Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-10-27


tration for Its Policy of Territorial
Expansion-Both Speakers Free
quently Interrupted by Applause.
An Enthusiastic Meeting.
Al cold, disagreeable, penetrating.
drizzling rain fell last night, changing
occasionally to snow, yet in spite of
the inclemency of the weather, the
Blair meeting at the Opera House last
night was complete success. 1t was
not only the largest assemblage of the
campaign but one of the biggest and
best meetings ever held in this city dur
ing an 'off' year canvass. There were
some vacant chairs in the orchestra
circle, but sufficient number stood in
the lobby to fill them all. Although
the speakers occupied nearly three
hours, the audience remained, and was
as large at the close as when the meet
ing opened.
The evident interest of all who were
present, in the arguments advanced by
the speakers; the frequent outbursts Of
applause indicated sympathy with the
sentiments expressed; the size of the au-
dience, it's determination to remain I'M
til the close-all these things when con-
trasted with the slim attendance and
frequent failures of attempted Republic
can meetings, are very significant facts,
and encouraging signs, presaging Dem
ocratic success in the November cleo
lions.
The speeches were of character adj
mirably suited to the audience-argu-
n1entative, rather than rhetorical. The
speakers aimed to present facts and ar
guments and not petty platitudes. The
audience listened attentively, and ap-
plauded frequently. Mr.. Blair fairly
presented the position of both parties
upon leading questions, and in a logical
and earnest manner argued the ques-
tions from Democratic standpoint.
His address was punctuated with ap-
plause. Mr.. Howard was in a particu-
larly happy vein, and his humorous de-
scription of recent Republican "frosts"
was very much appreciated by the audi
ence.
Mr.. Blair was escorted from the
Windsor hotel to the theatre by the
Opera House band. When the speakers
walked through the audience, there was
an enthusiastic outburst of applause.
The band struck up a patriotic air,
and the speakers of the evening and dis
tinguished' Democrats walked out upon
the stage. Among those who occupied
seats were Senator ]. N. Camden,
Hon. John A. Howard, Alarm
Baron, ex-Mayor c. w. Seabright,
JOS. S. Mahood, of Benwood, R. s..
Kincheloe, Joshua Buckley, Michael
Barrett, of Benwood, Harry Gartley, A.
H. Weidebusch, M. j. O'Kane, VIM.
Butler, Samuel Hartman, c. H. Wheel
err HON. W. G. Handlan, John T. Gal
laher, of Moundsville, C. Fred Dickin-
son, Alex Frazier, DR.. Manley, Alex
burst, E. Hanke, ]. B. Handlan, Hon.
Robert Simpson, J. B. Wilson, Frank G..
Cox, M. L. Mclaughlin, Judge Geo. E..
Boyd, Prof John. M. Birch, DR.. Hoge,
and others.
The meeting was called to order by
Hon. Melville D. Post, chairman of the
District Democratic Executive Com
mittee, who spoke as follows:
I'm calling this meeting to order, gem
tlemen, 1 desire to impress upon you the
Importance of the approaching Congress
sional election, and the Importance of the
momentous questions that confront the
voters of this country. Not only do the
vital problems of taxation and finance re-
main unmet and unsolved, but suddenly
and almost without warning, we are
called upon to decide what the nation
shall be, who it shall be, and where it
shall be-" We are asked to abandon,
lightly it seems to me, our ancient policy,
our ancient traditions and, indeed, our
ancient fundamental ideas of government.
We are asked to forget the counsels of
Washington, of Jay. of Madison, of Mon
roe and Calhoun and Daniel Webster and
the Rones and the Taylors and the JEFF
Persons of Virginia, in order to sail with
rainbow dreamers for empires in the air.
AT such an hour, is it any wonder that
every free lance, every student of gov
eminent, every thoughtful citizen, ire
spective of party, should join with us in
this coming struggle for the perpetuation
of the American Republic? In addition
to these learned students of government,
we have the great industrial people of
West Virginia, gathering in mighty ST.
lent battalions under the banner of the
Democratic party. For it Is true, and he
who looks may see it. that whenever and
wherever and however we stop to probe
for 1t, we always find far down in the
hearts of the common people great love
for plain democratic institutions that is
as deep-seated and abiding as the very
springs of life.
So ii is no idle platitude to say, that
when the sun comes through the gate
way of the East on the eighth day of
November, the farmer will leave his plow
in the half-broken field. the artisan will
lay aside his apron in his office, the day
laborer will come up from the f1ame-lit
mills of the Ohio Valley, brushing from
s his hands the rust of iron, and by the
will of these-the great industrial people
:.
y