Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-11-14
MR.. THURMAN IN DELAWARE
Pleasing "reminiscences of the
'.Old Roman"
A FAMOUS SPEECH HERE IN 1874
Greeted on the Train by a
Delaware Delegation.
On the Way Back from Chicago, In 1884
How the "old Roman" Was Greeted by
Wilmington Democrats When he ADJ
dressed Them in This City, in 1874.

Delaware Democrats, and particularly
those of Wilmington, have lively and
pleasant recollections of ex-senator
Allen G. Thurman of Ohio.
While serving in the Senate together
Senator Bayard of Delaware and Sena-
tor Thurman became close personal
friends, and in the campaign of 1874,
when Mr.. Bayard's reelection to the
Senate was at stake, Senator Thurman
came here to aid him with an address
at Democratic meeting. 1t was an
open-air meeting, held al Fourth and
King streets, and the speakers stand
was erected at the northeast corner.
The weather was fine, and the gather
ing large, numbering fully 5000 people.
Senator Thurman was at his best that
night, and made one of his great
speeches Naturally, the audience was
tired with enthusiasm, and the ap-
plause that greeted his telling points,
was most sincere and enthusiastic. He
carried the close interest and sympathy
of the large audience from first to last,
and when he concluded with burst of
thrilling eloquence, the enthusiasm
was unbounded. Men shouted and
waved their hats, and the cheers for the
"Old Roman that rent the air could
be heard for blocks away. 1t was
splendid tribute to an orator who had
captured the hearts Of those who heard
him.
Senator Thurman was visibly af-
fected by the warmth of the greeting
thus spontaneously rendered him by
the people of the city to whom he had
been up to that time u stranger, as far
as personal association was concerned.
And he was nightly pleased. Sena-
tor" he remarked to Mr.. .Bayard as the
two left the stage together, your boys
are credit to you. i"
Senator Thurman was introduced at
this meeting by Mr. Bayard, who al
luded TO the distinguished visitor as
one of the most purely patriotic mem
bers of the National Senate, whose pa
triotism and love of country were ex-
celled only by his private virtues and
high personal character. The meeting
was held on Monday night, the eve Of
election. and its effect was apparent in
the enthusiastic and effective work
done by the Wilmington Democrats at
the polls next day.
Coming home from the National
Democratic Convention held at Chi
cago, in 1884, Senator Thurman
boarded, at small station in Indi-
ana, the train to which the special car
of the Delaware delegation was at
tached. Instantly committee of the
Delaware party went back and invited
him into their car, which invitation
was promptly accepted. He was going
only short distance, to the junction
of another railroad, but during this
time he held delightful levee in the
Delaware car, cheerily greeting all the
members of the party as they were
presented to him. When he left the
train, the entire Delaware party got
off with him, and gathering in a circle
around him, gave three roaring cheers
for "Alen G. Thurman of Ohio"
Again was Senator Thurman pleased
and touched with the warmth of gen.
uine Delaware Democratic greeting.
He bowed and raised his hat. "Thank
you, boys he said heartily, as the
Deawareans boarded their train and
were carried eastward. And SO it is
that Delaware Democrats have warm
personal regard for the "Old Roman, !"
whose long and honorable life seems to
be at last ebbing away.