Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1896-08-13
SENATOR ]. NJ. THuRsToN.

Fully 5000 people took part. either as par
tlcipants or as spectators, and most of the
spectators might be denominated pariic-
pants. for nearly every man. woman and
child blew horn. or in some way gave
noisy vent TO pent-up Republican enthusi-
asm.
The great parade was headed by Mar
shalrs band. and interspersed through 1t
were Il number OF other bands or drum
corps. Six uniformed tlambeau clubs. with
torches and fireworks, came first: then two
mounted fambeau clubs; then the eight
Mckinley clubs OF the city, and last a reg
iment of bicycle riders, who carried torches
and banners. Each club bore a number of
transparancies, and occasionally four
horse float would break into the line.
Cheers which started at one end would
sweep over half dozen blocks, like a
wave from the storm-tossed sea, and then
the bands and the drums and the kaEoos
would he drowned into silence.
Kansas avenue was packed for block aft
Q: block with shouting humanity. and the
street cars and other vehicles We're forced
TO so into retirement FOR the space of
about an hour. When the parade was
over the crowd surged around to Hamii-
ton hall. where Senator Thurston and 9TH
ers Were announced to speak. No more
than II fraction could gain admittance,
however, every seat was occupied. every
foot of standing space taken and the pack
extended down the stairways and into the
street.
Senator Thurston was the first speaker.
His speech was along different lines from
an afternoon address which he had deliv-
cred at Garfield park. He discussed pro-
lection and finance from the laboring mans
standpoint. and each OF his tening points
,tHg. "A tl H.. .t,,
The only other speaker was Congressman
Calterhead, who discussed tariff and
rnance, 1t was undoubtedly the best
speech Mr.. Calderhead has delivered at the
state capital and he was greeted with gen
erous applause.
An audience estimated to number COCO
faced Senator John ". Thurston. OF Me-
hraska, at Garfield park this afternoon.
In opening his address, he spoke of III,
magnificent assembly as acres of people"
The crowd radiated out from the speakers
stand on every side until in truth. acres
were covered but the powerful voice of the
Nebraska man swelled out over the tier
on tier Of people and reached the outer
edge as clear and distinct as the toll of a
bell
on the stand about the speaker were
seated many of the Republican leaders
OF Kansas. including Congressman Blue.
Long. Curtis and Calderhead. Hon. j. n.
Troutman, 4, \. Potter, Cy Leland, a. II.
Ellis, Professor Swensson. General Cald-
well. s. II. Peters. Bernard Kelley and j.
X. Hudson. Ex-Governor Thomas A. os-
borne. served as chairman. and Marshalls
Military band interpreted the proceedings
with patriotic music.
Senator Thurston became en- rapport with
his audience at the very tirst sentence. He
said that his voice was as husky and
ragged and unreliable as the Democratic
l.Ft ~. D. ola.
form. 1t would grow better as II went
nlOng. The address was confined strictly
to discussion of the financial issues. The
SPEAKER used neither notes nor manuscript
nut spoke eAtefnpordncOusly from points
suggested by the audience which arose
m the progress Of his argument, He ap-
which he declared himself to be. and
he punctured the faliacies OF the free coin
age people. II was not "A question of BIZ
Inatal!ism or friendliness to silver now. he
American people should stand up for an
honest dollar or go to the financial syi-
lar would buy two dollars of the money
OF any free coinage nation on earth. and
he Was unaiterably opposed to system
lean dollar 10 the shifting value of the
Mexican coin, or. on the other hand. 10
American dollar by pledsng the faith Of
the American nation.
MNth the speaker ueHlaHutN 10 KNOW
who in Kansas, had any silver 10, take
to the mint to have Its value doubled,
voice from the audience shouted: "st.
John" Quick as u shot the speaker re-
spDnded. Eyes, and Judas Iscariot had
some of the same kind of bullion"
Great waves OF laughter rolled oyer the
audience as Senator Thurston described the
results which would follow II the system
Of the free silvertss could be applied 10
all the affairs OF life
"If six inches could only be called
foot" said he. History would look back
upon us with the comment, There were
giants in those days II eight feet could
only he called a rod. every man would dou-
bile the size OF his farm, H. eight quarts
could only be called a bushel. ye gods,
what crops you kansans would raise"
came when some voice in the audience de
manded: what about Tillman and Alt
geld?' With these names for theme, the
spea ker thundered out an appeal for pa
triotism, intermingled with an excoriaton
OF socialists and unrcconstructed rebels,
which raised the audience to Its feet,
In conclusion the senator paid his re-
platform In swift following and burning
sentencss. he arraigned the party which
had declared in its platform that the power
of the federal government should not cross
n state line TO protect the lives and prop
erty Of American citizens, and which was
apbealing for votes through threat upon
the constitution and u half promise to sub
vert the good govsrnment OF America to
I'VE of Nebraska know W, J. Bryan"
declared the speaker. and the more we
know him the less we vote for him When
| he first ran for congress he was elected by
| 5000 majority. Two years later he squeezed