The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-10-24
1T WAS A FROST

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Hon. E. D. Weed addressed an audi
ence at the court house Monday even
ing, in the interest of Mckinley and
Hobart, and while he was given a re-
spectful hearing his remarks failed to
create any enthusiasm whatever. 1t
was a 'frost." Nothing less. It was a
good talk on poor subject, but there
we're no responses to the brilliant eli
makes Of oratory. They fell as upon
deaf ears. Mr.. Weeds reception here
demonstrated the fact that at least s.
per cent of the vote OF this precinct
will be cast one week from next Tues
day for Montana's interests and William
J. Bryan. On one occasion nwhen
he referred in scathing terms to the
plank in the Democratic platform con-
demning federal interference in state
affairs. he was freely applauded.
Mr.. Weed made very favorable i'm
preston in Virginia four years ago,
and when he looked over the sparsely
filled hall last Monday evening, and
noted the absence Of warm greetings,
he must have remembered the occasion
OF his previous visit. during the Harri
son campaign. when he was met at
Twin Bridges by a delegation OF Re-
sounding brass and tinkling cymbals,
and flowers and enthusiasm, made his
journey up the Ruby valley one contin-
uous ovation. Arriving here the Re-
publicans were out in force to do him
honor. Nothing was too good for him.
The hall was profusely decorated, and
when he began speaking standing room
at the court house was at a premium.
Every point he made was applauded to
the echo. But that was four years
ago, when he represented the cause Of
the people. He could not help but note
the difference. But the Indifference was
not directed against the man. 1t was
aimed at the cause he represented.
Mr.. Weed has many warm personal
friends in Virginia. and s. per cent OF
those who sat in cold silence and listen
ed to his well-rounded. forcefui SEN
tences with passive Indifference Wo Ii
have torn up the earth in mad Joy had
this bright but erring yoHng man rep
resented the other side of this great
question. Then he would have receiv-
ed the warm, glad hand. AS it was he
got the marble heart.
He came here under the auspices of
the Mckinley club, of which Judge
Shufeldt is president, and of which the
Judge constitutes large proportion of
the membership. Mr.. Shufeldt sat at
the left OF the speaker, called the meet
ing to order, introduced Mr.. Weed and
essayed to start the applause at the
proper moments. Major Henry Filing
sat at the right OF the speaker.
Mr.. Weed opened his remarks with a
reference to the political confusion ex-
listing in the ranks of the republicans,
and said his mission was to show the
republicans of Madison county the er-
ror If their way, if possible. He re-
ferred to the prosperity OF the year
1892, before that lord of misrule, Grover
Cleveland, assumed the reigns of gov
ernment. With the Cleveland admin
istration came panic and despair;
banks failed, railroads went into the
hands of receivers, governmental rev
enues decreased and immense bond is
sues were made necessary in times O.
peace and plenty. He referred to the
Democratic party as attempting to hide
the hideous face of free trade under
the mask of free silver, and spoke O
the silver promise of the platform o
four wears ago. He spoke of the Dem
Ocratic president. elected on platform
which promised silver. but who forced
the striking from the statute books the
last vestige of silver law, and reminded
his audience that such men as Daniels
Vest and Morgan. prominent in thu
late Democratic convention, were il
the senate at that time and voted TO
the repeal of the Sherman law. Speak
ing of the plank in the Democratic
platform with reference to federal in