The Portland daily press., 1892-07-04
GRESHAM THEIR HOPE.
Polk, the Peoples Party's Hero, Was
Eulegized Yesterday.
THEN THE GRESHAM BOOM WAS
PUT ON IT'S FEET AGAIN.

EXCraVaSanC PRAISES Oh INC DeaU AeaUer-
T.v.PowderIy, Gen. Weaver and Igna-
thus Donnel1y Among the Speakers
The Scene Was One Foreign to the
Usual Clamor of National Conven-
tion, Although Applause and Cheers
Greeted Some Striking Sentences.
OMAHA. Neb., July 3.-The committee
on permanent organization last night
chose Henry Loucks of South Dakota for
prominent chairman of the Peoples
Party convention by an almost unani
nous vote. Loucks is looked upon. as
the originator of the movement for in
dependent political action which cul-
minated in the foundation of the party.
Two years ago, he was a candidate for
the governorship of his state and receiv-
ed over $4,000 votes. The vast as
semblage which attended the second
days session of the convention afforded
striking proof of the respect in which
the memory of the late Col. Polk is held
| by the supporters of the movement which
he was instrumental in founding. The ses-
sion was devoted to the delivery of ad
dresses eulogistic of the dead champion
of reform. Though the speeches con-
tanned many inspiring sentences as to
the future of the fight in which the in
dependent party is engaged, recogni-
sustained in the death of it's leader
seemed the one thought which filed the
minds of the delegates. Rarely was
there departure from a solemn silence
which gave to the gathering more of the
air of church service than great ma
tional convention.
The opening address was delivered by
Mr. I.oucks Of South Dakota, and was
marked by sympathy and feeling which
caught every member of the vast audi
ence. One sentence which broke the
painful stiffness Of the gathering was the
declaration that the people of the new
movement looked to L. L. Polk as the
Lincoln of the era of freedom. 'Broth-
| er Polk,' the speaker continued,
twas the man whose place cannot be
| filled. He was the one around whom all
our hopes centered as they can around
no other man. He died martyr to
our cause from overwork.'
| Mrs. Todd of Michigan paid touching
| tribute to the deceased leader. She said
| Ills dIUlUuoC W LaC y OI UuO lOo
ent system of government gained for
! him persecution and villainous slander.
''He was crucifed," she, said, sas the
saviors of the people have been crucified
| in one form or other, but he is not dead.
He never lived until now and the recol-
| lections of his deeds will ever be an in
spiration until the victory of our cause is
proclaimed"
Gen. Weaver summed up in pathetic
and well chosen words the life and deeds
| of Col Polk. The sentence received
with the loudest and longest cheers was
a quotation from the dead reformer: "I
am standing now just behind the curtain
and in the full glow of the charming sun
set Behind me are the shadows of the
track, before me lies the dark valley.
When I mingle with its dark waters I
want to cast one lingering look upon the
country where government is of the peo-
pie, for the people and by the people,"
Mrs. Lease of Kansas was followed by
the most eloquent speaker of the day,
Hon. Ignatius ponnelly. "a great man, y
said Nj. Donnelly, ''has fallen, and we
erect today over the dust of our dead
| friend and brother monument more en-
/ during than brass or marble, a monu-
\ ment of affection and honor. His great
heart was in this work. f he moves
among us invisible at this moment he
will little regard the honors we pay his
memory, but he sees vast vista of fu-
! ture and uncountable millions of other
/ nations, whose faces are to be wreathed
in smiles or distorted with agony as we
succeed or fall"
! In response to loud calls, T. V. Pow
derly also eulogized Col. Polk, saying,
''He has gone to the kingdom behind the
clouds, where the tongue of calumny can
not reach him and where the dagger OF
the assassin cannot touch him. Even his
enemies will say of him now the words
which they should have said of him in
life.''
1t was voted to raise fund for Col.
Polk's family by five cent subscriptions
throughout the country.