Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-09-15
A GRAND RALLY.
THE CAMPAIGN FORMALLY OPENED
In THIS CITY FRIDAY NIGHT.
Rousing Republican Speeches We're
Given by Nels ]. Gron, E. S. James
and Paul B. Du Chaillu.

The Grand opera house was pack ed
to the brim last Friday night with re.
sidents of the city and county, who
had assembled to participate in the
opening of the campaign in Winnie
shiek county. Every seat was oc-
cupied before eight o'clock, and by the
time the curtain was raised, the aisles,
stairs and entrances were crowded full
of men, women and children. 1t has
been very seldom that an audience OF
this size has come together in Decorah
and the quietness and close attention
of everyone was indeed characteristic
of the interest being taken in the
issues of the day by the common peo-
pie, and the sentiment prevailing for
Mckinley, Hobart and sound money.
After music by the Decorah City
Band, and rousing song by the Nc
Kinley Club quartette, Hon. A. X.
Bailey introduced Mr.. Nels j. Gron,
who happened to be the guest of B.
Anundsen, and who had kindly con-
sented to make few remarks. He has
been an extensive traveller in foreign
countries, in fact having recently re-
turned, and the comparisons which he
drew between our present money and
that of silver countries were to the
point, and being the result of personal
experience, were listened to with con-
siderable interest by the audience
Many were sorry that he could not
have more time to speak, as his argu-
ments were terse, impressive and con-
vincing. Following his speech the
quartette sang another appropriate
campaign song, and Mr.. E. s. James,
republican candidate for elector-at-
large was introduced. After compli-
menting the preceding speaker, and
congratulating the people of Decorah
upon their beautiful city and surround
ing country, he entered at once upon
a discussion of the money question,
which was intensely interesting and
instructive. Mr.. James is young
man of ability, as was evinced by his
method of speaking. He had chosen a
train of arguments that was in refuta-
ton of livestock arguments of the follow
ers of the gentlemen who recently met
in Chicago" and his mode ofexpression
was especially pleasing to the listeners.
We would have been pleased to have
been able to present his speech to our
readers, but were unable to procure a
full text of it.
Mr.. Paul b. Du Chaillu, the noted
French traveller, explorer, author and
lecturer, was then introduced, and gave
the people careful and concise dis
cussion, touching upon ground
not covered by the preceding speakers.
His address was based upon the per-
sonal experiences of his travels, and
was, as that of the first speaker, strik-
ing and impressive. His contact with
the people ofalmost every nation has
given him an excellent opportunity for
political research, and his statements
were received with enthuiasm.
The people all seemed well pleased
with the meeting, which closed with
deafening cheers for Mckinley and
Hobart. We hope that we may be
able to listen to several such speeches
before election, and feel sure that if any
of these gentlemen should again ad-
dress the people of Winneshiek county,
the house would not contain those who
would wish to listen.