1872-1900
1872
The First Adventure: The Grant and
In the summer of 1872, some time after the nomination of President Grant for his second term, some young fellows were enjoying themselves in one of the rear rooms of the old Ambros restaurant and café in
The club first adopted the name of The Grant and Wilson Glee Club, after the candidates for President and Vice-President, and would carry this practice forward until it finally incorporated in 1895.
The organization was of a semi-military character, as the club was to be a marching club (as all political clubs were in those days) as well as a singing club. The members grew in number at every meeting, and the club immediately began the most vigorous course of rehearsals and drills such as would simply appall the members of present day clubs. The result, however, "…was soon apparent in their splendid efficiency in both departments." Its services were eagerly sought at all political meetings and parades. Many in that campaign felt it to have been one of the hottest ever known in the political history of the country. It was characterized by a big defection in the Republican Party, with the seceders nominating Horace Greely of
For the Grant and Wilson campaign, the club wore a uniform of white oil cloth caps and capes, the latter having a wide red collar. The members also carried what the 1916 history calls "blow torches" and with over one hundred men in line, always made a brave showing, as they were very well drilled. However, it was at the meeting where they really shone, "…where their splendid music always created the greatest furor as such chorus singing had never been heard before." Some of their many songs were humorous, ridiculing the claims of the hybrid party and the peculiarities of its candidate. The one that was most effective was "Upidee, I’m going West," (referring to Greely’s advice to young men to go west and grow up with the country). Their favorite song was a politico-patriotic song called "Four Years More" and never failed to create enormous enthusiasm. The text of the song, as printed in the 1916 history, is as follows:
FOUR YEARS MORE
Stand by the Union soldiers true
Four years more, Four years more.
Stand by the old Red White and Blue
Four years more.
Peace to the nations east and west
Peace to the land we love the best
Peace to the Demmies, let them rest
Four years more.
CHORUS
Four years more, Four years more.
Rally for your leader, boys
Four years more.
Peace to the Demmies, let them rest
Four years more.
Men of the Northland, all combine
Four years more, Four years more.
Men of the Southland fall in line
Four years more.
Tell to the world both old and new
Tell to the world that men are true
Tell to the World that Grant will do
Four years more.
CHORUS
Four years more, Four years more.
Rally for your leader, boys
Four years more.
Peace to the Demmies, let them rest
Four years more.
Have been unable to secure the original words to the third verse.
U. S. A for government,
U. S. N. for armament,
U. S. G. for president
Four years more.
One of the grand songs of this and many succeeding clubs was "Stand by the Flag," as follows:
STAND BY THE FLAG
Arranged by W. H. Lott
1
Stand by the flag, its folds have streamed in glory
To foes a fear, to friends a festal robe,
And spread in rhythmic lines the sacred story
Of freedom’s triumph over all the globe.
Stand by the flag on land or ocean billow,
By it your fathers stood unmoved and true,
Living defended, dying from their pillow,
With their last blessing passed it to you
2
Stand by the flag though death shots round it rattle,
And underneath as waving folds, have met
In all the dread array of sanguine battle,
The guiding lance and glittering bayonet.
Standby the flag, all doubt and treason scorning,
Believe with courage firm and faith sublime,
That it will float until the eternal morning,
Pales in its glory all the light of time.
The meetings were always opened or closed by singing the "Star Spangled Banner," a custom that marked the singing of every club for many years since that day and one that is hallowed in glee club annals. The later clubs, by a display of flags by each member at the end of the anthem, "…created unbounded enthusiasm."
It was during a trip to
After the close of the campaign of 1872 and the triumphant election of General Grant, the club decided to go to
After singing several songs in the big East Room, the General proposed a lunch.
The success of this Glee Club was due to many things, but especially the power and ability of William H. Lott as a chorus trainer and director. His splendid talents and high musical ideals made a mark on
In 1874 an effort was made to turn the organization into a singing club for mixed voices. Benj. Owens, an experienced and accomplished musician, was secured as the Musical Director. Quite a large club was formed which studied considerable classical music "…of high class," and gave one of two concerts. It then "…gave up the ghost." The male section was composed of the Glee Club members and the female section of most of the best lady singers of the city.
1876
The Hayes and Wheeler Glee Club
Immediately after the nomination of Rutherford B. Hayes as the Republican candidate for President, the members of the old Grant and Wilson Glee Club were called together and organized a new club called the Hayes and Wheeler Glee Club. They transferred all the belongings of the old club to the new one. It was, in fact, a continuation of that organization. Captain Charles C. Chadwick was elected President and W. H. Lott Musical Director. They created the office of Commander and elected Colonel George D. Freeman to that position. He continued to hold a similar position in succeeding clubs until his death, with the exception of one year, when he was president of the club. The Club took a most active part in the campaign and did most effective work. Its most popular song was as follows:
as follows:
HIP HIP HURRAH
We’ve a pilot true and tried, Hip, Hip, Hurrah,
And whatever may betide, Hip, Hip, Hurrah,
We to him will trust our fate,
As he guides the ship of state,
Tho’ the storms be wild and wide.
CHORUS
Hip, Hip, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah,
We are sailing, sailing on to victory,
Shout aloud and keep the flag unfurled;
Hip, Hip, Hurrah.
When we anchor safely, we’ll sing the jubilee,
And send the joyous tidings round the world.
2
But a battle we must fight, Hip, Hip, Hurrah,
In defense of truth and right, Hip, Hip, Hurrah,
With and old and battered craft
That is leaky fore and aft, See, she yonder heaves in sight
CHORUS
3
To your posts, ye valiant ones, Hip, hip, hurrah,
Clear your ship and train your guns, Hip, hip, hurrah,
Nail the colors to the mast,
To a rock the anchor fast
Of a hundred thousand tons
CHORUS
4
Let the sheeted lightenings break, Hip, hip, hurrah,
And with hail and thunder shake, Hip, hip, hurrah,
All her timbers to a wreck,
‘Til the flame beleaguered deck,
Shall the conquered crew forsake.
CHORUS
The Club attended inaugural festivities at the White House and had a magnificent time enjoying their acquaintance with President Hayes and his most estimable wife, Gracie. They were also received well by other high dignitaries during their
1881
The Garfield-Arthur Glee Club
Immediately upon the announcement of the nomination of General James A. Garfield, the old club reorganized with Frank T. Cole as President, W. H. Lott, Music Director and Colonel Freeman as Commander. The club was a large one as there was always a great desire to get into it, and many a fellow was sorely disappointed when he couldn’t pass the musical examination that was required. The club sang at all the meetings and marched in all the parades and carried their torches with the best of them. They had many songs. The most popular song was "Jump into the Boat Boys," based on
JUMP INTO THE BOAT BOYS
Jump into the boat boys,
And all your comrades bring,
And let us sing together
The songs we used to sing.
Then as we gaily float along,
We’ll make the welkin ring,
By cheering for Garfield
And the Union
CHORUS
Ye ho! ye ho, shall be our glorious song,
Ye ho! ye ho, as our boat speeds along.
For Garfield’s on the tow path and pulling mighty strong,
Hurrah for Garfield and the Union.
2
Jump into the boat boys,
Her hull is good and strong,
She’s made of honest timber
And will speed us safe along,
She’s still owned by the party brave
That battled against the wrong,
And conquered the foes of this great Union.
CHORUS
3
Jump into the boat boys,
There’s work for all to do,
There’s a solid South against us,
So let’s be solid too.
Again let’s face the struggle with
Our Garfield, tried and true,
And rally round the flag of this great Union.
CHORUS
The club made the trip to
1884
The Blaine and
This was the banner club as far as the numbers were concerned, a grand army of singers with trained voices. Many people said that it was the greatest organization the club ever produced. Of course, this will be denied by members of subsequent clubs. When it turned out with its attractive uniform and its own drum corps, it made a great impression. This was the last club to carry torches. Willis G. Bowland was President of the club, W. H. Lott, Director and Colonel Freeman, Commander.
Among it's many songs, the most popular was "Twenty Years or More." It was a difficult song to sing, but the way that magnificent chorus could tear it off created the wildest enthusiasm. The song was written by Joseph Samson, "…of this city…," father of Harold G. Samson, who had been the Musical Director and President of the club. The song is as follows:
Air: The Torpedo and the Whale
1
Away up in the State of Maine,
Lives a man whose name is Blaine,
Our Jim Blaine of the State of Maine,
Of President he’ll bear the name,
Champion worthy of the claim, Oh! Oh! Oh--
A mighty man he is Oh!
A cyclone he will prove Oh!
To the lo-co-fo-co-el-e-ment.
The sore heads they will cry,
Before this thing is over,
They will all discover,
They’re mistaken now as they have been For twenty years or mo’.
2
Black Jack is our second man,
Black Jack is our second man,
Black Jack Logan is the man, To stir this Democratic clan,
A champion worthy of the name, Oh! Oh! Oh!--
A champion when he battled,
And when the muskets rattled ,
Among the rebel Johnnies he held our flag on high,
But since the war is over,
We all have lived in clover,
And the Demmies they’ve been weepin’
For twenty years or mo".
3
A shout we’ll send up to the skies,
A shout we’ll send up to the skies,
A shout we’ll send up to the skies,
For Blaine and Logan we will rise
Our voice and votes to their surprise, Oh! Oh! Oh!--
In the blasts of cold November
They will shiver and surrender
As they have done for many years, and will for many mo’.
Our standard’s one of beauty
And we will do our duty,
For our candidates we’’’ send them up
For twenty years or mo’.
4
A man named Cleveland leads their van,
A man named Cleveland leads their van,
A sorry bach’lor is this man,
He can’t be president of this land,
Because he hasn’t got the sand , Oh! Oh! Oh!--
With no one for to mend his clothes,
His socks with big holes in their toes,
A tramp he’ll be, with all his woes, as he’s been befo’.
The boys and girls will laugh at him,
Old maids will throw chaff at him
Oh he’ll go on a tramp again
For twenty years or mo’.
As is well known,
1885
State Campaigns
In 1885, the Club adopted the plan of yearly campaigns, mainly at the insistence of the political leaders. They were named after the candidate for Governor each year. The one that year was called the Foraker Glee Club, as Foraker was the gubernatorial candidate. W. G. Bpowland was President and Lott was Musical Director. The work of the Club in these gubernatorial campaigns was of a high class, although membership was not so large as the presidential clubs.
It was in 1891 that the Club, complying further with the demands of the party leaders, attended the campaign opening for McKinley’s first campaign for the Governorship, and continued to do yeoman’s service during the campaign. They also began attending small meetings in the city and the county.
1888
The Harrison and Morton Club
As usual, no sooner was it announced that Benjamin Harrison and Levi P. Morton had been nominated, than the old Glee Club, nothing daunted by the defeat of
Bye Bye Democrats
Chorus
Harrison and Morton we hab in de boat,
And de ship ob State’s once more afloat,
To the White House we’re a-gwine,
And the weather it is fine,
And its Bye-Bye, Demmies, we’re a gwine.
CHORUS
1
Oh, Bye-Bye, Demmies, we’re a-gwine
Bye-Bye, Demmies, we’re a-gwine
No use to grieve about it,
Cause you’ve got to do without it,
And it’s Bye-Bye, Demmies, we’re a-gwine
2
The Democratic Rooster was a spillin’ for a fight
And he’ll jump on a barrell wid all his might,
And he cackled and he crowed,
As everybody knowed
Dat it’s Bye-Bye, Demmies, we’re a-gwine
CHORUS
3
He crowed in such a boisterous way,
Dat he wake the old coon at de break ob day
An’ dat Democratic chicken
He’ll get such a Buckeye lickin’
Dat it’s Bye-Bye, Demmies, we’re a-gwine.
CHORUS
4
Bye-Bye, Demmocrats, where’s you a-gwine?
Up salt river, I know by your whine,
Cleveland as your pilot and the bandana as your ballast,
It’s bye-bye, Demmies, you’re a gwine.
CHORUS
There was also another humorous song "There were Three Crows Sat on Tree," ridiculing Cleveland and Thurman. For the first time in history of the Club, it did not go to
1892
The Harrison and Reid Club
In 1892, Harrison and Reid were our candidates on the presidential ticket. As usual we had a big club and did a lot of effective work. However, they were dealt a bitter defeat by Cleveland and Stevenson. One of the most popular songs was "Benny’s Train," which was as follows:
BENNY’S TRAIN
Solo by John Malloy
1
Our Benny’s Train is coming,
I hear it just at hand,
I hear the car wheels moving
And rumbling through the land.
Chorus
Get on board, voters,
Get on board, voters,
Get on board, voters,
There’s room for many more.
2
Oh! don’t you hear the whistle?
It used to sound so good,
When it bro’t the boys their rations
When fighting General Hood.
CHORUS
3
The fare is cheap and all can go,
The rich and poor are there
And every brave old veteran
Gets a reclining chair
CHORUS
4
The train has ne’er run off the track,
For over twenty years,
And now its run by Bennie,
The best of engineers.
1893
In 1893, the Club helped to open the McKinley campaign for Governor at Akron and took a most active part in it. McKinley had become quite well acquainted with the boys by this time and always enjoyed their singing. Often he would join in himself, and always on the "Star Spangled Banner." O. E. D. Barron was Musical Director. The principal songs were "Only Last Fall," a parody based on "After the Ball," and the "The Tin Tariff Man." At McKinley’s inauguration as governor, the Club was invited to take part in the ceremonies, and continued to do so on many succeeding gubernatorial inaugurations.
1895
The Republican Glee Club of
Columbus, Ohio
In 1895, the Club had really acquired the habit of continual service, so they decided to incorporate the organization. Accordingly, W. G. Bowland, Geo. K. Nash, John R. Malloy, R. M. Rownd, Leo Hirsch, Tod. B. Galloway and O. E. D. Barron applied to the Secretary of State. On July 25th of that year a charter was issued to the Republican Glee Club of Columbus, Ohio. The Club elected Tod "Spelled like God" B. Galloway, as President, Chas. H, Scofield, Vice-President; Horace H. Tremain, Secretary; P. W. Huntington, Treasurer; O. E. D. Barron, Musical Director and Colonel George D. Freeman as Commander. The Club took part in the campaign that fall.
Thus was initiated a new movement in the work of the Glee Club in the nature of a stable and continuous organization, which took an active part in all political movements and campaigns even for city elections, and has continued to do so until the present time. It also adopted a systematic plan for the conduct of a male chorus singing society and still continues the same.
While it has had many successes in the latter line, there are many who think its virility as a political organization has suffered somewhat. This may be visible to the old time political partisan but to the present day member and the friends of the club the pep is still gloriously prominent and will always be. There is nothing that can make this club falter in its political service or do anything to dishonor its glorious past. In December at the annual election J. Kilbourne Jones was elected President and Willis Bowland Musical Director, and worked assiduously through the winter of 1895 and 1896 preparatory to the presidential campaign of 1896. On February 28th, 1897, Mr. Jones was compelled to resign on account of ill health and Mr. W. S. Potter was elected in his place.
1896
McKinley and Hobart Campaign
The Club was running over with enthusiasm on the nomination of McKinley, and could hardly wait for the great opening of the campaign at Akron. The Club had grown large, was good, and did more campaign work than ever before. Not only did it attend all the big meetings and parades, but it divided itself into sections and sang at all kinds of ward and country meetings. The big song that year was "Factory Alley," a parody on "Paradise Alley" written by Tod Galloway. Words of the song follow.
HE’S THE HERO OF FACTORY ALLEY
Air: "Sunshine of Paradise Alley"
Chorus
We’ve a leader named MAC,
Always on the right track, For the workingman’s plight he feels keenly;
1
Honest toil he defends,
With a zeal that commends,
Our own Gov-er-nor WILLIAM McKINLEY!
And with enemies few,
Around him the people will rally,
He is just, he is fair,
And the voters declare,
He’s the Hero of Factory Alley.
CHORUS
Every voter up to the poles will go,
All the way on election day, yes we will go,
Always loyal, heart that is true, you know,
He is the Hero of Factory Alley.
2
Throw the shops open wide,
"Lay Free Silver Aside"
Was broadcast from section to section,
"If you wish to cure ills,
Close the mint not the mills"
Said this champion of honest protection.
With a shout and a cheer,
When election day’s here,
Every workingman’s vote we will tally,
Goodbye "sixteen-to-one,"
For Ohio’s great son,
Is the hero of Factory Alley.
A unique occurrence took place at the end of the campaign when a little eisteddfod (Welsh: a sitting session; a yearly meeting in Wales of poets, musicians, etc., at which prizes are given for compositions and performances) was held. A prize of twenty-five dollars was presented by J. C. Campbell that was to be awarded to the best performing section. Each section was composed of twenty-four men and led by Evan Ellis, Frank B. Bryan, James E. Hull, and J. D. Lott. The music chosen were two songs: "Factory Alley" and "Evermore." Great interest was taken in a very spirited contest. The sections were evenly matched as to quality and proficiency. The prize was awarded to Mr. Bryan’s Section, which the adjudicators decided had won by one point in a possible 150. .The Club went to the inauguration, of course, and made the greatest hit it had ever made in Washington, as it took part in a big concert at the Pension Building, this being the first time a political club had ever taken part in any inaugural function and this was one of the inaugural entertainments. In responding to the encores of some of its songs the Club sang some political ones, which set the immense audience of twelve thousand people wild with enthusiasm, for they had never heard such political music. President Potter and Musical Director Lott (they having been elected in December of 1896) were in their glory and Colonel Freeman was a proud and happy man as he led the Club in the inaugural parade, the first on the Club had ever marched in. The club had a new uniform of a dark blue mackintosh with cape lined with yellow with cap to match, and presented a nice appearance.
INAUGURAL GRAND CONCERT
In Honour of the United States Army
Represented by General Nelson A. Miles and Military Staff
Friday morning, 9:30, March 5, 1897
By Mr. Victor Herbert’s 22nd Regiment Band (late Gilmore’s Famous Band), and
the renowned Republican Glee Club of Columbus, Ohio
PROGRAMME -1
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1. Overture "Raymond |
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Thomas |
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2. Spring Serenade |
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Lacombe |
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3. Grand finale from "Aida" |
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Verdi |
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4. Artillerist’s Oath |
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5. The New Hail Columbus, from "Tabasco March" |
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Arr. by W. H. Lott |
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6. Trombone Solo "The Lost Chord" |
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Arr. by W. H. Lott |
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7 Spanish Ballet Suite 7 (a) Senodelle 7 (b) Havana 7 (c) Bolero D’Cadix |
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Desormes |
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8 Gay Pilgrim |
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9 Sextette from "Lucia" |
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Donizetti |
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10 (a) Passing the Cotton Fields |
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Clarke Lax |
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11 Starlight Waltz, from the comic opera |
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Victor Herbert |
INAUGURAL GRAND CONCERT
Twenty Second Regiment Band and Republican Glee Club of Colum-
bus, Ohio, Friday, 8:30, March 5, 1897.
PROGRAMME - 2
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1. Grand March, |
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Victor Herbert |
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2. Overture--"William Tell" |
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Rossini |
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3. Cornet Solo-- |
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Arban |
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4. Stand by the Flag |
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Arr. by W. H. Lott |
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5. Second Hungarian |
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Liszt |
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6. Selections from "Falka" |
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Chassaigne |
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7. I Think of Thee |
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8. Star Spangled Banner |
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Key |
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9. Grand American Fantaise |
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Victor Herbert |
Annual Campaigns
The Club took a leading part in the campaigns of 1897-1898, Potter being President and Lott Musical Director. On August 26, 1897,J. Jay Barber was elected Secretary of the Club, and then commenced a service that lasted during his life time. He impressed his personality upon the Club. He died in November, 1910. In 1897 Asa Bushnell was our candidate for governor for the second term and Mark Hanna was candidate for United States Senator. The entire fight during the campaign by the Democrats was made against Hanna. Bushnell and Hanna won out triumphantly. Mr. Hanna was practically elected by the popular vote. When, however, the Legislature convened, certain Republicans combined with the Democrats and tried to defeat the will of the majority of the people. Bushnell was mixed up in the scheme and the feeling in the party ran very high, he being roundly denounced by the Republicans from every part of the State. A tremendous meeting of representatives from all parts of the state was held here and denounced the Governor and the conspirators, at which the club sang. The Glee Club was justly incensed after his great work for him, and adopted some scathing resolutions denouncing what was considered party perfidity. But Uncle Mark finally won out and was complimented by the Club with a serenade at the Neil House, when an old fashioned love feast was held.
It was during the campaign of "97 that the song "Great Big Man," referring to Mark Hanna, was composed by James Ball Naylor. It has been applied to every big Ohio man since, and to non more than President Taft in his campaign for the Presidency. The original song was as follows:
A GREAT BIG MAN
Tune: "O-wa-hoo"
Ho! there’s a brainy politician from the good old Buckeye State,
His name is Marcus Hanna. and you bet your life he’s great--
He’s a tried and trusted leader, he is always up to date--
And everybody knows he’s from Ohio.
CHORUS
He’s a great big man--don’t you ever doubt it,
And he’ll keep on growing--now that he’s about it,
And as Senator people all will shout it--
And everybody knows he’s from Ohio.
CHORUS
Oh! he’s no Billy Bryan fakir we would have it understood--
For when he’s asked to show his hand he’s ready with the goods,
And nervous Democrats skeedaddle to the tall and shady woods
To dodge this manly fighter from Ohio.
CHORUS
He loved his country, state and party, and he stands for their defense,
He’s short on maudlin sentiment, but long on common sense,
If anybody’s itching for a scrap why let him just commence,
Mark Hanna’ll do the fighting for Ohio.
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1899
Nash Campaign
It was in 1899 that the Glee Club was most signally honored by the Republicans of the State in the nomination of George K. Nash, an active associated of this club and trustee, as its standard bearer. Nobody could claim that George was a singer, but he was an astute politician and a 32O Republican, and the Club never had a more enthusiastic and valuable member.
The way the boys "whooped ‘em up" for him will long be remembered and they were pleased beyond measure when he was elected, not only in 1899 and 1901. They sang through both campaigns and at both inaugurations.
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