The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-13
ALTGELD'S LAST SPEECH.
An Indictment of Lord PauncefOte, the
british Amba dor.

CHICAGO, March 12-Mr Altgeld came to
Joliet yesterday afternoon, having been adj
vertised as. the principal orator for the
big VIII county pro-Boer meeting. He con-
fessed that ne was not in the best of
health, having been troubled with some
apparently slight stomach ailment. He was
not willing to allow that to interfere with
his speech, however, his great interest i'm
the South African struggle having been
heightened by the Boer success in the cap
ture of General Methuen. 1t was noted dur
ing the address that the Ex-Governor threw
an unusual amount of energy and feeling
into his words, and the collapse. the physi-
clans think, resulted from over-straining
his already weakened physical powers.
Ever since the failure of the Globe Saw
ings Bank in 1896, in which he was in
volved. Mr.. Altgeld had not been a well
man. and for some months after the
Spalding crash II was feared that his life
was only question of a short time Even
when serving his last year as Governor
his health was none too good. When it was
learned that he was victim of locomotor
ataxia his friends gave him up But he
rallied, although he was never again his old
vigorous self. Lately, however, the disease
marked him strongly, and quite recently
his appearance caused grave forebodingS
and anxiety. His mind was just as clear
and active as of old, but though the spirit
was willing the flesh was weak.
Clarence barrow, a lifelong friend and
later law partner of the Governor.
reached here this morning. He said that
the Governor died as he had lived. pleading
the cause of the lowly. Mr.. Altgeld, in the
speech which was fated to be his last de-
clared that all friends of humanity owed
a debt of gratitude to Governor Yates for
issuing proclamation soliciting assistance
for the Boer women and children in the con-
centration camps which the British are
maintaining in South Africa. The speaker
said that the people of America had raised
a large of money with which to re-
lieve the distress of the Boer women and
children, but were unable to send il to them
because Lord Pauncefote the British am
He further charged that Lord Pauncefote
had for years meddled in American affairs
There were eighteen counts and specific
charges in Governors Altgeld's indictment.
He said in substance: Just before the be-
ginning of the Spanish war Lord Paunce-
fote, representing the aristocracy, meddled
in our affairs and tried to unite the gov
ernments of Europe in making a Joint pro-
test against Americas interference in be-
half of Cuba. But when the American peo-
pie asserted themselves and our govern
ment was compelled to go to the rescue of
Cuba England issued a strong neutrality
proclamation forbidding all of her sub
jects everywhere from furnishing us any
aid or doing anything that would in any
way be a violation of the strictest neI-
trality." 1t was a speech typical of the old
Governor, who had risen from the low
path TO the chief office Of the State Death
was at hand, but his voice had all the old
fire and all the old sympathy which had
was Governor Altgeld who pardoned the
three Chicago anarchists. and whose views
were frequently called anarchistic, yet his
sincerity was questioned by few.