San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-07-12
DRUMMERS FOR HARRISON.


Three Hundred Pay Their Respects
to the Next President.
From Special to the Inter Ocean.
INDIANAPOLIS, July About three
hundred commercial travellers, not
representing any particular Organlza-
ton of that guild, but acting IN their
individual capacity, called at the
Harrison residence tonight. They
were marshaled by +. II. Wolfe, Of
Nashville, who addressed the Cen
eral in neat speech, in response to
which Gen. Harrison said:
"Gen tlemen of the Commercial Trav-
elers' Association of Indiana, and Wis.,
iting friends: most heartily thank
you for this cordial manifestation of
your respect. 1t is to be expec-
ted, 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
gratifying to me that many of you
who differ with me in political opin-
ion, reserving your own opinions aud
choice, have come here tonight to ex-
press your qualification, personally,
that have been named by the, repub-
ican party as it's candidate for the
presidency. 1t is very pleasant
thing in politics, when this sort of tes-
timony is possible, and it is very
gratifying to me tonight to deserve it
at your hands. 1 do not know why
we cannot hold our political differ
ences with respect to each others
opinions, and with entire re-
spect for each other personally.
Our opinions upon the great questions
which divide parties ought not to be
held in such spirit of bigotry as will
prevent us from extending to politi-
cal opponent the concession of honesty
in his opinions and that personal re-
spect to which he may be entitled.
[Applause.] very much value this
visit from you, for think l know how
to estimate the commercial travellers
of America. 1 am not going to open
before you tonight any store of fiat
terry. I do not think there is any
market for it here. Laughter and
cries of "That's good."1 You know the
value of that commodity perfectly.
Laughter and continued applause.]
1 donOt mean to suggest at all that you
are dealers in it yourselves laughter in
your intercourse with your customers,
but do mean to say that your wide
acquaintance with men, that judy
ment of character, and even of moods
of men, which is essential to the sue
cessful prosecution of your business
makes you a very unprOmising
audience upon which to pass any
stale compliments. My memory goes
back to the time when there were no
commercial travellers. When 1 first
came to Indianapolis to reside, your
profession was not known. The re-
tail merchant went to the wholesale
house and made his selections there.
appreciate the fact that those who
successfully pursue your calling must
in the nature of things be masters of the
business in which you are engaged,
and possess great adaptability and a
high order of intelligence. 1 thank
you again for this visit, and give you
in return my most sincere respect and
regard. [Applause.l regret that
there is not room enough here for your
comfort Ia voice, ''There will be more
room in the white house." another,
ave will take your order now and
deliver the goods in November,"] but
shall be glad if any or all of you
will remain for better acquaintance
and less formal intercourse. [Great
applause and rousing cheers for the
next president.