The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-08-17

| afternoon to listen to speeches from Hon.
Henry Winter Davis of Baltimore, and Gen.
o. O. Howard of this State Long before the
meeting was called to order every seat in the
hall was flied, and all the standing places &C.
cupied. The proscenium and orchestral gal
leries were filed with ladies. The Portland
Band was in attendance and discoursed some
! of their best music.
Soon after o'clock the orators of the day,
accompanied by Vice President Hamlin, SEN
ators Fessenden and Morrill,, the Mayor Of the
city and other civil and religious dignataries
entered the hall and took seats upon the plat
form. Shouts of applause greeted them, the
Band playing "The Star Spangled Banner"
The meeting was called to order by Hon.
VIM. Pitt Fessenden, who remarked that he
did not come here to speak, but simply to call
the meeting to order, that they might listen to
words of eloquence from distinguished gen.
teman from distant State, and from gallant
officer Of our own State, one whom We all de-
| light to honor
He knew, he said, il would give the audience
pleasure when he should nominate as their
presiding officer one who was accustomed TO
preside over bodies, and who was now the
presiding officer OF body, which, at times,
was not quite so orderly as this meeting. He
would therefore nominate as presiding officer
our fellow citizen. the Vice President of the
United States. This announcement was greet
ed with enthusiastic applause. Mr.. Fessenden
then proposed the names of the following gen.
tlemen, for President, Vice Presidents and
Secretaries, and they were elected by accla-
nation, to witt
Proclamation. ii. Hamlin of Bangor.
Vice Presidents-Hon. Jacob Mcclellan,
Hon. Jedcdiah Jewett Hon. james j. Nc
Cobb, james Furnish, Esq, Portland; Hon.
Amos Nourse, Capt. James Drummond, Bath;
Hon. Toppan Ro6ie, Gorhaln; Hon. Charles
Hannaford, Cape Elizabeth; George Libby,
Esq, Westbrook; Henry l. Warren, Esq, Pow
wnal; Capt. Reuben Prince, Yarmouth; DIR.
Thomas Brown, Paris; I. j. Southard, Esq,
Richmond; Hon. Daniel Elliot, Brunswick;
Col. Francis Fessenden, Col. Thos. A. Roberts,
Portland; Col. William Writ Virgin, Col. Geo.
l.. Bea Norway; Col. Sabine Emery, East
port; A. Sprague, ESP, Rockland.
Secretdries-Wm. p. Preble, Esq, Portland;
Maj. c. ii. Howard, Leeds.
Mr.. Hamlin on taking the chair was greeted
with immense applause. After few remarks
he introduced to the audience
Hon. HENRY WINTER DAVIS Of Baltimore.
Mr.. Davis, on rising, was received with long
applause.
He commenced by saying, that there
was not so much necessity of throwing light
upon the subject they had met to consider as
to become better acquainted with each other.
Had the North and South better understood
each other, and oftener met to interchange
civilities. this rebellion would never have
reached its present magnitude. He was here
for the purpose of making the acquaintance
of the people of Maine-to see If the Union
men of Maine and the Union men OF Mary
land were the same upon the great movements
that are to decide the fate of this rebellion.
If the Democratic party shall succeed in
Maine and in Ohio, the three largest central
States will be in possession Of the enemy, and
the present Administration will be followed by
a Democratic Administration. He said the
Democratic party was an organized opposition
TO the war-not one was in favor of its vigor-
Gus proscc fion-not one could be found who
forts to put down the rebellion. lie inquired,
who among them was in favor of continuing
the war for the maintenance of the Govern
ment, the perpetuity oil our institutions, and
obedience to our national laws? Would Sey-
mour continue the war? or yallandigham; or
the men OF Indiana and Illinois, who have
been passing peace resolutions; or the men of
Maine, who have recently met in convention
ard talked OF calling back our troops? VIII
Mr.. Seymour's friends in New York say, con-
tinue the war, when they had it at their own
doors but failed to stamp it out?
He said these men were in favor Of contnu-
ing the war against Union citizens-in favor
of war TO embarrass the Administration and
10 secure the independence Of their friends at
the South, but are opposed to war that seeks
to perpetuate the Union and re establish the
authority OF the Government over the entire
country.
lie spoke of the folly of an armistice with
rebels in arms. Drop the sword for month,
said he, and where are you? Such a step,
once taken, could never be retraced. Our ar
my would be scattcred-the enemy would
have time to enlist still deeper the sympathics
OF Great Britain and France, and secure arms
and ammunition, which they have been fur
nishing, 10 some extent, from the commence
ment. The aristocracy of these countries
have been hopeful until the recent Union vic
tories have destroyed all these hopes. When
Lord Lyons proposed an Intervention, he was
told by the New York Democracy to wait un-
til the New York election was over, and until
they should elect Democratic President, and
then terms satisfactory to the South would be
entertained. He said those who propose an
armistice would place the South in position
OF responsibility, embarrass the Aduinistra-
ton. and practically admit the independence
of the rebellious States. He proved concur
sively that no armisticc with rebels in arms
should be liste1ed to for moment.
He said the South would not listen to any
plan Of reconstruction. lie said Mr.. Valan-
digham had been down South-the only man
that has been sent to the right place and got
out. What news does he bring from the dark
regions? II the South had any plan in view
| Tor reconstruction, would it not have been re-
vealed to Vallandigham! Why did he not
bring back the terms on which the South
would come back into the Union? The fact
| is they are not ready vet to accent peace only