Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-01-24
HoNoRING THE SENATOR.
The State Capital Club Gxcs Public Re
ception TO Mr.. HigEins-speeches by
Massey, willis, Fisher, Downham and

chdh Correspondence EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER, Del, Jan. 24-The reception
to Senator-elect Higgins was in many re-
spects not quite as big success as could |
have been desired. The expected crowds
failed to materialize and the number who |
poured into the State Capital Republican |
Club was decidedly limited. After the |
reception a public meeting was held
in Buttons Hall. Colonel George
w. Whitaker presided. Seated on the
platform were Hiram Reedy, Manlove
Hayes and Rev. Jonathan S. Willis.
After short and interesting introduc.
tory address, the guest of the evening
was introduced. Mr.. Higgins said in
part:
Members of the State Capital Repub-
lican Club, gentlemen, and fellow
Republicans Of Kent and Sussex countless
| thank you from my heart for the cour-
tesy you have shown me in asking me
here tonight. 1t is TO your kindness
that owe my Advancement to-
night. The Republicans of New Castle
county were without representation in
the Legislature. You disregarded county
lines and have reversed the traditions Of
all parties in our little state in electing
me- appreciate this as well as the inn
portant duty il places upon me. / must
know no party lines Cat this point
George v Massey entered the room He
was greeted with much applause Editor
Sperry accompanied him. The con
test that elected me was sharp and inter
esting, and now that the contest is over
all can cooperate. / see nothing
that will prevent the Republican
party Of Delaware from acting
together, knowing but one object, the
overthrow Of the common enemy. My
idea of party management is that
each community should be left TO manage
itself. In matters affecting the state in
general ] will follow the policy that
every man shall hold the same position
in the future that he held in the past.
In that line nothing can prevent the on
ward march of the Republican policy.
In one sense the carrying of these coun-
ties by the Republicans was accidental
In another it was the outcome Of con
dition affairs brought about by the Dem
ocratie party itself do not believe that
the Democratic party can be brought to.
gether. The Republican party only exists
for the good of the people. When this
purpose is departed from 1t
is at an end. The achievement of the
| Republicans of Kent and Sussex counties
has challenged the interest and admira-
ton of the whole nation. But for your
achievement the United States Senate
would be a tie You have relieved it
from this great catastrophe You have
made the first break in the Solid South by
chipping off its northeast corner The
good work viii 60 on until every border
state will 60 Republican. Protection will
bring them into line The Republican
party will then make the first solid step
toward the settlement of the race ques-
ton. Our victory will not only relieve
the party in the United States Senate,
but will go further and aid in settling
other important questions. II will aid in
maintaining in all sincerity the thir
tenth. fourteenth and fifteenth amend.
ments to the Constitution of the United
States. / thank you again for your kind
ness
/ Hiram Reedy then read funny letter
from Levi G. Bird. He said that he haC
. made himself promise when he entered
the Republican party always to submit t
! the majority and he was ready to fal
! into line. 1t locks as If Levi had com
promised under protest, and the audience
evidently thought so too, as they did no
: enthuse over its reading great deal.
Rev. Jonathan S. Willis, the late car
/ didate for the Senate, was then intro
a duced, and the preacher in politics" Sc
the audience in good humor by hi
IS amusing address, He said in part ths
/ in the field where there were so man
It candidates some one had to be left out
; the cold. At Georgetown had been tha
earnest candidate, Charles II. Treat; g
Dover there was he who has been Gale
the nestor of the bar, N. b. Smithers, an
I Lat
= out in the cold In his own tow
was his fellow townsman, that shrew
politician, Major Lohand; and then to
there was another candidate whom h
d would have preferred to any man name
I. in the whole list. He was also left
r laughter All these men had beei
W supported by wife and children. In tn
II face of this it was food for thought this
the members of the Legislature shout
II have gone to Wilmington to select tina
n SCARED old bachelor to represent then
!. II made the speaker think there must
A some strange fatality about that Sent
m torial seat. 1t had been occupied fC
eighteen years by that ideal bachelC
Eli Salisbury, and perhaps it would
M occupied eighteen years by this bachelo
u If the women of the state could excui
- Senator-elect Higgins for being bach
~ lor. he could forgive the Legislature (,
81 selecting him. There were only tv
things that candidates could do in q
n future. Shun matrimony as they do q
e. shadow Of death or call upon the Legi
tie lature to exercise that peculiar functi'
N, it sometimes does, namely, divorce. ~
n party would have to look out for brea
r. ers ahead in this scramble for Office.
would be a bad policy 10 indulge in
re- Guard against it and guard again
at apathy.
~ 1t was easy to see the position that N
a. Massey held in the hearts Of the au'
II ence, when in response to loud calls
- came forward, He was warmly a
plauded at nearly every point in
speech. Massey was evidently not fe'
'p, ing altogether happy at first, but befo
no he had proceeded far he made a rattlil
at good speech. He said that he in compa
~ with other Republicans OF the sta
ms should felicitate themselves over the
Tor suit He said: "ln the memorable log
'as of events we must attest our appreciate
Of result that two years ago, hac
prophecy been made that it would ha
occurred, the prophet would have be
thought out Of his mind. We must ascri
nie it to an overriding Providence.
gives me pleasure to congratulate t
has Senator elect sincerely and in all &c
for faith. He is the leader of the Repul
can party of the state for sometime
.ua come. His duty is a responsible one.
~ feel that he will take it with an eye fl
upon one purpose, the unity Of the
n,o 4I.s,,sr x.-scb 20 q,