The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-19
wHIrELAw REID SPEAKS.

WhIELAW REID SPEAKS.
Address Before the State Convention OF the
Republican League of Illinois
SPRINGFIELD. Ill. Aug. 1S-The Repub-
lican national campaign opened in the
State OF Illinois ut noon to-day, when the
State convention of the Republican League
was called to order. 1t is said that Illinois
10 the first State In the Union In which the
Republican League has had the privilege
of officially opening the campaign. Thou
sands of visitors were present from all
parts of the State, aud the city was beauti-
fully decorated. The first session sof the
league was held in the hall of the House of
Represen tatives, and the large number Of
delegates assembled taxed the capacity of
the vast hall to it's utmost. The officials of
the league state that the reception into the
league last night of three hundred new
clubs organized since the last campaign,
swells the total enrolment from s6S to l,l6S
clubs, with an average membership of one
hundred voters each. To Offset this league
the Democrats of Illinois have recently or
gauized their Young Mems Hickory Club. an
order W hioh is also said to show phenome-
nally rapid growth, and to demonstrate
the interest that is being taken by the
young men of both parties in the coming
campaign.
The objects of the Republican League
are briefly stated in the constitution to be
TO encourage and assist In the formation of
permanent Repub lican clubs; to unite snch
clubs for effective and organized work. and
generally to advance the principles of the
Republican party. Any permanently or
ganized club in the State. which has adopt
ed constitution, having not less than
twenty members. IL eligible to member
ship In the league, and all that 10 necessary
10 to make application In writing to the
secretary of the league.
There was round of applause when w.
w. Tracy, of Springfield. promptly, at ~
League to order. After prayer by the chap
lain, and then preliminary proceedings,
President Tracy spoke briefly.
THE PRESIDENTS GREETING.
At the conclusion of Chairman Traoy's
address Secretary Lester read the follow
letter from Benjamin Harrison:
W. w. Tracy. President Illinois State League;
AS have explained to you personally il will
not be possible for me 10 attend the meeting OF
the League clubs of the State of Illinois. Aug.
IL, nor can / write at any great length, but
beg TO extend 10 the large body Of intelligent
meeting my most hearty thanks for the invita-
tiOn so kindly extended. / beg also 10 express
the hope that your meeting may be large and
successful aud that after your conference the
young men who comprise its clubs will take up
the aggressive work of the campaign with in
creased zeal and interest Very truly yours,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
The following message from the Women's
Republican AssociatiOn of the United
States was read:
The Women's Republican Association OF the
United States sends greeting and assures Illinois
Republicans that the homes of the country are
with them In this contest.
MRS. J. ELLEN FOSTER.
Secretary Lester made q report assuring
the convention that If new clubs continued
to be organized as rapidly as they have
been during the past two weeks there
would be two thousand clubs In the State
by the 18th of September. making Illinois
ee.presidents of the State League and
delegates to the National League conven-
tion TO be held at Buffalo Sept Is were then
chosen. Following are the delegates at
5pOoTd James Williams s.maSe
Stansbury, +. w. Raymond. VIM. Barrett
cers were elected by scclamstlon: Presi.
dent. w. W. Tracy; Of sprlng6eld: score:
| secretaries. John Dewey, of Kane county,
and John j. Brown. of Fayette county;
treasurer, VIM. A. Paulsaun, of Chicago.
The report of the committee on resolu-
tions. read by chairman Jewell, was unani-
mously adopted by the convention. The
report c0ngratulates the country on the
magnificent prosperity due to the wise
legislation of the Republican p.rty and its
faithful administration. Endorses the Re-
publican platform of the State of Illinois,
and congratulates all the people on the
splendid outlook for Republican success
and tho consequent probable election of
men who have proved themselves equal 10
~ IA
party which they represent The report
concluded az follows:
We most heartily thank orr candidate for Vice.
president. Hon. whitelaw Reid, for his presence
here to-day, and extend to him the assurance OF
the Republicans OF the State that Illinois will
give the national ticket its old-time Republican
majority.
Richard Yates, candidate for Congress-
man at large. in response 10 calls. mounted
the speakers platform and addressed the
convention. He was warmly received. and
was frequently interrupted with enthusi-
astic applause. de was followed by Geo.
s. Wiliets, also candidate for Congressman
at large, who made q brief speech. predict
ing an overwhelming victory In illinois
this year
SHORT SPEECH BY GOVERNOR FIFER.
At $50 o'clock WhiteIaw REID entered
| the ball. arm-in-arm with Senator Cullom.
Upon his appearance the delegates jumped
into their chairs and cheered for several
minutes. After three tremendous cheers
were given for Reid. Senator Cullom
raped for order and introduced Governor
Fifer, who said:
Fellow-citizens-I know OF no better place TO
| open this campaign than right here In Spring
| Held. the Mecca OF American craftsmanship
here In the city that was once the home Of Abra-
ham Lincoln. who helped organize the Republican
party, and led IL 10 its first great victory. APP
plause.l IL was here this great grew 20 man
N a. ma
! character was developed. and 10 Is here that he
now lies buried Its peculiarly hitting. tnerelore,
| that we should begin our work here. For the
success OF this meeting credit - due 10 the
league clubs OF Illinois, under whose auspices IL
IL held. W. W. Tracy, the president, mas labored
| from all Republicans OF this state lApplause-l
These young men propose 10 take an active and
conspicuous part IN the great political battle
| which we inaugurate here to-day. Ny friends. I
believe We shall 40 forth 10 victory In this con-
test | believe It, because He are IN favor
because we believe in American wages for
American worKingmen- wages that will enable
/ our lab people 10 feed. cothe and educate
/ their children and thereby prepare them for the
| active duties and responsibilities OF American
| citizenship; because We In favor of honest
money; because We are in favor OF making the
/ pathway 10 the bal0t-box as broad, as smooth
/ and as safe for the black man a. IL is for the
! white man. GApplause.l
The administration OF President Harrison has
| been wise. rrm and statesmanllke that
| it has left nothing for Republicans 20 explain
away or Democrats 10 crtticse He mas upheld
the dignity of country both home and
ready contributed largely 10 the victory that
| waits US ia November. On behak or the RepuD-