Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-17
For tho National Era
THE ANDOvER PORTFOLIO.
MAINE AWAKE!
ASDovER, J.lq IS, 1854.


gotten up by the women Of Maine, at Liver
more. The women of Maine, as q class, are
going before us all. People wonder how it was
that the Maine Law was carried, and why 1t Is
that it is better enforced there than in any
other State. The reason 10 obvious--the women
did it, The women, oil over Maine, were mar
shalled into bands, with regular officers, COR
responding with each other-the women wero
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 rum 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 gssemblage it was
The place Of tho meeting was oampground
formerly used BY the Methodists for their year
~ meetings. 1t was a beautiful grove Of white
birches aud hemlocks, in sequestered loca-
tion--a fine district Of billy country, near the
banks Of the Androsooggin.
Though the day was SO exceedingly sultry,
the gathering was wonderful Ia 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. Hale,
one of the principal orators Of the day. At the
railroad depot we found wagons waiting to
take US to the place. Into them we piled, the
sun giving us a most glowing and abundant
testimony Of his cordiality towards the affair
Among the vehicles was one which certainly
claimed the merit of originality. 1t was long,
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 ohil.
dren - chatting, laughing, and occasionally
breaking out into liberty songs. After stopping
at a farmhouse to take some refreshment, we
proceeded to the ground. Here we found q
platform erected, garlanded with wreaths of
oak leaves, and bearing the various flags and
cognizances Of the Liberty and Temperance
leagues Over the entrance to the grove was
hung white flag, wreathed with black Grape
displaying black stars and the inscription
The deed is done ~
The effect Of ouch outward symbols is very
great presume, not one Of that crowd saw
that flag for the first time without new and
vivid sense of the appalling fact that it alluded
to. Such on one ought to be displayed over,
the door Of every Northern assembly. Just as
Darius used to make bis cup-bearer every day
cry aloud at dinner, Remember the burning Of
Jardis,s 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, visters, and speakers.
Such an audience only New England can
show. They were the strong, determined self
respecting cultivators of the soil--men of Wig
orous hands and muscles, strong minds and
strong hearts There were women that are
women, with their bright, intelligent eyes, and
their thoughtful fAces-women who seemed to
feel az with one heart for their country's dis
grace and danger. Said one to me, 81 am the
daughter Of revolutionary soldier, and am
willing to live and die BY the principles my
father fought for.n The meeting was address.
cd by Professor Stowe and the President of the
Maine Temperance Societies About twelve
o'clock, there was a recess, and the whole COM
pany moved to bountiful refreshment tables.
spread in the shade. The whole grove presented
an animated scene Horses and vehicles tied in
the shade, groups Of busy takers scattered in
every direction, chatting and eating. Nothing
stronger than ice cream or lemonade was Of
fered on the ground, and in all the great crowd
was not an instance Of indeoorum. All was
quiet and orderly as in well-regulated house.
hold, excepting that now and then the sup
pressed race Of boys found vent for their spir-
it's in burst Of fire crackers, Just to keep
themselves in heart, and assure themselves
that it was really the Fourth of July. After a
recess of two hours the whole party took pos-
session OF their woodland temple again, and
listened TO most able address from ]. p Hale.
In most earnest, clear, and graphic man.
ner, be gave an account Ct the various compro-
misses which have been exacted by tho South,
and conceded by the North. During all the
speeches tho feeling of the audience went in
full concert with the speakers, frequently
bursting forth in warm calculations Of assent
and applause. IL was interesting to watch the
keen, shrewd, intelligent faces Of the old farm
ers as they closely followed Mr.. Heles argu-
ment, their hard features lighting up at every
successful point. Ii was evident that The peo-
pie was at last going to be power, that il was
touched, and rousipg itsclf to new effort
The universal and enthusiastic sentiment Of
the meeting was a union for Liberty against
Slavery, without respect to party ties. Such
vast gathering as this in this lonely, seques-
tered region, affair from the attractions of any
city or settlement is an indication OF the sur
ging Of an unprecedented feeling @Whst went
ye out into the wilderness for to sect Not
spires and domes, not theatres and e-works,
not to spend the much abused anniversary in
scnseless revellings, but with deep and manly
thoroughness to consider and understand the
present crisis in our country's welfare The
The presence Of 50 many farmers in the very
midst of the hayiog season is an indication Of
an aroused feeling transcendiDg all former
ones. A gentleman told Ms that the audience
was convened from the very remotest parts Of
the State, and that some have come hundreds
of miles IL seemed meet that in go awful
season rs this in our country's history, men
should forsske the man-made cities, and 70
forth, as Of old, into the wilderness-tho free,
bold. beautiful wilderness--where everything
speaks of freedom and Of God
The clergy Of Maine arc understood TO
stand in the very front ranks in the move
ment that is now making. In fact on one