The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-20
For the National Era.
THE ANDOvER PORTFOLIO.
MAINE AwAKEl

DEAR DOCTOR Last week the dog staS was
in the ascendant, and ragged fiercely. To .leaye
the breezy hill of Andover, for hot railroae cars
ana clnder showers, was not meet but Fever
theless we did it, having some weeks before
engaged to attend celebration of the Fourth,
gotten up by the women Of Maine, at Liver
more. The women of Maine, as O class, are
going before rs all. People wonder how it was
that the Maine Law was carried, and why IL is
that it is better enforced there than in any
other State. The reason ia obvious 1.-The women
did It, The women, all over Maine were rnar-
shalied into bands, with regular officers, cor
responding with each other--the women v'ere
the electric wires on which the movement
flashed all through the State Since the pas
sage of the Nebraska bill has shown the North
the necessity OF efficient movement against Sla-
very, the women have organized, In the same
manner, bands of Freedom. Freedom and
Temperance are united. Slavery and ruin are
to be resisted by the same Organizations and
the same weapons. The Fourth of July was
appointed for grand muster Of all the united
forces of Freedom and Temperance-the Sons
of temperance and Daughters Of Freedom
and right noble assemblage it was.
The place Of the meeting was camp ground
formerly used by the Methodists for their year
ly meetings 1t was beautiful grove, of white
birches and hemlocks, in a sequestered loca-
tion--a fine district of billy country, near the
banks of the Androscoggin
Though the day was so exceedingly sultry,
the gathering was wonderful. In every direc-
ton, excursion cars were pouring in their
throngs, and it was computed that the number
was between seven and eight thousand.
In the cars, on the way, we. met J. P. Tale,
one of the principal orators of the day. a tho
railroad depot We found wagons waiting to
take US to the place. Into them we piled the
sun giving US most glowing and abuD dant
testimony of has cordiality towards the affair.
Among the vehicles was one which certainly
claimed the merit of originality. 1t was song,
rough, board car, drawn by six oxen, shaded
by an awning of leaves, and decorated with
flags. In this primitive vehicle were seated
about forty people-men, women, and chill
dren - chatting, laughing and occasionally
breaking out into liberty songs. After stopp,ag
at farmhouse to take some refreshments, we
proceeded to the ground Here we found
platform erected, gsrlanded with wreaths of
oak leaves, and bearing the various flags aud
cognizances of the Liberty and Temperance
leagues Over the entrance TO the grove Soas
hung white flag, wreathed with black cro2e,
displaying black stars and the inscription
TIE deed is done!n
great. | presume, not one Of that crowdsaw
that flag for the first time without new aud
vivid sense of the appalling fact that it alluded
to. Such an one ought to be displayed over
the door of every Northern assembly. just as
Darius used to make his cup-bearer every day
cry aloud at dinner, /" Remember the burning Of
Jardis," SO ought New England everywhere, to
hold up in visible shape, before the eyes Of the
people, this outrage.
The audience were seated on benches, and
on the platform were the officers of the various
Societies, the clergy, visiters, and speakers.
Such an audience only New England can
show. They were the strong determined, sCf-
respecting cultivators of the soil--men of Wg-
orous hands and muscles, strong minds AID
strong hearts. There were women that Ore
women, with their bright, intelligent eyes, and
their thoughtful faces-women who seemed to
feel as with one heart for their country's dis
grace and danger. Said one to me, al am the
daughter of revolutionary soldier, and am
willing to live and die by the principles my
father fought for."" The meeting was address
ed by Professor Stowe and the President ofayle
Maine Temperance Societies. About twelve
o'clock, there was a recess, and the whole ctlsn-
pany moved to bountiful refreshment tab o.
spread in the shade. The whole grove presep I'd
an animated scene Horses and vehicles tee in
the shade, groups of busy takers scattered in
every direction, chatting and eating. Moth 1g
stronger than. leo cream or lemonade was If
fered on the ground, and in sll the great Gro I'd
was not an instance of indecorum. All as
quiet and orderly, as in q well-regulated hot C.
hold, excepting that now and then the SIP
pressed race of boys found vent for their ST r
its in burst of fire crackers, just to X 30
themselves in heart, and assure themsel cs
that it was really the Fourth of July. Ate 8
recess of two hours the whole party took az
session Of their woodland temple again, i'd
listened to most able address from ]. p HI Co.
In q most earnest, clear, and graphic m; o.
ncr he gave an account Of the various comp O.
misses which have been exacted by the Sou b,
and conceded by the North. Daring eli &c
speeches, the feeling of tho audience went IN
full concert with the speakers, frcquep ~
bursting forth in warm CALCULATIONS of ass at
and applause. 1t was interesting to watch de
keen, shrewd, intelligent faces OF the old far d
ers, as they closely followed Mr.. Hale's arI T.
ment their hard features lighting up at ev ~
successful point. 1t was evident that The p O.
pie was at last going TO be power, that it as
touched, and rousing itself to new etft It.
The universal and enthusiastic sentiment Of
the meeting was union for Liberty against
Slavery without respect to party ties. Such
u
tered region. afar from the attractions of a ny
city or settlement, is an indication Of the s;r-
ging of an unprecedented feeling. "Wbat W. Mt
We out into the wilderness for to see?" \ OF
spires and domes, not theatres and fire-wor rs,
not to spend the much abused anniversary in
senseless revellings, but with deep and maI.ly
thoroughness to consider and understand the
present crisis in our country's welfare. The
The presence of so many farmers in the Ffsy
midst of the haying season is an indication of
an aroused fesling transcending all forn.er
ones. A gentleman told Us that the audieSee
was convened from tho very remotest partsof
the State, and that some have come hundrf'd DIS
of miles Ii seemed meet that in so awfu. a.
season as this in our country's history, lien
should forsake the man-niade cities, and 20
forth, as of old, into the wilderness-the fee
bold, beautiful wilderncss-where everytb sg
speaks of freedom and of God.
The clergy of Maine are understood to
stand in the very front ranks in the move
ment that is now making In fact, on Cne
side is the Bible, the altar, the minister, the
wife, the mother, the sister, the whole sober
and temperate community; and, on the other
the Administration men, and the supporters of
grog-shope. So stands the cause in Maine,
and who can doubt which shall succeed?
The reception of the recreant Macdonald in
his State and district was such as justice might
approve. Groans and Kisses met him at each
station when the cars passed, and the people
by every means in their power contriyed to
make him feel their scorn at the basene5s Of
which he had been guilty.
Probably there has never been such cele.
bration of the Fourth Of July in New Englsnd
as this last. Fourth of July orations have been
turned into occasions for eloquent warfiEgs