The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-06-29

quoting him otherwise than correctly
even if 1t so desired, contained, We'd
nesday, an interview with that gentle-
| man, who Is chairman Of the Republic
can national committee, in which the
| senator referred to the Fourth of July
celebration in Canton in a way that is
resented by Cantonians generally and
especially by the Democrats of Canton.
who are loyal to their home city and
have been assisting in the demonstra-
| ton as a matter of home pride and not
for the purpose Of furthering the cam
paign of anyone, Democrat or Republi-
can. Senator Hanna, in the interview.
| is reported to have said:
"On the Fourth of July Mr.. McKin-
ley probably will come to Ohio to at
tend the grand demonstration in his
honor, to be given by the people Of
Canton. I received a letter some time
ago, saying something about the affair.
1t is pretty certain that the president
will be at home on that day and that
they will have a great time in Can
| ton."
All will agree with Senator Hanna
that the celebration in Canton will be
great affair, but his presumption In
referring to 1t as a Republican jubilee
is characteristic. The celebration in
Canton will be given in honor of the
heroes of the two wars and especially
for the heroes of the Spanish-American
war. A captured Spanish cannon is to
be dedicated and this is the cause of the
celebration. But while Canton was
about it the enterprise of the city sug-
gested that it be done right. President
Mckinley will be an honored guest on
that occasion, but he will come Just
like thousands of others. The celebra-
ton will not be given "in honor Of
President Mckinley" whether Mr.
Hanna has "a letter saying something
about the affair" or not. This celebra-
tion belongs to the people of Canton
and Democrats are as welcome as Re-
publicans. 1t is hoped that no attempt
at anything of the sort will be made,
but the fact that the chairman of
the Republican national committee has
been written to about 1t may lead him
to the conclusion that he is going to
manipulate it. His statement is chal-
lenged by every Cantonian who has
the interests of the city at heart and
who wants to carry out the celebration
in the spirit In which it was inaugural
ed. 1t is for the heroes Of the wars
and not to further political interests.
Mr.. Hanna may look into everything
for sordid gain, but the people of Can
ton will not thank him for his Cleve-
land utterance. The celebration will
go right along and II Mr.. Hanna wants
to come down and join in the fun he
may do so. President Mckinley, Can
tonian, will be home to celebrate with
the rest of the inhabitants, and will
probably resent Mr.. Hanna's blunder-
ing talks as much as do other citizens.
But the statement is not without value.
If anything of the sort develops 1t will
have none Of the spontaneous features
about 1t but will be understood to have
been by design and possibly connivance
with those who are in authority.
THE CANNON'S HISTORY.
While this subject has been forced
to an issue, it might be well to relate
just how Canton got the cannon that is
the nucleus of what will be the grand
est Fourth OF July celebration that
ever occurred in the state. Chairman
Hanna, of the Republican national COM
mittee ought to know something about
it before he talks again. The cam
non was secured for Canton at the
suggestion of Judge William r. Day,
also a Cantonian, and by the labors
of a Democratic mayor and a Demo-
cratic city council. Mayor James A.
Rice was in Office when all the details
were arranged and he was before the
council on several occasions with such
as referred to the
city's work to secure the trophy. A
Democratic council passed all the
necessary legislation to get the big gun
here. A Democratic council saw to it
that all the bills that accrued in getting
the gun here were paid and that the
contract for the base and for other
incidentials was let. But there was
heretofore no intention of calling at
tention to these facts, as the cannon
is for the honor and glorification of the
men who went to war, without refer
ence to politics, as there are no party
divisions when the honor Of the flag Is
the issue. So here is some documentary
evidence that Senator Hanna may pc
ruse, while he Is assured that II he wants
to come over and help celebrate the
dedication of the cannon secured
though the effotrs of Judge Day,
Mayor Rice and a Democratic council,
he will receive the same cordial well
come that will be accorded anyone else
who will be the city's guest:
O'NEIL TO MAYOR RICE.
Washington, d. c., Mar. 25, 1899.
SIR
/. At the request Of Hon. VIM. r.
Day Of your city, the Secretary of the
Navy has authorized this Bureau to
loan the city Of Canton one Of the cap
tured Spanish cannon taken in the late
war, the understanding being that the
municipality will pay the expense Of
transportation.
2. The Bureau will therefore set
aside one of the captured cannon for
this purpose and will communicate
with you later as to when 1t can be
shipped and from what point. The
matter of division between the army
and navy Of certain guns not yet being
settled.
3. THE captured, gums are from the
Moro and Estrella batteries at Santi-
ago. .iand are either at New York city