The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-06-20

Blend in Perfect Harmony-No Sec
tionaI Color Lines in Prohibition
Politics-Sketches of the Candidates.
From all over the continent they came,
men and women of intense conviction,
widely differing in their views upon al
most every question agitating the public
mind, but unit upon the one question
paramount now In American politics,
namely; prohibition by Prohibition
party
This was the one idea that called them
together, and that one idea served to at
tract young men and old men, women and
maidens 1t brought -Confederates from
Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Georgia,
and they struck hands with Union vet
Grams from Oregon and Maine, Kansas and
New York There was Hector, the negro
orator of California, cordially grasping
the hand of Cheves the Kentucky ex-
slave owner Sam Small heartily seconded
resolution offered by G. II. Grandson,
the negro of the same state, pledging to
the black man his civil, moral and political
rights There was Mike Tanning, the
eloquent labor advocate, in loving com
munion with w. Jennings Demorest, New
York's millionaire philanthropist. And
there, too, was Father Mahoney, the Cath
ole priest of Minnesota, uttering burning
words which drew forth heartfelt amens
and hallelujahs from scores of Protestant
ministers who were also there.
Few will forget the eloquent pleas for a
Union of lakes, a Union of lands,
A Union of states none can sever;
Union of hearts, q Union of hands,
And one flag of our Union forever,
which were voiced by ex-soldiers who
wore the gray as well as by Others. who
wore the blue, in that wonderful memo
rial service on the night of May 30.
The shout that rung out when after
discussion in which there had been mutual
concessions, the hands of Frances E.
Willard and Sam Small met in grasp
which betokened the alliance of southern
chivalry and northern womanhood in the
fight for American honest
That shout was only surpassed by the
thunderous cheers which rang out when
our ticket was completed and Fisk, the
noble soldier of the north, and Brooks,
devoted chaplain of southern troops, were
hailed as the standard bearers of 1888.
Gen. Fisk has been recognized as the
nominee for months, his history had been
scanned, his speeches had been read his
genial. handsome face had looked out
from among the columns Of scores of
papers There was no question in any
mans mind as to the wisdom of that
choice.
But John A. Brooks, known and loved
by thousands in his own section, and
trusted by many national leaders who
had watched his work for years, was
stranger to most of the northern dele
gates Though nominated by acclama-
ton and greeted with hardly less enthu-
siasm than was his associate Gen. Fisk,
still it is not strange that the great gath
ering of earnest men and women who are
more careful as to the character and fit
ness of their representative than are old
partisans, anxiously watched for sign
which would assure them that no mistake
had been made.
But when the vice presidential candi-
date was led to the platform and the con-
vention saw a manly form and noble
head, face telling of tender sympathies
and yet of firm resolves, and when they
had listened to the few strong, earnest
and eloquent words with which he &C
knowledged the honors and duties i'm
posed upon him, then there was no fur
ther doubt, and the ringing, enthusiastic
cheers which went up again and again
proved that John A. Brooks will be sup
ported as Loyalty as will be Clinton B. Fisk.
Little need be said here of Gen Fisk
The great grandson of revolutionary
soldier, who rose to the rank of major
general, and son of blacksmith, he was
born in York, Livingston county, N. Y,
Dec. g. 1928. The family removed to
Michigan, and the father dying soon af-
forward, Clinton was compelled to work
for living. Struggling along educating
himself, he went into business, and when
the war began was engaged successfully
in st. Louis. Unlike Cleveland and
Blaine, however, he did not send substi-
tute, but entered the Union service and
speedily rose to the rank of major gen
eral. At the close of the war President
Lincoln placed him in charge of one of the
military divisions of the south, and also
of the Freedmens bureau In these ar
duous duties he won the love of all with
whom he dealt. During his southern
work Ae established Fisk university for
colored people,
He was one of President Grants most
trusted friends and in 1874 was appointed
one of the board of Indian commission
ers, in which he still serves. One of the
most prominent Methodists in the coun-
try, he is frequently styled the clay
Bishop" Since 1876 Gen Fisk has been
engaged in business in New York city,
residing at Seabright, N. J. His cam
paign in New Jersey as Prohibition can
didate for governorin 1896is well remem-
bered
All in all he is man among men, bet
ter fitted to fill the office of president than