The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-03-05
Delegates from the North Warmly Wei
coined by the People of Nashville.
Enthusiastic Convention of Young Workers Of
the Great Party-Eloquent Greeting from
the Chairman ofthe Local Committee.
Objects of the Organization Outlined in
a Forcible Speech by Mr.. Thurston.
Mass Meeting in the Evening. and an Address
BY Gen. Nathan GOff-Cincinnati to
Be the Next Meeting Place.

after 12 o'clock, the hour for the assemb-
ling of the third annual convention of the
National League of Republican Clubs at
the Amusement Hall. in his city, when the
delegates were called to order. The States
after IL o'clock. and from that ON until the
assemblage was called to order, the mem
bers spent the time in admiring the beauti-
full decorations and doing some sharp po-
litical work for the next president of the
organization. The convention hall is the
largest in the city. 1t has a seating ca
pacity for 1,5O0 persons. The fronts of it's
double balconies were tastefully and elab-
orately draped with flags, while the national
colors elsewhere throughout the hall al
most hid the walls from view. A layer of
sawdust, two inches deep, covered the
floor.
When Hon. A. j. Watson, chairman Of
the local executive committee, called the
assemblage to order and made the address
of welcome, there were nearly six nun
dred delegates in the seats. At least
one hundred more are expected be-
fore the convention adjourns. Among the
uCACSotlOno lAANln 1oLO WClO
from Missouri, Kansas. Nebraska and the
far West. New York, Connecticut. Massa-
chusetts and Ohio were delayed by the
floods, but reached the city this morning.
They were very weary after their long
ride. Chairman Watson's address of well
come was brief, but eloquent. He spoke
as follows:
"Fellow-citizens of the Nation, Brother
Republicans of the . Republic-it has
been made my duty as chairman of the
local committee on arrangements to call
this assemblage to order and introduce to
you the gentlemen who will address you on
behalf of the Republicans of Tennessee. 1t
affords me great pleasure, On behalfo of my
associates of the committee and the large
hearted citizens of Nashville, to give You a
most cordial and hearty welcome. You
will find here as w~arm-hearted. generous
and hospitable people as there are any
chosen this. our rising and beautiful city
of the once South is evidence that peace
reigns here where but a few years
hawks; that nationality now reigns
supreme here, where formerly provincial
~sectionalisni pent up and bounded the
scope of patriotic endeavor and aspiration.
dispersion of the dark and dividing cloud
that once covered our fair region, to still
speak of a South as contra-distinguished
from q North is a misnomer and a mis-
chief-breeder. There is no North, there is
no South. or East, or West to the true
patriot. to the man who loves his country,
it's beneficent institutions, its rainbow
banner OF light, its government that gov
ems so mildly that the steed of the people
is unconscious of the burden of his harness.
gone never to return, still use the iargon,
when no product of the soil. except cotton,
distinguishes our agriculture from the
farming results of other portions of the
Republic; when. In manners aud mentality,
scholarly culture, religious belief and in
ho~mogeneity that marks us as one Nation.
one p~eoDle-the American people for
everi The party whose principles
you champion is the party of
and prosperity of this the grandest Nation
on the face of the earth. To the wise and
beneficent laws formulated and passed by
O Republican Congress is due, in a great
our country to-day. The smoke from the
furnace and coke oven ascends from our
valleys. and the hum of the spindle is heard
throughout this broad and beautiful land,
SO rich in everything that contributes to a
peoples wealth n happiness.
IL am glad to welcome such a large num-
Der from my native State, the grand old
keystone, and l refer with pride to the
high position she has attained under Re-
publican guidance.
Republicans of the league-in fact, you
represent the only. national party existing
in the Nation-the party that saved the
Nation by its courage, and will eve rule it
with wisdom. for the common good of all
it's divisions, without distinction of race,
wealth, color or religion. regardless of OBJ
solete points of the compass phraseology-
for e%mphatically, the Republicans are for
the whole Republic-again | bid you well
come, welcome"
Hon. G.. N. Tillman. Capt. VIM. Rule,
editor of the Knoxville Journal. and w. G.
Winstead, all Of Tennessee, followed with
brief addresses, after which the conven-
tion was turned over to President Thurs
ton, of Nebraska.
Mr.. Thurston began by saying that the
clubs were organized for an emergency, and
in the heat and enthusiasm of a national
campaign. Ii seemed doubtful whether
such organizations could long survive the
immediate necessities of their creation.
In spite of this, however, he believed the
Republican League to be stronger now thar
it was q year ago. This condition he at
tributed chiefly to the work of Secretary
Humphrey, whose reelection he urged.
The league" he said, lis the landwehr
of the Republican party. Its organized
active, aggressive force is always ready;
il c6n enter upon a political campaign at q
moments notice. 1t is not intended that il
shall take the place of or antagonize the
regular party organization. but, rather,
that it shall cooperate with aud in some
respects be auxiliary to it," The speaker
recommended the appointment of q chair.
man for the sub-executive committee,
to have charge of the campaign
work, to relieve the president. He said
that each club in the leaguc should be put
on a permanent basis. a club-room secured.
INT regular meetings held. Political
questions should be studied and discussed
and every effort made to disseminate valu'
able Information and increased political
knowledge.
''Republicanism," he continued. 'has
nothing to fear from educational methods
and intellectual investigation. The two
! parties are SD evenly divided in present
strength that whichever one secures a ma
jority of the first vote at any national cleo.
ton will most likely succeed. 1t is. there
fore. most important to win the young mel
TO the Republican party. The club should
therefore, be the Republican school, bu.
reau of information, and town-meetinp
combined. The league, / believe, is to be
the controlling political factor in the future
of this country. 1t will not nominate, bui
il will elect Presidents. 1t is an organiza
tion designed to make politics popular. II
permits the participation of the masses in
youth and the experience of age.
1T is a matter of profound congratula
ton hat the President of the United State.
is q Republican. His administration shoulo
be upheld and strengthened by the Repub
lican League, and i ask this convention e
indorse it by proper resolution. We rejoIc,
today that we have a Republican Congress: