Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-10-21
THE REPUBLICAN RALLY.
A CreditabIe Torch Light Procession
and Parade.
An Ignorant and Intolerant Speech
by Ex-Governor Hamilton, of
Illinois.

by Ex-Governor Hamilton. of
Illinois.
The republican demonstration ad-
vertised for Monday evening, Oct II,
was carried out according to program.
The procession formed about half past
seven o'clock, and was led by the
famous Mineral Point Band. The
well drilled marching club, under the
efficient command of Capt. S. E.
Shepard and Marshal D. E. Jacobs.
presented fine appearance. Next
came the members of the glee club,
wearing Harrison hats, and, in their
turn singing spirited campaign songs.
These were followed by the umbrella
brigade, bearing campaign umbrellas
and lanterns. The procession was not
very large, but was a creditable one,
everything pertaining to it being con-
Quoted in harmless and quite genteel
manner.
The line of march was, up High
street to the park; thence back to
Commerce street; thence to the U. 5.
Hotel; thence to the hall, where the
speaker, Ex-Governor Hamilton, of
Illinois, was greeted by full house.
He was introduced to the audience
in a neat speech by Hon. Calvert
Spensley.
The Democrat wishes it could truth
fully say that Mr.. Hamilton's speech
was worthy of the occasion; but it can
not. 1t had been previously announced
that the meeting would afford ga rare
opportunity to the people of Min
eral Point and surrounding country to
hear one of the ablest expounders of
true and patriotic American princi-
pies" Shades of Lincoln, Sumner,
and Phillips! how has the grand old
party fallen when such men as Hon.
J. M. Hamilton have become eek
Founders of patriotic American prin-
ciples /!
1t would be misuse of words to
call his harangue speech. 1t was in
no sense argumentative; but on the
contrary, was unfair, low in tone, and
intolerant and vindictive in spirit. He
said the Dem ocratiS idea was how
best to deceive the people. He dis
cussed none of the issues of the
campaign, but, like Don Quixote fight
ing windmills, talked incoherently of
"slavery and its twin brother, free
trade" Democrats are always ig-
norant, dishonest, and never right!
He talked repeatedly Of what he
termed the thirteenth lie of the Dem
ocratic platform, and the ignorance
and dishonesty of those who placed it
there. and Of those who support it.
For man to attempt to be honest,
would be regarded by the democratic
party and its leaders as equal to
treason; and for man to seek to
prove truth would write him down
by democracy as a traitor. This and
much more of the same sort was the
burden of his cry. And no wonder
some Republicans hung their heads in
shame, which deepened the next day,
into disgust. and denunciation of the
speaker.
We have said that his remarks were
low in tone and intolerant in spirit.
Perhaps the sentiments to which he
gave utterance belonged to past age,
when abuse of opponents was more
toIerable than nov. But, nay: it
would be libel on our country's
history to believe that the speaker
would have at any time passed current
as an expounder of patriotic American
principles.
1t is no wonder that such men as
Judge Cooley, Judge Gresham, Ex-
Attorney General Wayne MacVeagh
and other truly patriotic men of
learning and eminence are leaving
the once grand old party, when Mr.
Hamilton, of Illinois, and others of
his ilk, have become the gods of re-
publicanism, the defenders of all forms
of class legislation; the villifers of
democrats who stand for the rights
of the people.
The speech in this city on Monday
night shocked the sensibilities of right
thinking people = republicans and
democrats, who are wont to dwell
together in peace and good fellowship.
The speaker, while claiming to be an
educated and cultured gentleman who
had passed through several colleges,
clearly demonstrated that he was en-
tirely ignorant of the common courtesy
due to political opponents.
The sequel of the evening: the firing