The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-28
SPEECH BY MIR. REED
He Talks at the Grant Birthday
Banquet of the Americas Club,
And Paints a Vivid Picture of Changes
Wrought in the Country by Demo-
cratic Success at the Polls.

PITTSBURG, April 1.-THE eighth an
nual banquet of the Americas Republican
Club in cOn1memor alton Of General
Grants birthday was held at the Monon-
gahela House and was attended by promi-
nent Republicans from all parts of the
country. Among the number were ex-
Speaker Reed, Congressman Wanger and
Robinson. General Frank Reeder, Hon.
Walter Lyon and General D. H. Hastings.
Covers were laid or 375, and every chair
was occupied Previous TO the banquet
reception was rendered ex-Speaker Reed.
The decorations in the banquet hall have
never been surpassed and the menu
that would satisfy the most fastidious cpl
cure. After full justice had been done to
1t, President Terrence introduced State
Senator Walter Lyon, who responded 10
the toast, "Our Guests Present" Gen.
Frank Reeder followed with the toast,
Grant" He paid a beautiful tribute to
the dead soldier and statesman.
Hon. Thomas b. Reed was the next
speaker. and when he arose he was
rendered an ovation. His address was inn
promptu. and in part was as follows:
THE last time I had the good fortune
10 address this club this country was in
state of peace and prosperity. Work was
plenty, capital was rejoicing in its produc-
tive strength and labor was enjoying the
right to sell it's services at prices which
brought happiness and comfort to all our
homes. The thirty years which had pre-
coded had witnessed the gradual and steady
rise of compensation for service of both
brain and muscle until every days work
was worth i'm results twice what it has
been worth since the last domination of
this Union by Southern statesmen and their
principles So firmly rooted seemed our
prosperity that all our citizens thought it
beyond the reach of heat and cold and all
hon ~ 4 hnV aF,1
felt that it beyond the touch of even
human folly. 1t seemed TO be beyond laws
the constitution of things, something TO be
calculated upon with unerring certainty
like the rise and set of suns and the .regu-
stars.
ut is not the disorganized crowds which
seem to be aiming, but in an aimless way,
towards the. capital of the Nation. 1t is
not the mills running on half and quarter
time and no time at all, nor capital piled
up unused at the eenters of trade, nor
even labor unemployed for nearly a year
past which completes the SaddeSt portion
of the picture. To me the sight most obi
Gus OF all is thelutter inability of the peo-
pie TO reach their own instruments, and
to compel the fulfillment of their own will.
Here, in land where government by the
people was fondly hoped - have found it's
truest and latest expression, the people
seem 10 be powerless to control their own
legislature and to correct by sober refiec-
ton the mistakes. Of the most thoughtless
day in American istory-the day when the
present Congress and the present executive
were chosen 10 preside over the unhappy
destinies of the citizens of the United
States.
Whatever large majorities would do,
whatever the exercise of the right of vot-
ing could do, has been done in large and
overfowing measure Why is this. and
what are the causes? Were we left to the
tender mercies of the Northern Dmocracy
L venture 10 say that no such condition
could exist for even a single hour 1t Is
because are under the domination, L
will not say of the South but of Southern
men, elected to office without those safe
guards which surround the election of the
Northern Democrats. For the sake of the
South itself hope to see the next election
bring us TO end of this unseemly DOM
ination. All election laws have been re-
pealed, and the South. having been set
free from a fear which never had any
sound founda tion,- will be left at liberty to
decide her destiny according to her indus
trial needs. which are the same. as those
of the North. tgstead Of a set of men
who represent The obsolete politics and
principles of a dead generation their sue
cessors, let US hope. will then represent
what the North longs to see-an indus
trious South. full OF life of the new conn
try Addresses We're also made by Gen.
Hastings and Congressman Robinson. Let
ters of regret were read from Col. Fred
Grant, Governor Mckinley. General Scho-
field, Senator'S Sherman, Hale, Hawley,
Cameron and Allison. Hon. Robert T. Lin
colin, James r. Garfield and many others.