Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-08-17
WEsTMIN sTER.
Republican Rally In Westminster.

The campaign was formally opened here
last Thursday night by a Republican rally
in the town hall. Hon. John Barrett, ex-
minister to Siam, and Col Kittredge Has
kins of Brattleboro, candidate for Congress
from this district, we're the speakers. b. T.
Phelps, chairman of the Republican town
committee, called the meeting to order and
introduced Mr.. Barrett, who spoke for an
hour and half, receiving from the large
audience present the closest attention.
His remarks were particularly interesting
upon the attitude of the administration on
the Philippine question, for he spoke from
personal observation, and with a knowl-
edge of details such as could only be OBJ
tanned by one who was there, and had par
ticipated in the great events which have
since become history. He spoke to us as
one of our own Windham county boys,
who had returned from the far off Orient,
to make us see, face to face, as he saw,
events as they occurred.
With his wonderful powers of descrip
ton and his clear understanding of facts,
his hearers drew nearer TO the Philippines
than it had ever been their privilege to do
before, and obtained a clearer view Of the
great questions concerning our new posses
sions, upon which the two great parties so
widely differ.
Instead of the Eastern question being
some far off matter thousands Of miles
away, with which we have little to do here
in Vermont, he brought it home to us as
one of the living, vital issues of this presi-
dental campaign, which every voter should
consider, become informed about, and
vote upon intelligently.
One of the greatest tributes which can
! be paid TO Mr. Barrett as an orator is the
fact that for an hour and half his audi
ence forgot that they were in Westminster,
but seemed to be transported with him to
the far East, seeing things as he saw
them, hearing words that he heard spok-
en-, and watching great events succeed
each other under the spell of his magic
art.
He made plain our moral duty and re-
sponsibilties in holding the Philippines
and showed the part Aguinaldo played
before and after Dewey's fight in Manila
bay.
1t was a rare treat to the people of West
minister to hear one of the great issues o.
this campaign so ably and fairly anC
clearly discussed.
At the close of Mr.. Barrett's speech
after music by Fishers orchestra, Col
Haskins was introduced by Mr.. Phelps
who said that the colonel needed no intro
duction to a Westminster audience.
1t was nearly 10 o'clock when Mr. Has
kins began speaking, and the night wa
very hot, but he held the audience closel,
while he spoke briefly upon the legal as
pect of the Philippine question, and on
duty pertaining thereto. He also calle'
the attention of his audience to the pros
perity of the people under the administra
ton of President Mckinley, and spoke o
the rest from business under the Demo
cratic administration of President Cleve
land.
He warned his hearers of the danger o
electing to the office of president Of tn
United States Populistic Democrat Xix
Mr.. Bryan.
He very strongly urged all voters to g
to the polls to vote at the September cleo
ton that Vermont might roll up a larg
Republican majority, and show to tn
whole nation, who will be watching 70
the news over the wires that the Gree
Mountain boys are still patriots.
Many expressions OF satisfaction wer
heard that Mr.. Barrett could come her
10 speak, and thanks are due to Col. Has
kins for securing his services.