The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-29
j. L. GRIFFITHS'S SPEECH
1T AROUsEs MUCH ENTHUSIASM AT
ENGLISH'S OPERA HOUSE.
Remarks by Ex-Judge Byron N.
Elliott, Who Presided.

L. GrifhthS at Eng1Sh'S Opera House. In
an address of unanswerable logic, enlivened
at times by pungent sarcasm. Mr.. Griffiths
sustained his reputation as one OF Indiana 6
best orators. Byron K. Elliot presided.
The stage was beautifully decorated with a
profusion Of large flags, while the speaker S
stand was ornamented with the national
colors, a picture Of Mckinley, encircled
with a golden wreath occupying a con-
spicuous place. The parquette and balcony
of the theater were already crowded when
the Marion Club, headed by a band and act
ing as an escort for the speakers, came
through the stage door. The band was
stationed in the wings and the Marion
Club marched upon the stage to the music
OF Marching through Georgia" the audi
ence let itself loose in tremendous and pro-
longed cheers. After the glee club re-
sponded to hearty encore County Chair
man Young introduced sx-Judge Elliott as
the permanent chairman of the evening. In
part Mr.. Elliott said:
I'm the papers of to-day appears bonn
bastic article from Chairman Jones. who
declares that a solid South will join with
silver West again proclaiming the doc
trine Of sectonalism which controlled the
Chicago convention and which is now
struggling to control the Nation
Mr.. Elliott said that the war Of the re-
bellion was a contest between sectionalism
and nationalism.
THE words Of the war cry have
changed said he, but the central prin-
ciple has not changed. 1t is a matter of
congratulation that upon this great issue
OF nationalfsm against sectionalism, the
National Democratic party-the party of
Cleveland, Carlisle and all other great DEM
ocrats is against coalition unwaveringly.
That man Bryan is candidate of coalition
Political coalitions have been condemned by
all great writers on political economy.
Every thinking man knows that the chief
object of their formation is to secure office
for hungry office hunters and places for
salary grabbers. If there is necessity for
three parties there is necessity for three
candidates. 1t is true that the man who
represents three parties has principles
or the parties have none. His boast that
he is the nominee of three parties proves
that he has neither a just conception of the
requirements Of the office to which he as
pires sense of it's dignity.
1T may be true that all who favor voting
for Bryan do not favor reputation, but 1t
is true that Reputation must follow his
election. Those who are invincibly deter
mined that the credit and honor Of the Ma
ton shall be maintained unspotted and in
violate will give their votes to the states
man whose every act and inspiration has
been for the good of the whole country and
all its people, without respect to locality or
clan. Those who believe, against history,
that the legislative pen can create values
and manufacture money will give their
votes to the breezy gentleman who halls
from the wind-swept plains of Nebraska
daughter and applause.)
Mr.. Elliot said that the people believe
that under McKinley's administration pros
perity will come again, and that they Will
hear again the sound of anvils ringing.
1.-THE past is the security for William Nc
Kinley. What security can Mr.. Bryan give?
His political past is almost blank, and
where it is not blank it is not commendable.
His present is made up Of wild notions of
finance and worse notions of national and
individual integrity. 1t will do for these
men whom the free lances of the press have
styled Popocrats, but it will not do for
Cleveland Democrats and certainly not for
Republicans like you and me-.
BRYAN'S CROWN OF SHAME.
Mr. Elliott, in conclusion, spoke Of the
crown of shame Bryan is seeking to press
upon the brows of intelligent working men
of the country, when he urges them to con-
ceal their political preferences and become
sneaks and hypocrites.
Shall such a man be chosen to ill our
highest executive Office and be pointed out
by the world as a type of American states
manship?" asked Mr.. Elliott. He was
answered by loud cries of mo! no! never!"
In brief words Mr.. Elliott presented Mr..
Griffiths to the audience remarking that he
was a man who needed introduction to
citizens of Indianapolis. Mr.. Griffiths
oil oct al ovation and he
frequently interrupted by loud applause
and much laughter. Bryan he referred to
as a political mountebank, running about
the country vaporing buffoonry like poiu
cal skirt dancer. Several times Mr.. Crit
fiths mentioned the names of Mckinley and
Harrison and the wild cheers with which
they were received show that they are re-
garded as synonymous with honor and pros
perity Perhaps the most enthusiasm Mr..
Criffiths aroused was by the statement that
he had recently gone into the Republican
city of Louisville, in the Republican State
of Kentucky where he was informed that
Mckinley would have majority OF twenty
five thousand.
"I told them" said Mr.. Grif1ths. that If
that is true, from this side of the Ohio the
wires would speak back saying, we go you
twenty-five thousand better.
Inc SHOUTS ShCCiS Win "AAASAA @A'aS
assertion was received clearly indicated
that every man in the opera house has
made up his mind to how he will vote
and that it will be for Mckinley.
Mr.. Grifiths said in part:
MANY great questions have been settled in
this country in the last thirty years, ques-
tions involving the national honor and the
rational life but none of them. not even
the question of slavery itself, with all the
tremendous consequences wrapped up In 1t,
was of more vital import, was more preg-
nant with veal or woe to the future or the
Republic, than the question OF an honest
or a dishonest dollar. The issue has been
fairly made Disguise 1t. distort II as you
please. in its final analysis it resolves it
Will we honestly fulfill our Obligations
public and private, or VIII we dishonestl"
rerudiate them? For forty years two great
nolitical parties have lined up in battle in
this country and fought valiantiy for what
they believed to be proper. just and right.
All that is changed now. The bittereSt po-
iitical opponents of a decade aye of four
wears ago disregarding former animosities
and prejudices, are now working side by
side in perfect sympathy for the preserva-
ton of the national honor and the national
credit
TRIBUTE TO GOLD DEMOCRATS.
The Chicago convention did not repre-
sent the best thought the highest intelli-
pence and the truest conscience of the
Democratic party. Recently in this city We
looked into the faces of earnest. serious,
determined rnen-men who had upheld the
principles OF that party in storm and in