The San Francisco call., 1896-06-21

in the Tabernacle. If the proportion of
women in the audience was indicative of
the interest taken by the fair sex in poll
tics then it might be conceded that woman
suffrage has a strong hold in Alameda
County.
On the platform, among others, were w.
r. Davis, r. W. Church, A L. Frick, H.
D. Talcott, F. s. Stratton and c. May, and
it may be said every prominent Republi-
can in the county. The first speaker on
the programme was the Hon. S. G. Hill
born, who was not present. The mention
of his name was received with cheers. F..
S. Stratton was presented and said:
II but repeat Senator ingalls, when
state that This is the people year At
no time IN ouI history since the civil war
has the power of public opinion been SO
remarkably exhibited as in the movement
which eliminated this week in the NOM
ination of William Mckinley. The move
ment toward him was popular move
ment. 1t came from the masses. 1t gath
all obstacles, bearing great rivals and local
iealousies before it. His adversaries
united against him with admirable tenn
per and dexterity. 1t was even equal in
the strength of its opposition 10 that
against Blaine in 1876 and in 1880. Hut
there was great groundsweu urging the
nomination of Mckinley and one before
which politicians, combinations and even
statesmen gave way.
From the beginning Mckinley was the
only candidate who was seriously regarded
by the country. Mr.. Reed had high intel
lectual powers, immense force of character
and an impressive personality. Governor
Morton had achieved arank among leaders
that justified any aspiration, but the voice,
not only of New England, but even of New
York, was for Mckinley. And so it was
that favoTite sons in many States were
swept aside in the demand for this one
nomination.
The people have been schooled by
means OF adversely; they are fatigued by
and falling prices. The prophecies of Mr..
Cleveland and of the Democratic party
have not brought relief, and as one of the
St. Louis correspondents wrote, The
farmers want the country to sell more corn
and less bonds The meeting tonight is
truly ratification meeting, and is rati-
fication OF what was done at st. Louis.
What was done at st. Louis was only
greater ratification of what had been done
and decided by the Union at large. There
never was q time when party fealty and
party discipline were so lax.
"The signs of independence, of careful
consideration, show that the people are
thinking, and that mere empty associa-
tions and party ties will no longer bind
the masses. A political speech can no
longer be made by mere reference to the
past. Party names do not mean as much
as they did. The independent voter is
abroad, and the man of individual convic-
tions is a force IN the land. Platforms
lately have been taken to mean but little,
declarations have been received as of
small weight. Republican platforms usu-
al Y aA wit n ba nf
the party and viewed with alarm the acts
and indi cations of its adversary.
''All this has passed away. The Repub-
lican party can no longer stand upon its
record alone. 1t must succeed. and it will
succeed, upon its promises and hopes for
the future. The election of Mckinley is
assured, not because the nomination was
founded upon impulse. nor the influence
of speech, but because from this time on
until November the American people will
give to the great issues sincere study, calm
consideration and oeaseless reflection.
There never was time since the aboli-
tion of slavery, when the masses were so
profoundly agitated as now by sense of
Injustice, and the unequal distribution of
privileges and burdens, and the people in
stinctively turn for guidance to one man.
The phenomenal popularity of Mckinley
m ust be attributed not only to himself,
but as we'll to the cause for which he
stands and the ideas which he repre-
sents."
G. w. Reed was the next speaker and
he spoke as follows: "As / look around
this hall and see before me this great out
pouring OF the people-this spontaneous
outburst of enthusiasm for our chosen
leaders, feel that 1t means something
above and beyond the ordinary course of
events 1t means that the people are in
earnest this time, that the Republican
SC TO he Of ~
pie, and that Alameda County is to again
return to is proper place, the banner Re-
publican county of The State. When the
people are in earnest, when they arise in
their might, the Nation will always be
safe, and the right leaders will be placed
in power to guard and protect their inter
ests.
"Was there ever in the history of the
great Republican party such spontaneous
uprising OF the people, such demand for
a leader as was manifested at the great
convention which has so wisely and so
well performed the duties delegated to
it by the people of this Republic? This is
the year OF the people.
Major Mckinley was nominated by the
people, he was demanded by all classes of
the people, and he will be supported by
the patriotic people of this country in such
nun bers that the last four
wears of Democratic misrule, mistakes,
blunders and un-American doctrines will
be stamped out of existence so completely
that the coming generations will hardly
know that such things ever existed.
why do the people demand the elec-
ton of Major Mckinley Because he IS
near and dear to every American heart.
Because heis honest and upright IN all his
business dealing. Because he was nomi-
mated bv no clique or faction, but by the
neople of this Nation. Because he is an
ideal American. Because his personal