The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-09-18
+GRAND RALLY.
The Campaign i'm Mankat0
/. Opened Most Auspi-
ciOusly.
Senator C. X. Davis Addresses
a Vast Audience ON the
F. Questions Ofthe Day.
He Advances UnanswerableArgu-
! ments i'm Favor of Sound
Monetary System.
Without pIaviup for. Annlaucn
Without Playing for Applause,
He Holds the Closest
Attention.
The Great Political DemOnstra-
ton Opened by a Torch
Light Procession.

The political campaign in Mankato
wasopened blythe Republicans Monday
night with grand demonstration. A
torch light procession by members of
the Mckinley Sound Money club
marched over so ne of the principal
streets, starting in from Cherry.
From four to five hundred members
were in line, the most of them bear
ing torches, and more would have
fallen in if the start had been delayed
a few moments longer. The excel
lent bands furnished music of an in
spring nature, and the utmost en-
thusiasm prevailed. Only voters car
ried torches, and had the streets not
been terribly muddy there would have
been over a thousand men in line.
But the showing, despite the adverse
conditions, was a splendid one. The
bursting of fire works and the display
of red light at invervalS along the
line of march added to the attrac-
tiveness of the event.
While the parade was in progress,
sight that must have been interesting
to political observers of all parties
was to be seen in front of the opera
house. 1t had been announced that
the doors would not be opened until
the paraders arrived and an immense
jam of people completely packed the
sidewalk for block on each side of
the entrance, and even crowded out
into the mud. The pack at length
became so great that shortly be-
fore eight o'clock the doors were
opened to admit few of the ladies
who were waiting to get in. This
was the signal for a forward push of
the crowd, and in less time than it
takes to tell it the mass of people had
pushed it's way in. No such gather
ing ever occurred before in the his
tory Of Mankato politics. The entire
audience was composed of adults, and
nineteen-twentieths of the people
were voters.
Senator Davis was the speaker of
the occasion, and gave magnificent
address, which was fitting opening
of the campaign. He made no play
for applause, that is resorted to by
speakers less able to hold the atten-
tiOn of an audience by uninterrupted
argument. He told no stories to keep
his hearers in good humor, for they
needed no such incentive to remain
and listen. Although he talked for
an hour and half and devoted aim ost
his entire time to the money ques-
tion, which affords little opportunity
for display of party enthusiasm, yet
he was frequently interrupted by hear
ty applause as he made some telling
argument. He made no disrespectful
illusions to the political adversaries
of the Republican party.
Senator Davis is an eloquent speak
er. uses perfect diction. and his ideas
are never common place. He is a
deep student and his thoughts are
always highly valued. He is no
stranger to Mankato audience and
; never disappoinGs one.
On the stage were seated the men,
bers of the Republican county COM
mittee, officers of the Mckinley
Sound Money Club and other leading
Republicans. The stage was decorat-
ed with portraits of Mckinley and
Hobart, with the national flag for a
background.
After an inspiring selection by the
band, Gen. Baker, who presided, call
ed on the Glee club, which is compos-
ed of Evan Hughes, Frank Crane, Ed.
Brett and ALT. Davies. This excel
lent musical organization responded
with campaign song, "Well all be
Happy Then" that appealed to the
party spirit of the listeners.