Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-10-25
The Day at lndlanapo,ss.

Inc Day at Indianapolis
General Harrison was visited on the 18th
by large delegation of German-American
Republicans from Chicago and by the
Young Mems Republican Club Of Milwau-
kee. Mr.. William Woke, on behalf of the
German-American Club of Chicago, ad-
dressed the General as follows:
Mt. voCKs's ADDRESS.
GENERAL HARRISON: We, the representa-
tives OF the German Republicans of Chicago
and the West are here to-day to greet you as
the standard-bearer OF the Republican party,
and to declare 10 you that the German Repub-
licans are with you heart and soul in ID S cam
paign. We are with you because you repre-
sent the cause Of American labor and pro-
tection TO those industries which have made
the United States so great power in the COM
mercial world We are with you because you
are our leader. A German Republican is Re-
publican TO the very core Of his being. He has
become a Republican by political evolution
which leaves no room for apathy. Between US
and you there is bond OF sympathies which
makes US all kin. We watch your incomings
and outgoings with great solicitude. We read
with pride the wise words you have spoken.
We admire your modest and dignifed
course. We have only highest praise for
your splendid record as soldier and
statesman. Above all, you are a Republican,
staunch and true. We as Germans hoEor you
ship. this patriotism. Heart and soul We are
with you in the pending struggle. A thinking
man needs only to examine the political plat
form upon which you stand to be convinced
that il is for the welfare OF the Republic that
you should be elected. Cur labor must be pro-
tected. The Republican platform promises
that. Our industries must be fostered. The
Republican platform promises that. The rights
OF every citizen under the constitution must
be assured 10 him beyond all question. The
Republican platform promises that The Re
publican platform guarantees a free ballot and
an indissoluble union of the States. It Is hos
tile to the introduction OF foreign contract
labor and Chinese labor as alien to our cvliza-
ton and our constitution. II is opposed 70 all
combinations OF capital organized in trusts TO
control arb trarily the conditions OF trade. 1t
asks that the public DOMAIN be reserved for the
American citizen who is seeking for himself a
home. IL urges a manly foreign policy by
which the standard OF American citizenship
shall be maintained. 1t desires reduction of
the surplus, the sovereignty of the Nation
against Mormonism and polygamy and an i'm
proved civil service. Finally it demands an
compromising protection. These are the
main features OF the platform on which our
party makes one OF the greatest fights in its
history. The Republican party never halls
when it has problem to solve. It did not halt
q moment before one OF the most stupendous
obstacles that ever confronted any party in
any nation-the war OF the rebellion, in which
you, sir, and L and numbers OF those about me
participated and IN which you by your personal
bravery made your place in the military his
tory of the Nation. So on the question of
American labor it grapples the situation with
the same vigorous hand and promises to do for
the toiler what it did for the slave. If it comes
to a question between fair wages for the home
worker and the affiuence of the foreign manu-
facturer, is II not strange that there should be
Americans who are blind to the best interests
OF American working-me No true Repub-
lican will ever consent TO a sacrifice of the
rights OF American labor for the benefit
of O foreign manufacturer. No true Re-
publican will support any measure which
means lower wages and the degradation
OF the American laborer. 1t is the mission of
the Republican party to build up and not to
pull down The Republican party built upon a
surer foundation the sisterhood OF the States
when secession and treason sought to destroy
it. That party snatched from the chains of
bondage the oppressed negro. 1t can do no
more to-day than to prevent the impoverish-
mem OF our industries and TO save the American
workman. Its mission Of 1861 was a noble one
Then the wisdom of our party guided the Gov
eminent through the darkness Of threatened
adversities. Its mission in 1888 is none the less
imposing. To save the Government from
treachery was mighty act. To save the in
dustries of the Nation and to perpetuate the
wisdom OF our earlier statesmen, which gave
us a National wealth second TO none in the
world is none the less mighty. Peace hath its
victories no less renowned than war. 1t is a
great act TO crush q rebellion and on its
ruins to erect a more enduring republic.
It is a great act, when the lowering clouds
OF war have passed away, to beat our swords
into plowshareS and spears into
pruning -hooks, and with them TO make Ameri-
can citizenship the most ennobling in the
world. This protection has done for us We,
as German Republicans, protest against its de-
struction. The welfare of the American cit
liens must be assured. 1t is with peculiar
pride that we call ourselves German Republic
ans. 1t is an honor to be Republican. No
party that ever was organized carries a name
so grandly and so unstained as ours. And as
Germans we are proud OF the fact that in our
service TO that party We have never been
found wanting. Nine-tenths of the German
voters in the country were loyal to the cause
OF ReDublicanism when the party was in its
cradle and when secession was the battle cry
OF our opponents. In the Dloodiest of our civil
wars there was the German to help sustain the
glory OF the stars and stripes He willingly
gave his life 10 preserve the institutions of The
Republic. Is there not in the history OF our
civil war plenty OF testimony to the valor of
German blood! Wherever there is list of
Union dead there you Will find the name of the
German soldier To fight for his couutry, be
it native or adopted is 10 the German q priv
ilege. And he is proud to enroll his name
under the banner of party which
gave birth to such men as Charles Sumner,
William II. Seward Edwin NJ. Stanton. John
Logan, Ulysses S Grant, and besides host
of others, living and dead, to the Hottest of
them ALL that majestic type of the true Ameri-
can spirit Abraham Lincoln. That sir, is the
party for the Germans We honor it for its
glorious achievements in behalf of human
liberty q N oil Re "
are yet unfought and will give our best
energies in its efforts 10 achieve
higher plane of American manhood Let
US assure you, General Harrison, Of the
unQuenchable loyalty of the German Re
publicans throughout the great West
70 you and the principles which are typified in
your candidacy. Your cause is the cause Of
the country. 1t is founded in the interests and
affections of the people 1T is as native the
granite deeply em5osomed in our mount
aims" Hence We come here to pledge our
hearty and affectioDate support to you, firmly
convinced that the people will be led TO
greater happiness and loftier glories through
the election of General Benjamin Harrison.
GENERAL HARRIsoN'S REPLY.
Ny friends of the German American Repuo-
lican Club. Of Chicago, and of the Young Mems
Club. OF Milwaukee, and my home German
friends, am very grateful for the kind words
you have addressed to me- The long journey |
most OF you have taken upon this Indictment
day TO tender your respects to me, as the can |
didate Of the Republican party is very con- |
vincirg evidence that you believe this civil |
contest to be no mock TO your names, but a real |
and decisive battle for great principles. IGreat |
applause.l My German-American friends, you |
are a home-loving people. Father, mother, |
wife, child, are words that TO you have very |
full and very tender meaning. Applause. The |
old father and mother never outline the venera- |
ton and love of the children in a German house |