The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-09-03
Great Union Demonstration---The Gam
paign Fairly Opened.


The City Hall was literally packed last
evening-the gallery with ladies-and more
attentive or enthusiastic audience we never
witnessed. The meeting was called TO order
by n. A. Foster, Esq, chairman OF the City
Committee, on whose motion Nathan Webb,
Esq, was called to the chair.
Mr.. Webb was greeted with rapturous cheers.
aud with a few eloquent words inlrodut ed
Hon. WM. d. KELLEY OF Philadelphia, as the
speaker of the evening.
On rising TO speak there was such an out
burst OF applause, long continued, that it was
some moments before Mr.. Kelley could COM
mence. II was evident from the start that
the old camp fires had beer kept burning, and
that no tagging OF patriotism has been suffer
ed to embarrass the spirit of the loyal, Union
loving citizens of Portland.
Judge Kelley spoke for about two hours
aud a quarter. and no audience was ever more
completely risited TO their seats. His review
o. our national affairs; OF the history Of the
war and the causes that led 10 IL; OF the men
who precipitaied 1t aud the crimInality of the
administration that saw the work Of ruin GO
ing on without an effort to avert it, was faith
tul aud just. We will attempt no sketch or
abstract, for no words Of ours could do justice
is the eloquent speaker. His heart was in
the work aud the hearts of the vast audience
were with him. Some of his illusions to Nc
Clellan were perfectly whitening; all the more
81 from their truthiulness. His account OF
the action of the House of Representatives on
the proposed amendment to the constitution,
50 AS to settle the slavery question by the
peaceful action of the people at the ballot-box
aud the defeat Of the effort through Democrat
ic votes, including the vote of the Democratic
Representative from this district-thus show
lag that the Democratic party North, as well
uity-was exceedingly interesting, and could
not have failed to produce great effect The
closing paragraph Of the speech was one of
the most eloquent passages that we have
ever listened to, and the applause which fol-
lowed was perfectly deafening.
A fine patriotic song was sung by a quar-
tie OF gentlemen led by Mr.. j. L. Shaw, and
the cpl ndid band of the 18th U. s. Infantry,
furnished some OF their best music.
Hundreds went away being unable to get
Inside the hall or even 10 obtain a standing
place outside where they could hear the
speaker.
During Judge Keley's speech Mr.. Lynch,
our candidate Tor Congress, entered the hall
and took a seat on the platform. He was
greeted with long and enthusiastic applause,
so much so that Judge Kelley, who had not
noticed his entrance, was at loss to account
for such sudden outbreak. But on being in
formed by the chairman, Mr.. Webb, of the
purport OF the applause, gracefully remarked,
he should greet Mr.. Lynch Ia Congress, as
cordially as he had been greeted on this occa-
sion.
The meeting adjourned with three rousIng
cheers for Lincoln aud johnson, and three
more for Judge Kelley.
This evening the bail viii be kept In motion
By speech from that noble and patriotic ref
ugee, E. B. TURNER, Esq, of Texas. The
h all will no doubt be again crowded to It's ut
most capacity.