The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-26
SIXTH WARD RALLY.
Much Enthusiasm Displayed by the
COIored Voters.

The Republicans of the Sixth Ward held
an enthusiastic meeting and rally last
night in the lecture room of the Bethel
A NJ Z. Church. The meeting was presid-
ed over by DR.. S. A. Furniss and was adj
dressed by Frederick E. Matson. candi-
date for State Senator; d. B. Shideler, Rev.
r. F. Hurley. of Michigan. and Gurley
Brewer.
DIR. Furniss briefly referred TO the is
sues of the present campaign and said that
in his opinion the people were confronted
with the most important campaign since
the election of Lincoln. He appealed to
the colored voters TO stand firm by the
party which had ever been their friend and
said that :. vote for Mckinley meant
vote for four more years of prosperity.
The first speaker introduced by the chair
man was Frederick Z. Matson. In his
opening remarks Mr.. Matson said that
he desired TO address his audience as citi-
zens of the State OF Indiana. THE colored
man." said he, lis as much a citizen as
any other man, at least in Indiana. l can't
promise what would befall the race If the
Democrats should become as firmly in
trenched in power in this State as they are
in South Carolina, but as long as the Re-
publicans are in power the colored man
will be what Lincoln intended he should
be, a citizen. with all the rights of citi-
zen" Mr.. Matson said that the Republican
party had been accused of never having
done anything for the negroes. ''What
have the Democrats done?" said he
Nothing. The Republicans have at least
given the colored man four years of pros
perity. and If given chance will duplicate
the dose" Mr.. Matson concluded his re-
marks with a discussion OF the issues
which, he said, Mr.. Bryan was daily in
venting in order 10 fool the people.
He was followed by DR.. r. +. Hurley
He said the colored people were engaged
In a campaign of more vital Importance to
them than any campaign ever waged, not
excepting the Lincoln campaign. THE
sophistry that has been invoked by the
Democratic party" said he. brings us
face TO face with the most difficult Ques-
tons. Many men are now asking TO be
we have only TO deal with the two great
parties. the rest are bubbles. The Repub-
lican party has history. and by IL is will
ing TO stand or fall. The Democratic party
also has a history. II Is a party of para
mount issues. The Republican party has
a history written in the blood OF war and
tried in times of peace. The Democratic
party is a party of entries and erasures
IL never had an issue but what IL took
back. Ii has been on all sides of all ques-
lions for the last thirty-five years" After
discussing the issues OF the campaign, Mr.
Hurley concluded by saying that the Re
publican party had been accused of not
being true TO the colored race. IF the
Republican party has ever failed us" said
he. 'it has been on account OF Democratic
opposition"
ID. b. Shideler followed During the
course of his remarks he said that 10 his
mind the paramount issue of this campaign
was that Mckinley Is "A Republican and
Bryan a Democrat. "On that Issue" said
Mr.. Shideler. II Will go to the polls and
cast my vote for Mckinley. IL j have Ia
crawl
Csurley Brewer spoke OF the prevailing
conditions I'm the South and advised everv
coIored man to cast his vote for Mckinley.
1T II our only safety" said he. He con-
cluded his remarks with comparison OF