The Portland daily press., 1864-09-12
THE GRAND CHARGE.
Tremendous Demonstration !!
The Camp Fires Brightly Burning
THOUSANDS PRESENT.


The last grand charge prior to the election
took place Saturday evening, and such dem
onstration has never before been witnessed in
this city. Long before the hour of meeting
the spacious City Hall was crowded full, and
thousands had congregated on the outside,
unable TO even get up stairs. The splendid
Band OF the 18th u. S. Infantry, led by Pop
penburg, diseoursed patriotic music from the
balcony, while fireworks in profusion were ex-
hibited from the same place.
At halfpast o'clock the meeting in the
hall was called to order by the Chairman of
the City Committee, N. A. Foster, Esq., who
nominated as Chairman OF the meeting Gen.
Neal Dow The nomination was unanimously
ratified, end Gen. Dow was received with stun
ming applause as he took tae chair.
After some eloquent and patriotic remarks,
the Chairman read the following letter from
Hon. Charles Sumner:
BosToN, Sept s, 1864.
My DEAR SIR:-It is not in my power to
be with you at your rally in Portland for the
Union and Liberty. one and iasepdrdble, ac-
been honored. But rejoice to believe that
my voice cannot be needed. The way of duty
is as plain as day.
Surely there can be no doubt how Maine
rib taken out Of the side of Massachusetts
will vote when the Union and Liberty are both
in peril. She has done too much already for
the good cause, and has invested too much of
blood and treasure in its support, TO consent
to its ignoble sacrifice at this hour when final
frfnmnh ia hauinuinU RI illu he ho~s.
ION, and we can clearly see the beginning Of
the end.
One more blow and the cause is won! One
more blow with united strength and peace Is
secured forever! Who hesitates to strike this
finishing blow? Who interposes, at this late
hour, to save the rebellion and to continue
slavery? But every vote for a Chicago can
didate hath this extent" 1t is vote to let
the rebels 60. Nay more; il is vote to break
up this beloved country and to hand it over to
anarchy, reputation and chaos, while slavery
grins In triumph.
We are watching your election, and longing
to see none but patriots chosen; none but pa
triots In the State Government, and none but
patriots In the Houses of Congress. But a
supporter Of the Chicago platform cannot be a
patriot He is next door to a traitor
Believe me, dear Governor, with much re-
gard, very sincerely yours,
hs
Hon. l. WAsHBURy, Jr.
Vocferous applause was given to the letter
of the eloquent statesman.
Hon. Edward Fox, chairman of the COM
mittee to nominate candidates for Representa-
tives, reported that the committee had unani-
mously agreed upon the names of Samuel w.
Larrabee, Nathan Webb, James F. Miller and
Nathaniel o. Cram.
The nominations were unanimously &C
cepted.
Judge Fox briefly addressed the audience
in q thrilling manner,
Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr., of Boston, was in
troduced to the audience by the Chairman,
and he met with reception that must have
been gratifying TO his feelings. For about an
hour he addressed the vast audience upon the
Importance Of the coming contest and the ne
cessity Of the election of Abraham Lincoln in
order to establish true republican principles.
Mr.. Quincy was repeatedly interrupted by the
applause bestowed upon his remarks.
Charles w. Story, Esq, Of Boston, followed
Mr.. Quincy, and in an able and eloquent speech
of about an hour presented the true state OF
the case, and urged Union men to do their
whole duty in this State, to which the eyes of
the people Of all the other States were now
turned. He was enthusiastically applauded
in the course Of his speech.
Hon. George F. Talbot, of this city, was the
nextspeaker. 1t was the first time the gen.
tleman addressed Portland audience. His
remarks were eloquent, clear and convincing.
He was loudly applauded.
james G. Sturgis, of Gorham, returned
private of the 18th Maine, addressed the meet
ing, and was received with rousing applause.
he gave some account of the feelings of the
soldiers In the field as regards the Presidential
question, and stated some facts which copclu-
siTely prove that the soldiers are not in favor
of Mcclellan. In two regiments not from this
State, where votes had been taken to ascer-
tain the sentiments OF the men, Mcclellan got
but four votes in one regiment and three 10 the
other. Shouts of applause greeted the speech
Of the gallant soldier.
Shaw's Quartette Club sang during the eve.
ming the patriotic songs of "Rally Round the
Flag, Boys" National Hymn of the Re-
public" "Our Native Land,' and several
others, a choir with the whole audience join
ing in the choruses, which were SO warmly
applauded that they were obliged to repeat
some of them.
"We are coming Father Abraham was sung
In splendid style by Miss Cammett, the choir,
consisting of about twenty excellent singers,
loing In the chorus. The applause was I'M
bounded.
At II o'clock the meeting with three cheers
'or the Union and the cause broke up, every
man determined TO do his whole duty TO-DAY.
Outside Meeting.
The crowd outside the hall was larror ,h.n
that inside. Finding there was no cbsoos -
get within hearing of those who wers ~ snasS
in the hall, meeting was at once improvised
and Otis Cutler, Esq, appointed Chairman
John A. Poor, Esq, eloquently addressed |
the crowd, and made some telling shots, which /
brought forth tremendous applause. We have
heard Mr.. Poor speak frequently, but never
better than he did on this occasion, when he
was unexpectedly called upon.
Judge Kingsbury followed Mr.. Poor. In
some spirited and earnest remarks. which were
loudly applauded.
John LYNCH Esq, was called out, and when
he took the stand the applause was trsmen-
dous. Mr.. Lynch spoke for about three onar
ters Of an hour, and his remarks were s,oh
70 convince his hearers that he was not onI,,
good business man but also an eloquent