Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-08-16

hon. James G. Blame.
was we'll. Mr.. Blaine said he was in ex-
cellent health and his trip had renewed his
youth.
About eight O'Clock the steamer Starin
met the City of New York outside the
| Narrows. The Starin turned about and
/ both vessels slowly steamed up the bay,
bow and bow. Cheer after cheer rose
from the decks of the Starin, although it
was yet impossible to distinguish Mr..
! Blaine's form among the 1000 that stood
on the foredecks of the huge steamer.
The Chicago Blaine clubs had been the
first to greet the steamer as it came up the
bay, and chung under its wings, while the
Chicago men cheered. Cappa's band on
| the Starin played E'Home Again" Home.
| Sweet Home" and the THE Star Spangled
Banner" while advancing up to quaran-
| tine. Then both vessels came to anchor.
At last at 9:15 O'Clock, to the music of
FtHail to the Chief" Mr.. Blaine got on
board the Starin, escorted by Whitelaw
Reid and Mr.. Pool.
Mr.. Bartlett delivered the speech of well
! come.
Mr.. Blaine said in reply:
Mr.. President and gentlemen OF the Repub-
lican Club and fellow citizens: To enable you
to appreciate this welcome each and every one
of you should be absent from home for the
long period of fourteen months. am sure you
can have but little conception OF the inspiration
/ had when / saw the great shores of this
Republic. can not tell you how grateful
to be remembered by you in this manner.
1t is a scene shall never forget II is an occa-
sion which assure you appreciate from the
depths of my heart. II is Swallowed only by
the sad event which greeted US. AS the first
piece of American news we heard of the death
of General Sheridan, man who was above re-
proach and stood bravely for the union OF the
States. [Shouts of Good
With that exception my arrival upon my na-
joy and happiness.
The campaign on which you are about TO en-
ter should be prefaced, If that were possible by
every voter in the United States seeing what
have seen I''Good, good,''l and hearing what
have heard during the past year. Applause.
The progress OF the campaign in the United
States is viewed from the European stand
point with an interest as profound as II is in
the United States 1t is the opportunity of
England It is the long looked for coca ion
upon which the cheaper labor and the cheaper
fabrics of the old world expect TO invade the
new and lower the wages of the new world TO
those OF the old. IApplause.l
II is not q contest OF capital against capital;
1t is not q contest OF partisan against partisan.
1t is much higher than either OF these It
transcends all party motive lApplause.l
Whether the great mass OF American
citizens who earn their bread by the
sweat of their brow shall be so reduced in
the emolumcnt from day to day-lapplausel-
that Is the whole pith and moment OF this ques-
ton. Any thing that diverts the question from
that single point is weakening of the cam
paiGn. Applause and cries of 'Good-"l say
here what hope TO say with much more elab-
oration-GIoud cheering and cries of That's
what we want''l-I say here that the wages Of
the American laborer can not be reduced ex-
cept with the consent and the votes OF the
American laborer himself
The appeal lies to him. 1t comes to his door
and asks him whether with the great power OF
the franchise and the great majority he pos
sesses in his own hands, he is willing for him
self and his associates. his children and his
bidding OF an American Congress and an Amer
lean President, who governed by that ele-
ment which sought 10 destroy this Nation.
But. gentlemen, IL is not time for political
speech. My heart is too full 10 enter at this
time on heightened arguments. In this mo
ment OF JOY. getting home to old scenes and
u old friends, 1 must be allowed 10 enjoy the
pleasant emotions of the occasion. I only
add my fervent thanks 10 each and every men,
Der OF the club and to all my friends for the
generous and joyous welcome they have ex-
tended to me in the harbor OF New York
While Mr.. Blaine was speaking the cabin
was crowded to its utmost limits and ears
stuck through the transoms with eagerness
to hear every word. The greatest enthu
SiaSm prevailed. An outburst of cheering
followed the conclusion of his brief speech.
The Starin meanwhile was steaming up
the North river, with the band playing
and its passengers indulging in frequent
cheers for Blaine All along the river it
was escorted by the police boat and other
from the steam whistles of the boats it
passed, marked its progress to the pier at
Twenty second and North river, where Mr..
Blaine and all on board disembarked, and
was driven to the Fifth Avenue Hotel