The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-21
GREAT RALLY AT CHARLEsTowN.
Senator Fairbanks Addresses n Great
Clark County Crowd.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
JEFFERSONVILLE. Ind. Oct. 20.-No
man ever received greater ovation at the
hands of the people of Clark county than
did Indiana's senior senator. the Hon.
Charles w. Fairbanks, at Charlestown to-
day, where an all-day meeting was held.
From early dawn all the roads leading to
Charlestown were crowded with vehicles.
horseback riders and pedestrians. all bound
for the same destination-the Charlestown
fair grounds. BY noon the grounds were
fairly alive with people, and ii cannot be
recalled when so many people crowded the
space. even in the palmy days of the coun-
ty fair.
The inner man was not forgotten in the
preparation for the event. and at the noon
hour hundreds of well-laden baskets filled
with the good things of the land were
brought forth. and the gathering resembled
very much an old-fashioned basket picnic.
The biggest crowd gathered in the after
noon, delegations arriving from the most
remote points of the county. Many clubs
were in line. headed by bands or drum
corps. When the time arrived for Senator
FairbanksS address the crowd was some
thing immense, and the happy expression
on the faces of the leaders showed that
their most sanguine hopes had been ex-
ceeded. 1t was estimated that there Were
between 5000 and 1000 people on the
grounds
Senator Fairbanks begun his speech at
2 o'clock and for two hours held the
StricteSt attention of the great audience.
He began by saying that he himself was
reared on a farm, and as the crowd was
mostly representatives OF the agricultural
element, he paid considerable attention TO
the issues that interested them most. lie
referred to the Mckinley tariff law and
said that farm animals and farm products
were now demanding much greater price
than under the four years of Democratic
administration He then reviewed all the
principal issues of the campaign, devoting
much time TO trusts and imperialism.
I'VE would likesto know he said, what
Mr.. Bryan considers as the paramount is
sue of this campaign. He fits like bird
from one question to another until no one
can find out what he considers the most
important question. The paramount issue
with the Republicans, and one of the
greatest Importance, is the reelection of
Mr. Mckinley.
Mr. Bryan" he said "often compares
himself with Lincoln and Jefferson, but
/ fail TO see the comparison. He is theatri-
cal in all he does. When Lincoln was noti-
fled of his nomination to the presidency
he received the committee in quiet. UNI
assuming manner. and after gracefully ac-
cepting the nomination retired quietly to
his home to hold communion with his Lord
and maker. With Bryan it was different.
He fitted about the country making all
the display possible and in a most tragic
manner accepted the nomination. One
thing I never could understand was why
he came to Indianapolis to receive notice
OF his last nomination. If it was because
he thought he could steal the State for
Organism he will be sadly disappointed
Nov. q.
There is no comparison" he continued,
between Bryan, the man of words and
false prophecies, and Mckinley, the quiet
unassuming President, who has fulfilled all
his promises made four years ago and who
has brought prosperity to take the place
of business depression.
He then impressed on the minds of his
hearers the necessity of electing their rep
resentatives TO the State Legislature and
also their members of Congress. He con-
cluded by paying glowing tribute to Pres
ident Mckinley and his Cabinet and re-
questing all honest thinking men to con-
slider the matter carefully before casting
their votes for Bryan and disaster
Following Senator Fairbanks came Hugh
O'Connor. of Corydon, Republican nominee
for member of Congress from this district
Mr. O'Connor dealt strictly in facts, and
his remarks were heartily cheered. During
Senator Fairbanks's talk the applause was
at times deafening. Senator Fairbanks left
at O'Clock for Columbus, where he spoke
tonight A feature of the day was the
many handsomely decorated wagons and
carriages which came from all parts of
the county.
Among the delegations one of the most
noteworthy was that from Sellersburg,
which sent over 400 persons, mounted and
in vehicles, and including in the line
large number of beautifully decorated
wagons and carriages. The Sellers Glee
Club. consisting of fifty girls, was one
notable contribution to the features of
the day. The same town also sent band
and drum corps.