The Scranton Tribune

GOLD HORSE SHOE FOR MR. M'KINLEY

He Is Presented with a Lucky Souvenir by L. J. Thomas.

WERE SIXTEEN HUNDRED VISITORS An Interesting Speech on the Currency Issue--American Finance and Credit Should Be Preserved and the Laws Should Be Sustained--Enthusiasm of the Springfield Delegation.

Canton, O., Oct. 1.-It took three special trains to bring the Portage county, Ohio, delegation to Canton today and it numbered more than 1,600 souls. There were McKinley and Hobart clubs from all the towns in the county and three marching clubs composed entirely of women. In the drizzling rain they marched with flags flying and bands playing, through the streets of Canton towards Major McKinley's residence. When they were within two blocks of it the indications for a heavy storm seemed so strong that the long line of enthusiasts from Portage county turned back to the Tabernacle, where Major McKinley addressed them. The spokesman for the Portage county people was ex-State Senator S. P. Wolcott. In response to his remarks, Major McKinley made a speech which was greeted from start to finish with cheers and tumultuous applause.

"We propose in this contest to protect our money from debasement and with the same votes to protect our industries from foreign competition," exclaimed Major McKinley in commencing his remarks, and this utterance was the keynote of his speech. Continuing, Major McKinley said:

In the great contests of the past, both in war and in peace, the Republican party has done proud and conspicuous service in the cause of liberty, honor, justice and truth. (Applause). Let us preserve her splendid example. (Great applause and cries of "We will.")

The issues of the present campaign, quite as distinctly as any of the great campaigns of the past, devolve upon the American citizen a most important duty. Our contention this year appeals to the best aspirations of American citizenship and involves just as certainly as any contest in the past ever involved, the honor and good faith of the country. We cannot close our eyes to the fact that if by our ballots we lower the credit of the government, repudiate its honest obligations in whole or in part, or deliberately depreciate a vast amount of its currency, we have aimed a blow at its hitherto unsullied name and honor. My fellow citizens, will we permit the name and honor of this great American nation to be sullied or tainted? (Loud cries of "No, never.")

This is the year to settle for all time that our national honor will not and cannot be tainted. (Applause and cries of "That's right.") No state of the Union ought ever to declare for a financial policy that encourages the violation of contracts, the repudiation of debts or the debasement of our circulating medium. It should be the common aim and pride of all that are Americans and intend at all hazards and at all time to preserve American finance and credit and uphold public law, (Great cheering). Never has the Republican cause more clearly appealed to conscience and intelligence than in this campaign. The patriotism for which you are so justly celebrated must not be abandoned. (Applause and cries of "It won't be.")

SPRINGFIELD DELEGATION

A few minutes after the Portage county delegation left the hall, the Springfield, Ohio, delegation arrived and it proved to be one of the most earnest and enthusiastic crowds that has been seen here. It was composed of the various Republican clubs of Clark county and made a striking appearance on the streets of Canton and demonstrated a capacity for cheering that has never been surpassed here by any visiting delegation.

When Major McKinley appeared on the stage at the Tabernacle the Springfield men rose to their feet, tossed their hats in the air and shouted for several minutes.

Major D. B. Hoover, commanding the McKinley and Hobart brigade called the meeting to order and the members of the brigade and saluted the candidate. J. C. Barnes introduced the spokesman, Judge John C. Miller, who made a brief speech bristling with good points.

After the speechmaking there were songs by the glee club and L. J. Thomas presented Major McKinley with a gold horse shoe, the receipt of which was acknowledged in a few words by Major McKinley. Mr. Thomas presented Gen. Harrison with a horse shoe of his own fashioning in 1888 and he thinks this shoe is sure to bring good luck.