Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-10-01
II WAS A WHALE
Friday Nights Rally Was Most Magnif-
icent Success.
BELDING REPUBLICANS AREIN LINE
One of the Largest Political DemOnstra.
tiOns Ever Seen i'm IOnia Co.

Hon. A. B. Cummins Made IA Fine Speech
in Favor of Protection, Reciprocity and
sound Money which was ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Received by Ills Vast Audience.
There have been large political dem
onstrations in Iona county but it has
been many years since there was one
If indeed there ever has been one
which equaled that of Friday night,
held under the auspices of the Young
Mems Republican Club in this city.
1t demonstrated the fact that the young
and progressive elements of Republi-
canism when concentrated with detin-
lite object in view are equal to every
emergency and can manipulate matters
to come their way with rush and a
crush. Verify it was monster demon
stration and called forth this from the
Ionia Sentinel the following day:
Brilliant were the scenes i'm the
Silk City last night, when from 5000
to IL, O0s people turned out to join in
the banner Mckinley demonstration of
the campaign. 1t was indeed one Of
the greatest political demonstrations
ever held in Ionia county, and plainly
shows which way the wind is blowing
in this section. 1t strongly indicates
that Ionia county will roll up solid
substantial Republican majority, and
that every man on the ticket will be
elected. The demonstration is a straw
which strongly indicates that the peo-
pie are rallying round the stars and
stripes with their patriotism, in de-
fence OF national honor; that the prin-
ciples of McKinleyism, sound money,
reciprocity, protection and Republi-
canism are right; that they will be up
held; that the old flag will not be dis
honored; that those glorious princi-
Piles will lead the way to victory in
November
A large space upoa the second floor
OF the Belding-Hall refrigerator fac
tory had been cleaned and seats placed
for thirty-fve hundred, 1t was also
gaily decorated with flags and bunting,
and on the platform stood very large
portrait Of Mckinley. Committees
were appointed from among members
of the club to complete arrangements in
detail and they did their work well.
The ushers wore badges and they
handled the crowd in the hall which
filled every seat, in fine shape They
were Cbas FOote, A. b. Hull, Lew
Sagendorf, Harry Lester, +. L. Sagen
dorf, Con Eddy, Len Smith, Marion
Case, Earl Wilson, Ben Angel, Will
bur Whitney, Platt Green, Geo. Crou-
ter, Jas. Wilcott and Jesse Wilbur.
When the special trains arrived the
parade formed on Bridge and Main
streets and the line which was upwards
OF mile long glittered with torches
and transparencies. Six bands, Stan
ton, Greenville, Ionia, Smyrna, Bel
ding K. p. and French's 5 Kids were in
the procession One of the striking
features of the parade was the march
ing of the Ladies Mckinley club com
posed of twenty young ladies wearing
Mckinley and Hobart shirt waist fronts
and ties and carrying colored umbrel-
las, they were loudly cheered and were
given front seats on the rostrum. Fire
works were sent of, colored lights were
burned, cannons doomed and the line
OF march was one blaze Of glory.
DR.. j. f. Ferguson in uniform and
on horseback was officer OF the even
ing and led the parade being ably as
sisted by Captain II. A. Wilder and
Lieutenants G. NJ. Wise and Geo. f.
Smith. Several thousand were unable
TO gain entrance to the place of speak
ing. 1t was after nine O'Clock when
chairman B. f. Hall called to order
and announced that Chaplain Lozier
would lead IN singing campaign songs,
he did so and set the large audience in
good humor. Mr.. Lozier was an old
army Chaplain and author of many
war songs among them being Tent
ing tonight on the old camp ground. y
Hon. f. 5. Wager of Edmore nomi-
nee for State senator from this dis
trict was first introduced and acknow-
lodged the honor with brief pointed
speech showing that he has ability to
make good Senator, the people were
pleased to see him and he was loudly
applauded. Hon. A. b. Cummins was
then introduced amid loud applause.
He appologised for attempting to stand
in the place Of DR. Gunsaulus, but pro-
ceeded TO make an excellent speech.
He is fine orator and his voice could
be distinctly heard through the hall.
At the close Of his speech the Ladies
Mckinley club sang America assisted