The record-union., 1896-10-29
A Torchlight Procession of More Than
5000 Men.
1t Was the Most Enthusiastic Greet
ing the Candidate Has Received
Since the Campaign Opened-Ihe
rLajOr Also Addresses Number OF
Other Delegations.

CANTON (O), Oct. 2S.-All Canton
was divided in two parts this evening,
those who marched to Major McKin-
ley's and those who viewed and cheered
the marching throngs
The business men of Canton, ire
spective of party, announced few days
ago that on Wednesday about sundoWn
they would call in body on Major Nc
Kinley. Tonight they made good their
promise, and they were Joined in their
demonstration by most of the other men
in the city. More than 5000 men
formed in line and marched with ban
ners and bands to the Mckinley resi-
dence just at sundown. Darkness fell
as they gathered in solid phalanxs in
the street around the candidates S
hcme There were acres of people. Far
as the eye could reach the glittering
1orchlightS revealed sea of upturned
faces.
Major Mckinley has not been greeted
by a larger or more enthusiastic as
semblage than that of his own towns
men which visited him tonight There
was a thrill of emotion in his voice
when he spoke.
Introductory remarks We're made by
Alexander Herford, one Of Canton's
most prominent business men, and by
w w Clark. Then the cheering for
Mckinley commenced anew, and rolled
in waves up and down the street for
many minutes. 1t was the most inspir-
ing scene of the day that had been
crowded with pleasant and interesting
incidents.
Major Mckinley said:
The people are enthused as never be-
fore, and L believe that the elections
next Tuesday will show much larger
vote than was ever polled in the history
of our country before. I'VE polled L.
000. 600 votes four years ago, and l will
be surprised if the vote on the Sd does
not far exceed that. In every State,
county, city and voting precinct, every
American elector feels this year that he
has a grave duty resting upon him, and
, / do not believe that any one VIII will
ingly absent himself from the polls.
They are not only going TO vote, but
they are going to vote right, as God di-
rects them to see the right, independent
of old party or political relations.
(Cheers)
1T is not question of candidates; it
is not a contention for office; it is a con-
tention for country; not a contention
inspired by sectional considerations, but
of devotion to the duty which affects
and inspires the great heart of the
American people. Not since the first
shot went crashing against the walls of
Sumter, rudely awakening the startled
Nation to the realization that civil war
had commenced, have the masses of our
fellow countrymen ever been aroused
as now With what shall always seem
10 me an unaccountable rashneSs, it IS
proposed at the end of a hundred and
twenty years of a glorious national life,
proposed in earnestness for the first
time in our history, to cast reproach up
on the honor Of the American Nation
TO give effect and force to that, not
merely by an act Of a State Legislature,
or Congress, bad as that would be, but
the American people are asked as they
enter their booths next Tuesday TO sol
emnlv ratify a proposition that means
national dishonor and reputation. j
do not believe they will ever do it.
THE issue may be obscured as il will;
brilliant orators or talented writers may
weave the most alluring sophistries,
but the plain. bald proposition cannot
be hidden. The voters of the United
States are asked to say by their ballots
that they are willing that our national
obligations shall be redeemed by the
Government in money worth only about
one-half as much as the Government re-
ceived for them. and that the pension
ers of the Government-the men who
were willing to give the best they had,
the best that any man possesses their
own life's bloOd-shall have their pen
sions cut in two.
The proposition IS unworthy Ameri-
can citizenship. and is an insult 70 in
tegrity. the good faith and the inspir-
ing history of our great republic. II
should receive, and believe it will re-
csive fitting rebuke by the ballots OF
* 600 600 free voters 1t should be
so overwhelmingly defeated that nc
convention of any great party Will ever
dare TO make so debasing a proposition
in any political campaign again.
'Why. If it prevails. how can the
American name escape dishonor? What
use 10 boast Of the glories of the past
SC we discredit them all in the living
present? Shall we proceed by reason
Of them to cast reproach upon the hon
ored names of the past by actual dis
honesty now? No nation can by the
action of the law justly absoive ltseli
from any honorable obligation. No ma
ton can by the wrongful exercise OF
power contravene the eternal princi-
BlNs vi lIulN anu Ihr~AiNNs e'iANA a'SN -
cape deserved and fearful retrihution
tApplause)
The American people will never take
so rash and wicked a step rs 10 in
validate or impair the value Of theil
own Government obligations. They
will never consent by popular vote
or otherwise to the reputation OF on'
farthing Of their national debt. The,
Will never brook the thought of no
looking the whole world in the fact
and challenging any nation to point t.
81 more honorable or credible record
than ours There can be no danger o
American citizens having to go bowed
with shamed faces either at home o.
abroad.
But, my fellow-citizens. the argu
r,,ents have been made: the case j:
ready to go to the jury, and the jur,
IS waiting impatiently to announce it
verdict. and we, as Republicans, con