The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-05


vioo president, who came at the invita-
both to the great conoouss OF people at
hall and 10 smaller gather
ing at the Wattsrson club house, where he
was given a reception, and where Waiter
son, in spite of his recent severe illness, Of
which he showed decided traces. also spoke.
Flags and bunting shone everywhere.
The Watterson club house was Qorg-
eous with decorations by day and
ablazs with illumination BY night
Hon. John Young Brown, governor
of Kentucky, introducedIG Stevenson to
with tremendous enthusiasm and spoke ut
considerable length. Speeches were also
made by Hon. j. Proctor Knott, Hon. Jas.
A. Mckenzie, Hon Boyd Winchester and
Hon. Albert L. Willis and others. After
the adjournment Of the mass meeting Gen.
Stevenson gave public reception. The
members of the Watterson club
and other guests then repaired to
theN club ho1se where lepast,
followed by feast of reason and flow of
soul awaited the democratic braves. Wat
that before the national convention the
democrats had their choice of candidates. as
was the right of each to have. Now that
the convention has made the ticket and
fixed the lines. they are all for Cleve-
land and Stevenson, with no longings Or
regrets.
Mr.. Stevenson, in the course of his re-
marks, said: ''When the momentous
issues that divided the people and sections
passed from the domain of debate and
ballot to the dread arbitrament of arms. !
believed with Stephen A. Douglas that the
most direct road to peace lay Though the
most stupsndous preparations for var.
From the beginning to the close OF that
great conflict 7 was for maintaining 1T
whatever cost the fede al union. With
the restoration of federal authority
believed with the democratic party
in the north that perfect restoration of
union was to be wrought out in spirit of
patriotism and not hate. With some of the
states the period of reconst' uction was but
another name for misrule. for the political
ostraoism of the white race. for the robbery
of q people already impoverished by war.
for outrage upon the rights OF property and
people go mOnstrOuA as now almost to ohal-
lenge belief. in Il word, all that was losthe-
some and all that was offensive. That whioh
was called government in many southern
states can be summed up in one word
reconstruction.
"It would serve no wise purpose to revive
memories Of the era but for the reason that
we are now confronted by the startling
fact that tho party IN power stands
pledged to the enactment of a force bill.
History would but repeat itself. The evils
that would follow the legislation now
threatened would fnd their counterpart
only in those which make mp 80 shameful
part of the reconstt uotion period. In
view of the fact mentioned. and the further
fact that with such powerful auxiliaries
as northern ENTERPRISE and northern capi-
tai tho south stands on the threshold of a
material development unknown to this
generation. Can it be possible that the
American people will now consent that the
hands be turned back upon the dial and All
era of misrule, outrage and violence again
inaugurated?
II believe the dedication of the Watterson
club house 10 an event which may be far
reaching in its consequences. Within its
walls great public questions will be dis
oussed. cannot doubt that in the i'm
pendinR str 1gRle for political supremacy.
and in those which are to follow, the Wat
terson club will prove the faithful ally and
counsellor of tho great historical party
which came in with Jefferson, and
been the bulwark of the rights
of the people. More than all, with years
will come new problems for solution. grave
problems the outgrowth of advancing civ
llizRtion: problems which will pc. tain to
social government and munici pal admins
tration; which will pertain, it may be. to
questions of diplomacy and war; aye. which
take hold of the very foundations of the
social fabric. Let Us trust that in all COM
ing years from the hall dedicated tonight
there will spring an influence and power
ever for the right. ever for the defense of
the unfortunate and oppressed, ever for
that which ia noble, q pue hearthstone.
and in council ever for tho maintenance at
whatever cost of our democratic institu-
tions and the perpetuity OF the American
republic."