The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-09-24
SPEAKER REED TO PHlLADELpHIANS.
Mass Meeting of the Republican
League Of Pennsylvania.
Recent Scenes In the House of Rep
resentatIves Described.
The speech Received With Bursts of
Applause and Laughter.

PHILADELPHIA, September 23.-The mass
meeting under the auspices Of the Republi-
can League of Pennsylvania was held this
evening. Speaker Reed was the centre of
attraction. Speeches were delivered by Hon.
John M. Tburston of Nebraska, president of
the National League of Republican Clubs
General Daniel e. Hastings. George W. Del
amater, the Republican candidate for govern
or of Pennsylvania, and Congressman Dolli-
yer of Iowa. When Speaker Reed arose to
address the audience the applause was long
continued. He spoke substantially as fol-
lows:
My friends Il thank you for this very cor
dial greeting. 1t makes me feel sorry not to
be able to say something worthy of it, Until
very recently had feared | would not be
able to be with you tonight. The wicked
Democrats have been very rampant the last
few days, and did not know but what it
would be necessary TO stay with them today
or with them [laughterEbut that happily
over, l feel more responsive to your greet
ings tonight than would have this morning.
lLaughter.l The Republican!party was born
fighting. Its very best history has been
made on battlefields.civic as well as military.
1t Is OF the very essence OF its existence tnat
1t should do battle, for the Republican party
means the forward movement of the people
never be necessary for the Democrats to do
anything. Laughter.
We have Just come from a scene which re-
minded the men who were in Washington in
the early days Of the Republican party of
the scenes which took place there at the be-
ginning of the war. On the Democratic side
of the House during the past week we have
been treated to empty benches; the Demo-
Gratis haven't been visible. lLaughterJ l
want you to understand the occasion which
kIaxx Io.x .TaA 90
rising. The Republican party, so far as the
House OF Representatives is concerned, has
done what we regard as great deeds. Tne
Democrats have proclaimed them as very
wicked deeds. We have passed tariff bill
which has secured the American :market to
the American people. Applause. That
bill has been the subject of denunciation OH
the part of the Democrats almost too bitter
to be put OH record. According to them the
bill and the principal it represents has car.
ried desolation into every farmers house in
the country and has covered the farms in the
Democratic members, while that bill was be-
ing passed, sat in their seats and were count
ed. We passed another bill. This bill they
said was to ruin the principles of liberty.
They said 1t meant ruin to
the peaceful and lovely South, [laughterl
meant ruin to their homes, meant despotism.
Yet they sat there as sweet as summer with
no hegira, no departure or, to use word
more familiar to them, no secession. Great
laughter.l But when it came TO seating a
the Democratic side Of the House arose as
one man and departed. Laughter But
they have come back renewed laughterl
resembling tho pr0digal son only in external
appearance. Laughter
My friends, it is such little incidents as
this which prevent the Democrats from point
ing with Pride to the history of their party.
1t is that which makes them desolate in envy
and vociferous in their expression OF feeling
when we speak Of the history Of the United
States for the past twenty-years, for, when
that we are pointing with pride to the record
of the Republican party. lApplause and
laughter. The great thing in this world Is
the people. They make and unmake parties.
They create history. They govern and move
and the people Of the United states are alone
is their business to know and
act upon their responsibility. This
fall very soon there will be an expression by
the people-not full, free and frank ex-
ssricts Of this Union, the opinions of the
people will be suppressed. 1t is necessary
for you to be on the Lords side more heavi-
ly on that account. [Laughter.l We have
not only got to beat conservatism In
besides. Now, when the column forms, is
Pennsylvania going to be distanced because
of absenteeismP Is that great state going
to be found anywhere except in the first
rank? Not if you mean progress not If you
mean to rule the United States. Your duty
becomes all the more tremendous when you
consider what will follow lack Of energy on
your part. We look to you and hitherto
have not looked in vain. Republicanism Is
good enough for every day in the year, every
day in the calendar. DO you want honest
Do you want a House
which intends tn transact business?
1t lies in your power alone This nation mas
grown to one of 100000 people and is no
longer a nation that can listen to orations 5S
hours long 1t wants business. Applause.)
Do you believe every man in the country en-
titled to participate in the government shall
cast his vote and have that vote counted as
cast? If you do, it is your business to see
such House chosen as will sustain and
back up the present House CT Representa-
tives. Applause.