Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1884 — JAMES G. BLAINE. [ARTICLE]

JAMES G. BLAINE.

> His Magnificent Reception by the People of the Garden City. A Popular Demonstration Without Parallel in the His- >■ tory of Chicago. A Great Irfpouring of Republicans from the Surrounding ; f Country. More than 20,000 Men in Line and 50,000 Eager and Enthuiiastic Watchers. (Condensed from.the Tribune’s report.] If any evidence were needed to attest the position of Chicago in this campaign, or to measure her enthusiastic devotion to Hlaine and Logan, it was offered last night in the macnineent and imposing demonstration that filled her streets. Chicago never does things by halves, and last night she exceeded herself in her tribute to the Republican candidates. The procession was net alone the largest that has turned out in the history ot the city, but one of the greatest popular uprisings tnatv. have ever been known tn this country. The scene in front of the (.rand Pacific was a sight to be remembered for a lifetime. As far as the eye could reach the area adjacent to the hotel was solidly packed with people. Probably over 504100 persons were standing there, uncomfortably wedged in together, eager to hear or at least catch sight of the Republican candidate, and during this time a huge procession, fully 20,000 strong, was parading the adjacent streets in the vain hope of being reviewed by Mr. Blaine, their tortuous, zigzag course through 1 the principal avenues marked by the flashing of fireworks and glare of torches. , „ The rural clubs turned out in full ranks. In fine marching order, and with a profusion of flags, banners, transparencies, and handsome I uniforms that attested splendid organization. 1 The city clubs were also out in full force and kept the air resonant with lusty cheers, which I were repeated over and over by the vast crowds which lined the walks and filled doorways and windows all along the route. The picturesqueness of uniforms, the numerous bands and drum corps, the mounted caval - > cades, the parti-colored torches and lanterns, and the illuminations of colored fires made a spectacle which will not soon be forgotten by those who saw it, and apparently the whole city saw it, for thousands upon thousands of people were in the streets who made no effort to get to the vicinity of the Grand Pacific, The organizations of workingmen, the large con- ’ course of students, the” German, Irish, and Scandinavian turnouts made a special feature, and bore testimony to the universally magnetic influence which Mr. Blaine has upon the masses. It was bnt just that the foremost repreaenta- ; five of the Republican party should receive ; from the State that furnished its quota without 1 a draft, in the dark days ot the nation Um most magnificent greeting tnat men can givjjto man. The memory ot that spectacle will live in 1 Chicago’s history; its significance will make T history for the republic. Hour after hour pa-sed ; and still the hundreds and the thousands j marched on; still the enthusiasm of vast mul--1 tltudes surged abont the moving ranks; still one I chorus of rejoicing rose in deepening volume j, through the gloom of night. From a high window one might look as far as ; the eye conld reach upon uniformed citizens in < regiments of peace. ■ Numberless bands played I national airs, and when the excitement reached a climax, thousands of torches were swung in circles ot flame, until the vision was dazzled by 1 the glittering contusion, and the ears were i stunned by the uproar and the din. Some clubs I bore red lights, others lanterns ot every shade, ' and through the glare shone the favorite colors I ot the costumes-the nalional “Red, White, I and Blue.” Every place within 300 miles lof Chicago seemed to be represented. The i marchers came as they came in bygone i years when duty called them—from quiet country farms, from the villages that dot the prairies, from the city’s shops and marts, from factories and offices and stores—men, not only of American birth, but thousands who bad sought a retuge from foreign tyranny in the only land that lives to-day "without a master and without a slave.” The watchword of the night, the expression of every mouth, sung, shouted, and, yelled, was “James G. Blaine.” It was cried from window and balcony; it was echoed from street to street; it was sung to the music of drums; it rose and fell in one great chorus—- . “James G. Blaine.” ~ ... ■