The Hartford Republican Party held two rallies in support of William McKinley

The Courant estimated the crowd at the end of the event to be 4,000.  Otherwise, the crowds at each of the two rallies was simply “large.”

1. At the first rally, the “Third Ward republicans flung a handsome portrait banner across Main street. The banner is 20x30 feet and has besides the names of McKinley and Hobart and their portraits a centerpiece of a shield surmounted by an eagle, while each portrait has for a decoration at its side pictures of factories in full blast.”
2. At the second rally, “a handsome American flag was swung across the street, bearing the names of McKinley and Hobart and the legend, ‘Open the mills of the country to American labor, rather than its mints to the silver of the world.’”

1. The Courant considered the first rally at Canton and Main streets to be “up town,” while the second rally at the Aetna building was “down town.”
2. William McKinley was the Republican candidate for the presidency, and Garret Hobart was the Republican candidate for the vice presidency.
3. William Jennings Bryan was the Democratic candidate for the presidency. Although he wasn’t mentioned at either rally, The Democratic candidate for the vice presidency was Arthur Sewall.
4. Morgan G. Bulkeley attended the rallies in his capacity as former governor of Connecticut. He was also president of Aetna Life Insurance Company at this time.
5. Henry C. Dwight was the former mayor of Hartford.

Unattributed.  “Two flag raisings,” Hartford Courant, September 30, 1896, page 5.