The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-06-16
The Democracy.

as the leaders or the Democracy 10 Vic'ory
in November next. The crowds began going
into the park at eight clock, following the
strains Of music from Htzgerald's Band,
over whom was the CLEAN Of hundred
Chinese lanterns, and ranged themselves
about the speakers stand, filling up the
space TO the walks on either side and resting
its rear guard against the iron fence OF the
big aquarium in the cent"r.
Judge Weeks opened the speaking by re
ferring in graceful and suggestful metaphors
to the trip to St. Louis and the grand recep-
ton given the name Of Cleveland at the Ma
tional Convention. He told Of the waving
of the red bandsnnas and waved one as a
sample case of enthusiasm,
-.
John F. Madden followed, in well
weighed speech of considerable length, re.
viewing the records Of the nominees on the
national and state tickets, and unwilling the
shortcomings and pretensions Of the Repub-
lican leaders. The prediction Of ruin, desc.
lation, low wages, business stagnation and
the return of slavery, enunciated by the
opposition four years ago, had not come to
pass, but in their stead wiser, better and
purer administration had been given peo-
pie who had so long suffered from misrule.
The navy had been resuscitated, the civil
service had been purified, and more pensions
had been granted deserving soldiers than in
any one previous administration, while the
chief executive Of the nation was possessed
of the manhood to veto all undeserving
measures and reclaim and secure to bona
fde settlers millions Of acres of public land
given away to corporations by Republicans.
Mr.. Madden was we'll received, and was
frequently greeted with applause.
Mr.. James H. Eckles stepped to the front
Of the platform and was hailed with a storm
of applause. He spoke upon the great issue
Of the day, the tariff. The tariff was nothing
less than tax. 1t was no less tax because
it was indirect, and no less tax because it
was collected at the custom houses Of New
York, Chicago, San Francisco, &C., than If 1t
we're paid into the hands of Nicholas Dow
ney, the town collector. It was a steady,
draining tax, as though tax collector stood
at the counter of the store when you enter
to buy goods, and demanded tax Of 81 per
cent of the value of the coat, or vest, or
pants that you buy. This tax is levied to
pay the running expenses of the United
States government and when a sufficient
amount has been collected to pay the expen-
ses Of that government, economically admin
istered, all above and beyond that is robbery,
and not the less robbery because it is exacted
under the guise Of law. 1t is as much rob-
berry as though taken from the pocket at the
muzzle of revolver, because the victim has
no recourse. Mr.. Eckles's address was fire..
quently interrupted by applause, and was
indeed very fine effort.
Mr.. Geo. W. ". Blake made the crowd
laugh and put it in excellent humor by
short speech in his we'll known and intensely
popular style. Mr.. NJ. N. Armstrong spoke
Of the st. Louis convention and predicted a
sweeping Democratic victory at the polls in
November. Mr.. T. E. MacKinlay spoke Oh
the tariff and was applauded frequently, |
and Mr.. D. E. Devlin closed the evening.
which was very successful, both in attend |
ance and programme, although the indispo |
sition of Senator Duncan was a matter of
considerable disappointment.
~
On the same evening the Democrats Of
Streator met in Armory Hall, in the city of J
black diamonds, and organized a Cleveland |
elected temporary chairman, and Barney
McKeon secretary. Mr.. John G. Campbell,
member of the state central committee, gave
a short address on the absolute need of club |
organization, aad created great enthusiasm
An organization was then effected, by the
election Of Nicholas Cummings as president
~ DSAAoAuj Aee NlVC pEeSlutut, HESS,
I'd vice PRESIDENT W. H. Minor, Sd vice
president; Barney McKeon, recording secre
tsry; Fred Leroy. corresponding secretary;
Daniel Heenan, treasurer.
A committee was then appointed to select
delegates to the convention of state clubs at
Springfield, and their recommendation-N.
W. Cummings, James Miner, S. W. Williams,
DR.. Dye, Hy. Schaefer, Ben. Iskiwich, Ira
D. Bullock, DR.. Conley. c. W. Herman and
Jabez Mackey-was confirmed. Fifty -four
names we're signed to the roster on the spot,
and the prospect for an organization several
hundred strong is excellent They will pro-
cure headquarters and open the ball at once.
{.
On Monday evening the Ottawa Democrat
ic Club met in its headquarters, in Cheever's
block, to select delegates to the state con.
vention Of clubs on Wednesday. Geo. W.