The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-15
WOMEN GREET M'KINLEY.
Five Hundred from Cleveland Call on
Him and Make q Speech.

Kim and Make Speech.
Canton. O., July 15.-Despite a blind
ing rain storm 500 representative vo-
men of Cleveland came to Canton this
morning. They were headed by a
splendid woman's brass band and were
met by a committee of Canton women.
Fortunately as their train reached
Canton the sun broke through the
clouds and forming in columns of two
they marched to the Mckinley home.
There thousands of people blocked
the streets and surged through the
grounds in great confusion. When qui-
ct was restored Mrs. Elroy M. Avery,
presented Major Mckinley. Standing
on a chair as she said.
Mrs. Avery said: I'VE come from
Cleveland, Cleveland the beautiful;
Cleveland that still lives, the queen
city of the lower lakes; the great heart
of the Western reserve. that gave Gid
dings, Wade and Garfield to the nation;
a city of great American industries that
are suffering from un-American legis-
latiOn; an unfortified American city on
the border, facing the Canadian shore
and yet recognizing that our best pro-
lection against foreign aggression is a
protective tariff.
Coming from a city of hundred
years, today we turn aside from our
centennial to do homage to the man
who best represents this great Ameri-
can idea, under the fostering care of
which we hope Cleveland will glOriOusly
flourish and bravely celebrate Ohio s
second hundredth year. We come 10
greet you, not as politicians, but as
women, as wives and mothers and sis
ters. We may not fully appreciate
man made political platforms. but we
better understand the significance of
current events than some folks give US
credit for.
we know that when you enter at
the door of the White house peace and
comfort will enter at our doors; that
when you receive your heritage by the
decree of a grateful people, our hUs-
bands and fathers will receive the fruits
of their industry and the heart of the
wife and mother be made glad.
Among men your name stands as
a synonym for protection to American
industry, it stands for sound money
and reciprocity, for freedom from ocean
to ocean. Among women it stands for
more than that-it stands for protec-
ton for the home, it stands for right
thinking and right living. it stands for
tenderness to mother and for love OF
wife, for all that makes the American
home the dearest spot on earth
Governor Mckinley as he mounted
the chair on his veranda after the Ger
emony of waving handkerchiefs and
parasOls and handclapping, said: Il
greatly appreciate this friendly call
from the women of the city of Cleve-
land and assure you that 1 do not I'm
der value their gracious message of
congratulatiOn and confidence which
you have so eloquently delivered.
deep
terest which you feel and which should
be felt by every family in the land, in
the public questions of the day and
their rightful settlement at the polls.
There is no Limitation to the influence
that may be exerted by women in the
United States and no adequate tribute
can be spoken of her services to man
kind throughout it's eVentful history.
Not only have some of the brightest
pages of our national history been il
Illuminated by her splendid example and
noble efforts for the public good, but
her influence in the home, the church,
the school and the community in mold
ing character for every profession and
duty to which our race is called has
been potential and sublime
''One of the tenderest passages to me
in the works of John Stuart Mill beau
tifully expresses this thought 1t is
recorded in his biography when he
paused to pay high and devoted tribute
to his wife, of whom he could not speak
too much. He says: She was not
only the author of many of the best
things I did, but she inspired every
good thing I did, Many men there
are from whom franl1ness would not
withhold but command a like express
sion of obligation to woman, WIFE
mother, sister, friend. (Great APPLAUSE
"One of the best things of our civ
ilization in America is the constant ad-
Vancement of woman to a higher plane
of labor and responsibility. The op-
portunities for her are greater than
ever before.
Respect for womankind has become
with US a national characteristic; and
what a high and manly trait it is, none
nObler or holier 1t stamps the true
gentleman. The man who loves his
wife and mother and home will respect
and reverence all womankind. He IS
always the better citizen for such gen
tie breeding. The home over which
the trusted wife presides is the cita-
del of our strength, the best guaranty
of good citizenship and sound morals in
government
The women, led by Mrs. Scott, sang
a campaign chorus song accompanied
by the band, and then Miss BirdeIle
Switzer presented Mrs. Mckinley with
an enormous basket of flowers.
During the afternoon the women had 4
a ratification meeting at the tabernacle !
with lunch, music and impromptu
speeches.