Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-10

LA-SECREIAhl THOMPSON.
"Dick," as every one is fondly calling him,
walked up the aisle leaning on the arm of his
escort, beaming like the sun, while the multi
tude. with oye-fowing kindness, cheered and
shouted. He assembled the speakers tribune
with light and springing step and returned
his thanks TO the convention in sharp and ring
ing tones.
Mr.. Thompson said it made him young again
to look around the convention.
Ex-sECRErARY THoMPsoS's SPEECH.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen of the conven-
ton: Your action has awakened in my heart
feelings which have not words to express. /
owe you the deepest possible. gratitude, an ex-
preston of which / offer TO you now. When I
remember the events with which have been
associated in the political world and find around
me such an asseInblage this engaged in the
common cause Of preserving the welfare and
honor of this land feel as If / were young
again. IApplausel.
True. By the march which the dial has made I
am eighty-three years Of age today [applausel,
but j am not half that in reality, because am
stimulated and erlboldeEed by undaunted
republican spirit which animates me and which
csuses me 20 believe with an honest conviction
that the destInles of this country are to be con-
trolled by that great party for years and years
TO come tApplause.l Born, / was, when
the Constitution of the United States was but
twenty years old, was reared and educated
under revolutionary influences. and from my
revolutionary ancestors l learned my republ-
canism- ICries Of ''Good, Good. j." and ap-
planse. They taught me to believe that the
nrst and primary principle of the government
Of the United States was 10 take care of the in
terests OF the people and TO preserve all those
great guarantees of the Constitution which are
intended TO secure to US and TO our children the
inAisnable night Of popular self-goyernment.
lApplause.l
One Of the instrumentalities BY which that
great right Is TO be preserved is the institution
under God, of the republican party lapplausel,
and we are today in the execution OF the great
trust which has been confided to US. to lay the
foundation of another triumph upon the coming
November, which shall assure TO u.s. and for
wears 10 come 20 our posterity. that this is the
haPplest, the most prosperous, the greatest and
the grandest government upon the earth. Jap
plause.l
1 cannot trespass on your patience by enter
ING upon the discussion of political questions
now. simply rose TO return 10 YOU my sincere
and heartfelt thanks for your congratulations
and 20 promise you in return that will meet
you here or somewhere else in this broad land
again four Years hence lapplausel, and l will do
Is have done many a time before-aid you in
selecting another republican candidate for the
presidency. tApplause.I l have passed through
acuSeIy nfteen presidential campaigns. The
nrst vote i ever cast for President Of the
United States WAS for Henry Clay Icheersl,
the great champion Of protection. Applause
The proudest that l ever cast in nv life in a
legislative body in 1912 for the tariff of
that year lapplausel, and hope to see the
lime come when the public sentiment in this
country shall 50 far vindicate that great bill
which bears your honored name sir (the
speaker turned 10 Chairman Mckinley and the
convention applauded vociferously), that neither
faction nor party shall ever be able success
fully to attack it Now. then, promise YOU
agsin that l viii meet you here four years
hence.
During the cheers which followed these re-
marks the electric lights fickered and the con-
Vention was enveloped in almost total dark
ness for a few seconds. After a moments pause
Col Thompson continued:
lour chairman has ms tructed me to talk until
the hght comes back. The light has come. Am
not therefore, sir, released from the obliga-
Won which you imposed upon me? Therefore,
say, In return for your congratulations that
VII meet you here again four years hence, and
nope to see our honored chairman here so
that We may greet him the author Of bill
winch has stood the test of four or five years of
attack by Its adyersaries and vet remained I'M
assaulted lAPplause.l The democratic party
propose TO destroy il by piecemeal, like rats
gnaw1ng at the ropes OF a ship seeking to sink
II, when the great craft moves onward and bids
defiance to the storm lApplause.] l return to
you again therefore my heartfelt thanks for your
sympathy, your congratulations and your kind
ness
IL outburst Of appliance AZ the clo.~ ~ th>