange q block away
stood shoulder to shoulder with brawny
longshoreman whose cotton hook was thrust
in his belt. Clerks and street laborers sat
side by side. and in the background how
cred meditative prospective citizens, who
wondered what it was all about
A. X. Whitney himself, III snuff-colored
business suit, distributed pamphlet of
songs about, requested everybody to come
up to the front, stop smoking and sing. To
set good example, he sang himself, and at
the odd times when the other twelve hun
dred singers would give him a chance to be
heard he showed thathe was not "a bad singer
either.
Gentlemen" said Mr., Whitney, I'VE will
open with song No. in the pamphlet, and
in the meantime what is the matter with
Harrison?"
Twelve hundred men promptly and unani-
mously ventured the opinion that Harrison
is all right" Then they expressed further
opinion that whitney is all rights" and to
shut the thing off Whitney started the sing
ing. The first song has been sung before,
but it was sung with enthusiasm Just the
same. 1t was 1.-THE Battle has Just Begun"
and the air was John Browns, Body"
Here is one verse that was sung with will:
The Empire State in thunder tones repeats the
The Empire State is led by one whose name is
The Empire state with Morton hurls the towards
to the wall
AS we go marching on.-Chorus.
Hits at Cleveland seemed especially well
come, and the following veIse was greeted
with yociferous applause:
Inc collar of the Sheriff and the red bandana rag,
Inc shaekle of free traders and the Bourbon
o. party tag,
flag. e@'1 '''0"'" O"- S'
As we go marching on.-Cho.
This song was followed by Under the
ing through Georgia. and in this the foIIow-
ing verses were the favorltes:
Harrison the soldier fought in MANY a.mort., tra,,.
Gray ~
Fishing, though, he never went on Decoration
Under the banner Protection.