The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-11-01
THEY FORGOTM M'LEAN
WELLINGTON DEMOCRATS HELD A
RALLY THURSDAY EVENING.
Gen. Sherwood Of Toledo, Makes Bitter
Attack Upon the Administration
Fails to Sing the Praises Of Boss Mclean.

General Isaac Sherwood Of Toledo,
once secretary Of state for Ohio and
twice elected congressman through the
sufferance Of the Republican party, de-
iiyered the first Democratic speech Of the
campaign in Wellington before fair
sized audience at the Opera house last
Thursday night. Thomas Keeler Of West
5aiem, who was down on the bills to fur
nish part Of the entertainment, was un-
able to appear because Of illness. The
Wellington and Huntington bands help |
ed to infuse a little enthusiasm into the |
crowd that gathered before the speech
began, and something approaching a i
cheer was raised once or twice.
The meeting was remarkable in more
ways than one. Gen. Sherwood is a
speaker Of no mean ability. He has a
fine stage presence. considerable QratOric-
al power and argumentative acumen and
an astonishing degree Of unscrupulOus-
ness in arguing from palpably false and
trivial premises to conclusions truly
startling, which, doubtless, contributes
much to his success as Democratic
campaigner. Gen. Sherwood lives in
TOledO-the home Of Mayor Sam Jones,
candidate for governor on the indepen-
dent ticket. They reside on the same
street. Gen. Sherwood himself aspired
tc the nomination for governor at the
GAINESVILLE convention, but met defeat at
the hands Of the man for whom he is
now stumping the state. And yet,
neither the chairman Of the meeting nor
the speaker Of the evening said word in
eommendalion OF their new and self
chosen leader. Indeed, his name was
mORianedA but once, and that only Incl
dentally near the close Of the speech.
Sam Jones was neither denounced nor
approved. His name was scarcely men-
toned at all.
4. C. Jefferies. chairman Of the local
democratic committee, introduced Gen.
Sherwood in an artistically wOrded little
speech that evoked considerable applause.
He referred to the speaker as brave de-
fender Of the republic. He alluded to
the fact that he had been somewhat
distinguished at one time among Repub-
lican leaders, and said that his change
Of heart occurred when the Republican
party struck the Hanna tObOggan slide"
But, strangely, Mr.. Jefferies did not
mention, even in roundabout manner,
the magic name (?) Of John R. Mclean.
Possibly both Mr.. Jefferies and Gen.
Sherwood were aware that denunciatiOn
of Hanna as a boss and bOOdler and
praise Of Mclean as boss and bOOdler
would sound rather inconsistent and in
sincere if uttered in the same breath by
the same man.
Gen. Sherwood began his remarks by
saying he had been informed that this il
Republican community, and that he had
, come here to do little missionary work.
He said that he does not believe in war,
and then proceeded to arraign the pre-
sent administration for the unsatisfact
, Ory condition Of affairs in the Philip
pines. He went even farther, denOune
ing President Mckinley as criminally
incompetent, characterizing his admin
istratiOn as huge blunder from thu
very start. Then he referred to aspecia
I dispatch from Washington which that
most notorious Of campaign fakirs-th,
Cincinnati Enquirer Thurs
e day morning. The dispatch claimed
I that the administration had secretly in
formed certain European government
that this country would not intervene L
save the South African Republic, AM
intimated that there is some sort OF
q bargain between England and the Unitel
States whereby the American govern
ment agrees to keep hands of in tn
Transyaal provided England does tn
= same in the Philippines. Gen. SherwOO,
+ drew from this very doubtful assertion
the certain conclusion that the admin
stratiOn is worse than Indifferent to tn
/ fate Of the Beers, and that liberty is
+, meaningless word in President McKin
ley's vocabulary. He sought to cast rt
fectiOn upon the presidents record i
VI the civil war, referring 10 him sarcastic
+ ally as member OF the eOmmissary d.
partment, forgetting that he served /
the ranks and received his promotion fC
, bravery.
a But Gen. Sherwood is rich in wa
memories. A very large part Of HI
l. speech was devoted to uneOmplimentaT
comparisons Of Gen. Skaters record
; the Santiago campaign with that {
g officers Of the civil war whom the speaI
" er knew personally or by reputation
However interesting this part Of Il
Id speech may have been, Gen. SherwOC
failed TO make quite clear Just viii
"a Skaters record as a fighter has to 4
with this years campaign in Ohio.
The really strong part Of the speeC
la consisted Of quotations from number
prominent Republicans who are not in a
no cord with the administrations PhilippiI
~ policy. The yexed question Of trusts.
the treaty with the Sultan Of SuIu al
d, the presidents war appointments ali
Ze received some attention.
The speech, enlivened by occasions
flashes Of humOr, was instructive al
40 entertaininging at times, but scarce
n. calculated to make or lose votes.