The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-19
THURSTON ALLITERATIVE.
Speaks of Maj. McKinIey's "sweet,
Simple Sublime Soul

Canton, o., Sept. 19.-The following is
Senator Thurston's speech at the big
tent meeting here yesterday:
My Fellow Citizens: / am glad to
meet you here at the home of that il
lustrious American. our nominee for
president, William Mckinley.
Brave in war, eminent in statesman
ship, the best living exponent of those
American policies which insure ma
tiOnal and Individual prosperity, it yet
remained for the crucible Of a presiden-
tfaI candidacy to fully test the hne gold
OF his grand character. War proved
his sodierly qualities; a quarter OF a
century of political contention devel-
Oped, strengthened and disclosed his
wisdom, patriotism and leadership. But
now, for the first time, his countrymen
can realize and understand the sweet,
simple, sublime soul and character of
the man.
And, fellow citizens, what a contrast
is there between the two candidates
now presented for your suffrage. One
nominated amid the excitement and
hysteria of emotional frenzy, a triumph
Of prearranged spectacular and orator
zeal fire; a nomination not thought of
an hour before and regretted an hour
after. The other nominated in Obedi-
ence to the ripened and deliberate de-
Enand of the people themselves, whose
spontaneous uprising in his behalf at
tested and emphasized their belief in
the principles for which he stands. and
their sincere. confidence in the ability
integrity, patriotism and craftsmanship
Of the man. One notified Tin accord
ance with his own reQuesD in the great
show garden of New York city, de-
signed expressly for circuses, menager-
les, horse fairs, dog shows and chrys-
anthemum exhibitions, amid the blare
of trumpets, the glare of electric lights
and the inCeSSant tramp OF disappear
ing hosts; the other at, his own humble
fireside, in an unOstentatious manner,
the simple ceremonies witnessed only
by his family and immediate friends.
One now steeplechasing through the
country in a mad scramble for place
and power, fearful that some electOr
may escape the Evttchery of his silver
fiuted voice. The other diguified (aS
BELTS the exalted place to which he
worthily aspires), trustfully and calmly
waits in his own home while the ma
ton comes to him. One has selected
for his arena the sand lots-hiS appeals
are to the passions and prejudices Of
men. The forum Of the other is an
American dooryard, his rOstrum is the
porch of the American cottage, his
words, simple and fOrceful, are ad-
dressed to the intelligence, the con-
science. the patriotism and the com
mon sense of a brave, thoughtful, just
and hopeful people.
My countrymen, these comparisons
are not unjust nor are they over
drawn. They measure the infinite dis
lance between the party and the plat
form of Altgeld, Tillman, PennOyer,
LewelIing, Waite, COxey and Bryan,
and the party and platform of Harri-
son. Allison. Reed and Mckinley"
Senator ThurstOn said he came in
spired not only by the hope, but by the
knowledge of certain Republican vic
tory, and on this theme spoke of his
visit to Vermont. and the Vermont
election; of the situation as he had
personally observed it in Maine and
other states and of the reports that
came to him of the situation OF Pop
ulism, he said it had had its day; that
it had no higher mission than that OF
exciting the envy and jealousy and dis
content of those whose lots are hum
blv cast But it could not live He
then entered upon an exhaustive dis
cussiOn Of the currency question, con-
sidering at length each of the issues
raised in the present contest.