Hide Article Text (OCR)
Large and Enthusiastic Republican Meeting Held at G. A. R. Hall Saturday Night. Hon. E. L. Stoker, Our Representative, Receives an Endorsement That Will be a Pleasant Memory to Him as Long as Life Lasts. Centralia Republicans are True Blue on National and State Issues-Resolutions Adopted --Short Sketch of the Speeches Made. Pursuant to call, published by bills and in Saturday's SENTINEL, a rousing big Republican mass meeting was held at the G. A. R. Hall Saturday night. The call stated that the Senatorial sit uation at Springfield was the occasion for the meeting, and the attendance showed that our Republicans are inter ested in that contest. The meeting was called to order by Squire Probst, and Mayor Rhodes was called to the chair and T. L. Joy ap pointed Secretary. At request of the chair, T. L. Joy stated the object of the meeting, which was as follows: Hon. E. L. Stoker, our member of the Legislature, is one of the noble five who are standing out for principle, and the mud batteries of the policy branch of the party having been turned on him, and he having been charged with standing out against the wishes of the constituents, the object of the meeting was to let the world know, in unmistakable and em phatic language, how Mr. Stoker's people look upon his course. No at tempt was made to work up a crowd, except the advertising of the fact at noon of Saturday, after the arrival of the city papers making the charge against the integrity of Mr. Stoker. Dr. Stoker asked that the meeting be turned into a regular love feast, and that each Republican present, who so desired, be given a chance to speak his own sentiments, and that suggestion was adopted. To start the ball rolling, County Superintendent Burdick was called on and he heartily endorsed Stoker's every act in the contest, and expressed his willingness to risk him for the future. He thought Republicans should be in terested in Republicans, and not the welfare of side parties. W. F. Bundy was the next speaker and he too emphatically endorsed the course of our Representative, and pro nounced himself in favor of a Repub lican. He looked at the question from all sides, and while he was for most anything to beat Palmer, he really couldn't say that he, if in a like posi tion, would vote for Streeter. J. N. Kerr pronounced Mr. Stoker equal to the occasion, and was for let ting him do in the future, as he had in the past, as he thought was right and proper. Mr. Kerr was very bitter against Palmer, and for any man but him for Senator, thought it dangerous to allow a man with Palmer's States’ rights record and inconsistencies to be elected U.S. Senator. Judge Stoker was for Streeter rather than Palmer, but had little regard for Streeter and his shuffling record. Frank Noleman talked to the point, and asked what was to be gained by electing a man we would never know where to find, was for principle rather than policy, and did not believe it was the honest sentiments of the 95 that Streeter should win, but rather the coaxing and bulldozing of ‘Long Jones’’ and his crew. He expressed “the whole thing in a nutshell’? when he said that, to this idea, the issue was whether “Long Jones’ *’ policy record should be endorsed,to honor L. J., or whether the Republicans should stand out for principle, and be honored them selves. He could not see why it was the duty of Republicans to try to pre vent the F. M. B. A. members of the Legislature from going back on their word and their pledges to their constit uents, and thus burst their party wide open, and drive from its ranks every old Republican. He was proud of the fact that this was the first time the party had ever swerved from principle. T. H. Robertson was for any man but Palmer, but thought the dog ought to wag the tail rather than the tail the dog. B. Haussler could not understand why, under any circumstance, any Re publican should be for Streeter, as he considered his election more dangerous to the party than would Palmer’s. Palmer would but be one of a minority, elected by the rascality or through the disgust of opponents, while Streeter’s election would be a big send-off for the first campaign of the new party; a party that is doing the Republicans of this section more damage than is the De- Children Cry for Pu mocracy, thought Streeter’s election would cost the Republicans 10,000 votes. Jacob Grosch endorsed the senti ments uttered by the other speakers, and said Stoker was all right. On motion, a committee of three was then appointed to draw up a set of resolutions expressing the sentiments of the meeting on the question for which the assembly had been called. While the committee were out, Col. Gales, one of our intelligent colored men, made a neat talk. He said that it seemed that the Republicans were in a tight place now, and they must watch which foot they put forward first, and see that it was the best one, thought Stoker could be trusted in this trying time. He believed in always being in line and was for no going over to the enemy. The committee then returned, and the following is their report in full: ResolveD, That we, your constitu ents, do hereby fully endorse your firm stand taken in the Senatorial election, your commendable zeal in holding fast to true Republican men and principles, and your strong efforts to bring the F. M. l. A. party into our ranks instead of carrying the Republican party into it, and that we announce ourselves at all times as Republicans. We are un alterably in favor of electing a true Republican as United States Senator, if such is possible. We commend your action in the past and rely on a judgment for the future. I believe you will adopt the course suggested by the emergency which may arise, and that whatever you do will be for the best interests of Republican principles and will be sanctioned by us. The only dissatisfaction expressed as the meeting broke up was that some thought the resolution not strong enough, they claiming that 99 out of every00 Republicans in this city are opposed to the election of Streeter un der any circumstances. While our Republicans must all favor a compro mise with the ‘‘big three,’’ very few indeed favor the party setting down in the dust and begging more et al. to let them kiss the hand that smites them, as is the order of ‘‘Long Jones” and his crew. We don’t know how the constituents of the other members of the noble big live will stand by their men, but Mr. Stoker certainly has reason to feel very proud of the endorsement he has re ceived from those whose well wishes he would most covet. There is a world of truth in the fol lowing, as many a lady has found to her sorrow. There was a man, it was said one time. Who went astray in his youthful prime. Can the brain keep cool and the heart keep quiet When the blood is a river that’s raining hot? And boys will be boys, the old folks say, And the man’s the better who's had his day. The sinner reformed, and the preacher told of the prodigal son who came back to the fold. And the Christian people threw open the door With a warmer welcome than ever before. Wealth and honor was his to command, And a spotless woman gave him her hand, And the world strewed their pathway with flowers a bloom, Crying, ‘‘God bless lady and God bless groom.’ There was a maiden went astray, In the golden dawn of her life's young day. She had more passion and heart than head, And she followed blindly where fond love led. And love unchecked is a dangerous guide To wander at will by a fair girl's side. The woman repented and turned from sin. But no door opened to let her in. The preacher prayed that she might be for given. But told her to look for mercy in Heaven. For this is the law of earth, we know. That the woman is scorned, while the man may go. A brave man wedded her after all. But the world said, frowning. ‘‘We shall not call! ‘New Orleans Times- Democrat.
Newspaper Details
Centralia Sentinel
Centralia, Illinois, US
Thu, Mar 12, 1891
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Sherrie H.
USA 20 Apr 2026
Other Publications Near Centralia, Illinois
Centralia Egyptian Republic
Centralia Democrat
Centralia Mt Vernon Sentinel
Centralia Daily Sentinel
Sentinel
