Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1879 — IN A NEW HOLE. [ARTICLE]

IN A NEW HOLE.

Mark Twain Conducts a Republican meeting ot Elmira, New York. Elmira Special to New York Timas. The largest political meeting of the campaign was held in this city by the Republicans last evening. The opera house was densely packed to hear Gen. Joseph R. Hawley, of Connecticut. General Hawley was introduced by Mark Twain (Bamuel L. Clemens), who said: “I see I am advertised to introduce the speaker of the evening General Hawley, of Connecticut, anc I see it is the report that I am to make a political speech. Now, I must say this is an error, I wasn’t constructed to make stump speeches, and on that head (politics) I have only this to say: First, see that you vote. Second, see that your; neighbor votes. Lastly, see that yourself or neighbor don’t scratch the ticket. General Hawley was pres.dent of the centennial commission. He was » a gallant soldier in the war. He btii been Governor of Connecticut, member of4iongress, and was president of the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln.”

Gen. Hawley—That nominated Grant. , ’ Twain—He says it was Grant, hut I know better. He was a member of my church at Hartford and the author of “Beautiful Snow.” May be he will deny that. But I am hereto give him a character from his last place. As a pure citizen, I respect him; as a personal friend of years, I have the warmest regard for him: as a neighbor whose vegetable garden joins mine, why—why, I watch him. That’s nothing; we all do that with any neighbor. General Hawley keeps his promises not only in private but in public. He is an“editor who believes what he writes in his own paper. As the author of “Beartiful Snow” he has added a new pang to winter. He is broad-aouled, generous, noble, liberal, alive to his moral and religious reponaibilities. Whenever the conrfbution-box was passed I never knew him to take out a cent

He is a square, true, honest man in politics, and I must say he occupies a mighty lonesome position. He has never shirked a duty or backed down from any position taken in public life. He has been right every time, and stood there. As governor, congressman, as a soldier, at the head of the centennial commission, which increased our trade in every port and pushed American, production in to all the known world, he has conferred honor and credit upon the United States. He is an American of Americans. Would we had more such men! So broad, so bountiful is his character that he never turned a tramp empty handed from his door, but always gave him a letter of introduction te me. His public trusts have been many, and never in the slightest did he prove unfaithful. Pure, honest, incorruptible, that is Joe Hawley. Such a man in politics is like a bottle of perfumery in a glue factory— it may modify the stench if it does not destroy it. And now, in speaking thus highly of the speaker of the evening, I have not said anj more of him than I would say of myself. Ladies and gentleman, this is General Hawley.” Mr. Clemens was frequently interrupted" by applause and laughter. At the close of his remarks, General Hawley stepped forward and, for an hour and a half, spoke on the issues of the day. v--'.