Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-20
A SPEECH BY BLAINE
Called Out by Serenaders the
Maine Man Consents to
Talk.
lie is Sure the Irish Cannot
be Led to Favor
England.
Minister Egan Says South Amer
lea Has Been Taught a
Lesson.

White Plains, y. Y, Oct. Thames
q. Blaine has spoken. \ big crowd
from the village Of Westminster heard
the man from Maine. Politicians tried
to Obtdin the same results but failed.
The eX-Secretary, however, yielded to
popular enthusiasm and spoke The
demonstration was spontaneous and ar
ranged on short notice, Delegations
were present from all the sun ounding
towns. Upon arriving at Ophir farm
the bands which accompanied the crowd
played several selections, and Mr.. Reid
appeared upon the veranda. He was
followed by the distinguished party
which had gathered to meet the eX-
secretary.
After a few words Of Introduction,
Reid presented Blaine. AS the popular
son Of Maine stepped forward he was
greeted with round after round of
cheers. When sufficient silence had
been secured, Mr.. Blaine spoke in part
as follows:
'FelIoW citizens of New York;
should be chuiTlish indeed if | did not
make a response to your call At the
same time I'm not making speeches in
the canvas for reasons which is well
known to my friends and which have
no connection with politics.
"Gcncrally the administration in q
presidential election is challenged on
account of the condition of the bust
ness Of the country, and l submit that
the republican administration of Prest-
dent Harrison can triumphantIy endure
such a test. (Applausc). 1 doubt if
since the government of the United
States was instituted, anybody at any
time has seen what we call good times
so general, taking in so many interests
and spreading prosperity throughout the
whole domain of trade. The opponents
of the republican party always repre-
sent New York rs a commercial, and
not Il manufacturing city, but more men
in New York get Il living from pursuits
protected by the tariff than from any
other source, but all the men engaged
in commercial affairs in and about New
York are smaller in numbers than those
engaged in manufacture.
''NOW, if you go west, where demo-
Gratis this year are making a consider
able effort and doing Il vast amount
of Boosting will you find it different?
Take Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and
Illinois, and the products of the manu-
factories are greater in a peclmiary
amount than the products of agricul-
ture in the agricultural states; so |
think when democratic orators try to
arouse hostility in these states against
the protective tariff they will encounter
4 sentiment Of which they had not
dreamed We learn frum the demo-
cratic party that these western states
are i'll desperate condition; that the
amount of their farm mortgages rose
up into millions. This is not so among
the farmers of New York, nor among
the farmers Of any state near by,
whose condition can be easily learned.
but by Il singular fatality it is the
western states that have got all these
farm mortgages burdcning them and
taking tie life out of the people.
Democratic papers say the tariff is
the origin of Il plutocratic government.
statements, and shall make democrats
make pledges in the case. A careful
examination of the list of the wealthy
men in the country demonstrated the
fact to he ute the reverse, to such an
extent in New York city that of the
first hundred and fifty fortunes not
more than one can be considered as de
Il see it is stated that the democrats
boast of having the mass of the Irish
in their ranks this year 1t is one of
the mysteries of our politics that the
supremacy, which is canvas%ed almost
rs much in London as it in New
York, should have the Irish )te on the
side of Great Britain. I KIN " the ap-
peal is frequently made to the Irish
voter, but | make it with emphasis
now, for | am unwilling to believe,
with the light of the knowledge be
fore them, they will deliberately be be
side their former opprcssors. | think
| shall rely on my good friend Egan,
the brilliant and successful minister to
Chill, to intcrcede with his cOuntrymen
not to aid the democratic party in low
ering the standard of wages of Ameri-
can labor by their potential votes and
numbers Uong continued applause)
When quiet had been restored. Min
lister Egan was introduced. In conclud-
ING he said: "WhatevCr triumrhs were
won in the Gillian ditticulty-and they
were very far-reaching because the at
titude assumed by my government
taUght 4 lesson to all South America,
that while the United States was Will
ing to pursue 4 policy Of aid and pro-
lection if it became necessary against
European Intervention. the people in
South America cannot insult the United
States 1ag-whatever triUmphs were
Won, | say. are due to the administra-
ton I had the honor to represent. =
<Great applause).
Chauncey Depew followed in brief
address
After the speeches the seranaders
were entertained in the house by Mr..
and Mrs. Reid, assisted by Messrs.
Blaine, Depew, Egan, Brookfald and
EIackett.