The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-10-05
Enthusiastic Meeting at Re-
publican Headquarters.
SPEECH BY HON. WILLIAMS
Defines Clearly the Character Of the
Campaign Now Being Con.
Quoted BY Bryan.

Hon. George II. Williams delivered
one Of the ablest speeches ever listened
to In Astoria at the Republican head
quarters on Bond street In this city
last evening Mr.. williams. who has
been for nearly half century one Of
the most prominent figures among the
representative men from the Pacific
coast In the political history OF our ma
tlon, despite the burden Of his years.
still appears hale and hearty and holds
10 remarkable degree his old time
power Of argumentatlve reasoning. He
does not carry his hearers by storm or
by Wild bursts OF eloquence but his
calm. deliberate forceful Ltterances
cannot fail 20 carry conviction.
In his speech last night Mr. Will
llams spoke OF Mr., Bryan's conduct
In reference 10 the very treaty which
ne Is now so bitterly denounclng, and
regarding which he Is 80 severely crit
lcising President McKinley's action.
He said that Mr.. Bryan even admits
that he went to Washington to use
his influence 20 get his friends to rat
ify the treaty and admits the respon-
slblllty OF the ratification Of the very
instrument which he claims contains
the menace OF Imperialism. That Bry-
an shows by his own action since in
the matter and even claims that his
motive IN securing the ratification OF
the treaty was TO raise an issue for
the coming campaign. and has stated
that the treaty made a clean cut issue
between the two parties.
He then argued that the treaty bav-
ing been ratified and become practl-
eally a law. Mckinley was bound by
his oath to execute that law.
He brought out in very able man.
ner and illustrated very clearly the
character Of the campaign Bryan is
carrying on.
He spoke Of Bryan's treatment Of the
question OF trusts, and stated tfat es
many Democrats as Republicans were
Interested in trusts. and that although
the Democrats, and especially Mr.. Bry-
an. spoke so vehemently against them,
that all OF the legislation that
had ever been done against the trusts |
had been done by the Republicans.
He also showed what mere bubbles |
we're Bryan's prophecies Of four years
igo regarding finance and other ques-
lions and that his present bubble Of
would soon share the
late Of the others.
In closing Mr. Williams urged the
Importance Of letting we'll enough alone.
That our country was now in a state
" universal prosperity and that ex-
)eriments would be dangerous.
The address was attentively listened
o by the crowd that literally packed
he hall and extended outside the doors.
md was vigorously applauded. A
prinkling OF Democrats among the
audience showed an unusual interest
n the occasion. Quite a number OF
aides were also present.
The meeting was ably presided over
" H. D. Gray, secretary of the Young
den's Republican Club.
After the address Of the evening,
'ipes and tobacco were passed about
-mong the audience. Harrison Allen
ave a brief outline Of the work al
eady done in the city and presented
he rolls Of the two local clubs which
we're largely signed. Senator Fulton
Tas then called on and paid grace
ul tribute to the speaker OF the even
ng. John McCue. in behalf of the
'oung Mems Republican Club. stated
hat the object of their organization
1as to work and that they were ready
nd willing to do 1t. During The even
lg Mr.. Fred Johnson gave an anus
lg Swedish dialect recitation. Music
'as furnished by a local orchestra
The meeting formally opened the
ampaign In this section. and was a