The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-08-17
Oa.o Va tey xts,, 7aurs4ay. Ap;rl,t lS.

Oh.o Va lev NtnI, Thurstdy AncttF i6
The Septuagenarian club met at the
residence OF William Clark Tuesday at.
ternoon and wero very pleasantly en-
tertaincd. In addition to tho regular
members, Hon. A. W. Campbell, for so
many years editor OF the WHEELING
DAILY ISrELLlcEScER, aud who. per-
haps did moro than any single indi-
vdual to keep the western portion Of
the state OF Virginia in tho union dur
ing tho sIaye.holdors' rebellion, and
finally 10 accomplish the organization Of
tho young state of WOst Virginia, was
present, aud at the earnest solicitation
OF Mr.. Clark. seconded by others, made
tho following romarks, which were
highly appreciated by all present:
He alluded humorously 10 tho hard
skip imposed upon him by Mr.. Clark.
in first enticinG him, by tho quality Of
his viands, into tho eating OF very
hearty dinner. and then, instead OF Civ
ing him a chance 10 digest ii, com
polling him 10 break oil a pleasant cou-
versatlon with those about him md get
on his feet to say something ia the way
OF Dpeech. After this preface hp pro-
coded TO give some account Of dinner
at which he was present many years
ago Mt 9Ir. Clark's housO-as far back Us
the year lS75-at the timo ox-Prcsldent
Hayes was making his third run for
governor OF Ohio. Tho ex.president
and Hon. Ben Eggleston. Of Cincinnati,
were guests Of Mr. Clark at that dinner,
and were afterwards speakers at q
political meeting in Walnut Grove.
"lhis," said Mr.. Campbell, twas nearly
twenty years ago. Mr.. Clark was then
fitty.tour years old; now he con-
fesses to sevonty.four. A great deal
has happened to him and 10 all tho rest
OF us in that time, aud TO the country
and tho world at largo. The prominent
guest OF that occasion afterwards be-
came the chief magistrate OF the United
Statos, and an excellent administration
he gave us-one that is more appreci-
aied now than at the time. Since then
that honorel guest Inns passed away,
and with him almost all men who were
prominent as his foes or friends. After
ALL" eaid Mr.. Campbell, mo one man
holds his place very long either in pub.
lie or private life. Men arc too much
concerned with tho living present to
bestow much thought on tho dead past.
Just now the great concern OF our day
is not 90 much the political issues that
wero uppermost when last sat at Mr..
| Clark table, on tho occasion roferred TO-.
(although the money question then, rs
now, was an issue), but q larger and
greater question, viz: the question OF
law and order as involved In the recent
great industrial disturbances. This
country was never in a moro serious
frame OF mind than to-day. This may
well bo the case, seeing that the we'll
being Of every citizen, without regard
to politics. is most directly at stake.
One OF the causes OF our disturbances is
tho great evil Of m excessive and unde-
nirable immigration to our shores. We
ovcrstock our labor market and wo ac-
cumulate people whom other nations
are only too glad to got rid OF, and this
element ia put into our political
hot-house and rapidly given votes, and
these votes control tho destinies OF not
only cities and states, but OF the whole
country. This Is the serious aspect oil
our times and makes US pause just now
in tho midst OF our partisan politics.
How are we going to meet this new
phase OF our national existence? One
way to meet it Ia TO awake to the danger
that Is threatening US from illegitimate
foreign immigration. That ia tho first
great necessity. Politicians shrink
from touching this question. They
look only to votes. and they have IN
idea that this 10 not the popular side Of
politics; but in this" said Mr.. Camp
bell, 'they make great mistake. The
Intelligent and well.atiected people OF
this country, native and foreign born.
nte ripe for change. It is Il question
OF self preservation. II is a question Of
adequate employment at adequate
wages. It is really question OF civil
cation" Mr.. Campbell referred to u
prediction OF Macaulay, that this COUP
try would possibly be forced to make n
choice between its civilization and its
liberty. "1his prediction" said he,
"has been revived during our
recent troubles, and many peo'
ople have ominously shaken their
heads during thata dreadful cul-
ninating week at Chicago. Europe was
almost persuaded that revolution was
upon US, and that, after all, VIC were a
mere South American sort Of govern
mont like Brazil and tho rost OF them.
But that danger Inns passed away for
tho present, and 1t is to be hoped has
left wholesome lesson behind. We
have a new opportunity to examine our
social and political condition. Prosi-
dent HAYES, tho one-timo honored
guest at this table, had met tho nd
vance guard Of this question In tho riots
Of 1877. and his successor has met q now
phase OF it in 1904. But, as We havc
seen, it may soon be upon US again.
We can not escape tho cloae examining
ton Of our citizenship. Wo must meet
this question OF dangerous cit
izenship. Tho national stomach
has takcn in moro than It
can digest or assimilatc. and We
have IL now horG as menncing element.
Tnke away, as far us We can. this monaco
NJ tho future, by vigorously restricting
immigration, and TINS raiaO both tho
stasdard Of employment and citizen
shin in this country. This, "snid Mr..
Cam pboIl, in conclusion, sis tho duty Of
all here present to-day, and Of all good
citizens everywhere" And in saying
his ho was warmly endorsed by all
present aB Ito took his scat.
Tho meeting WA one OF tho most
nleasRnt and profitable ever held. Mr..
Clark believes in tho declaration that
"NIan docs not live by bread alone, y
aud while tho rcpast for the support Of