Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-10-13
AT THE THEATRE.


Arriving at Harper's theatre the
procession encountered perfect lam,
and 1t was with difficulty that the
wee president and his escort made
their way into the house. Such a
concourse of people has not as
sembled at political meeting of any
Kind in the city before. Every avail
able space was taken until there was
not even standing room. 1t is esti-
mated that no less than 1000 people
were in the house, $50 of whom in
Guiding representative democrats of
the three cities had seats on the
stage.
AS the vice president entered from
the side he was given a tremendous
ovation.
Chairman +. S. Silvis, of the DEM
ocratic county committee, called the
meeting to order, and introduc Mai.
II. c. Connolly as chairman of the
meeting.
Maj. Connelly's Address,
In accepting the honor, Mai. Con-
nelly said:
Ladies and Gentlemen:-As YOU
know. we are here this evening to
welcome a distinguished citizen. We
are here to warmly greet a son of
Illinois, who sheds lustre on our be-
loved state. We are here to take by
the hand citizen of the republic,
who not only honors our common
wealth, but who also reflects honor
upon us as nation. He commenced
his political work when mere outh.
Older citizens will remember the
wave OF fanaticism which swept over
our country about 1852. Know
nothingism was rampant for q brief
time. Our distinguished guest then
commenced his political career and
threw himself into this political fight
with all his mastery power. He en-
deared himself to all nationalities
who left their foreign homes to seek
their fortune in the laud of liberty
Some of the best blood of the repub-
lie runs in the veins of the descen-
| dants of the old foreigners who came
to our shores years ago. They aided
US in fighting our battles. We are
indebted TO them in measure for the
great. grand and powerful govern
ment we are now enjoying. Wher-
ever our friend has been placed. he
has performed his duty manfully.
Step by step he has risen. AS mas
ter in chancery, as prosecuting at
torney, as presidential elecJor, as
member of congress, as delegate to
national democratic conventions and
chairman of the Illinois delegation
therein, as first assistant postmaster
general during Mr.. Cleveland
first administration, and as vice
president of this great republic
Adlai Stevenson was and is, the peer
of any man. Two years hence we
trust the great American voice will
say to him, 60 up higher. He will
now address you.
The Vice President.
The applause which greeted the
vice president as he rose to speak
was spontaneous, and sincere. Some
time elapsed before it had subsidec
sufficiently for Mr.. Stevenson tt
speak. In commencing, the vic'
president spoke of the pleasure i
afforded him to speak to such a mag
nificent audience in this historic city
of so grand a record and located OF
the great Father of Waters 1t wa.
his first visit to Rock Island; words
would therefore fail to express the
satisfaction with which he accepted
the invitation to come here. H,
was grateful for the cordial welcome
which would ever be one of the mos
pleasant memories of his life. Tn,
speaker then entering upon his ad
dress stated that he recognized thu
right of the people of n government
of the people to demand Of their ser
wants an account of their steward
ship and what they had done in car
rying out the principles upon whicl
they were placed in office.
In the presidential contest Of 1892
Mr.. Stevenson said, the battle wa
fought and won by the democratic
party almost upon the single issue o
tariff reform, that is upon the ISSUE
Of reduced taxation upon the neces
saries OF life as against high protec
tionism. Thus was Mr.. CLEVELAND
elected president and the democrac.
restored to power. Thus for the frs
time within a quarter of century
the democratic party on March 4
1898, controlled the presidency ant
both houses Of congress. With thes'
conditions prevailing the countr.
had much to expect of the restora
ton of the great historic party t.
power. The question was how ha
the party kept faith with the people
What steps have been taken alons
the pathway Of tariff reform? Ha
the democratic party kept its prom
Use to the ear end broken it to tn
hope, or has it made an earnest effor
to keep good every promise containe'
, in its platform? This is the question
submitted now for the peaceful arbi
trament OF the ballot. The vic
president demonstrated ut length
that the democratic sparty ha'
kept the faith with those VIII
had entrusted it with power-an
that against monopolies fostered an