Evening star., 1926-05-30
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Democratic hopes for victory in the
presidential election of half a century
Nj ago were reflected. in
Music for the a humorous speech in
Democracy. The the HOUSE. %, T as as re, e.
May "a. 1876, as follows:
During the consideration Of the
naval appropriation bill by the House
yesterday Mr.. Lewis Of Alabama Of
fered an amendment to abolish the
Marine Band. This proposition afford.
ed Mr.. Harrison Of Illinois the oppor-
tunity for delivering a funny speech.
that was heartily enjoyed by both
sides Of the House. He drew a pic.
ture Of President Grant enjoying the
music Of the Marine Band in the
grounds Of the White House. while
his friends sat around with their feet
on the balustrade, smoking his Par
tegas. And he smoke of himself, Har-
rison, moving through a crowd Of Re-
publicans In the grounds, with one
hand on his purse and the other on
his watch fob. Next year. he said,
with Democratic occupant Of the
White House, the scene would be diff
ferent.' eyes said some one on the
Republican side OF the House. then
we'll put our hands on our pocket
laughter.) Mr.. Harrison: Yes, but we
will enjoy 1t. I want to see a Demo
cratic President there listening to the
music, and hope to be one Of his
friends, with my feet on the balus-
trade and one Of his Partegas between
"'I am opposed to the abolition Of
the Marine Band when I think Of the
Democrats who want to get into the
White House. There is q son Of the
great Empire State, Tilden. greater
than Alexander. Alexander cut the
gordian knot with his sword, but the
knot was only a ring Of hemp. But
this man has cut a ring Of steel-the
White House. I want the Marine
Band there to give him music, and If
he should lead a bride to the White
House, we will play the wedding
march and play sweet music beneath
her chamber window.
eve have other men for that posi-
ton, any one OF whom would grace
the presidential chair as 1t has not
been graced for long years. Are we
to deny him the music Of the Marine
Band? Never! Never! Never! We
may have one from Ohio who never
speaks in the Senate without uttering
words Of wisdom (meaning Senator
Thurman). Are we to have no music
for him? No. sir, never, never, never!
We have a. little west In the Hoosier
State a great Democratic war horse
(alluding to Hendricks OF 1ndiana). a
man who, they say, Is a little Of a
trimmer. He Is a trimmer because
his mind is so sound that he sees both
sides Of q question and does not grow
wild on any side. He may be in that
position, and may be his friend in
the White House. And shall he have
no music from the Marine Band? No.
sir, by my vote-never, never. never!
"'We may have in that seat, Mr..
Chairman. man who will flll the
chair as it was never filed (alluding
to Judge Davis Of the Supreme Court.
a man Of unusual girth). Not a single
inch Of that will not be filled. A man
whom not a word can be said. Am /
to come here from Illinois to attend
his Inauguration, and am to go with
him to the White House and have no
music to aid him in tripping the light
fantastic toe? Never. never, never,
with my consent, never!
There is still another, from your
own State, Mr.. Chairman. great in
arms, great as a civilian (alluding to
Gen. Hancock OF Pennsylvania). man
who, IL he. had not been great as a
general. would have been great In civil
life. He may be there. He will wish
to have some memories OF the past
brought to his mind by martial music.
Is It to be denied him? Shall a Ma
rine Band be refused him? By my
vote, sir, never. never. never. Then,
sir, there is still another, the great
unknown. He Is coming, 10000
strong, from every part Of the Union.
He is all around The. Democratic
party is fun Of the great unknown.
When the great unknown comes
there, shall he have no music? Shall
no tones come out of those siivery in.
struments blown by those gentlemen