The Portland daily press., 1866-08-28
AN ENTHUSIASTIC DEMON.
.qars STRATION.
"My Policy" secuted at.

The opening meeting of the Union Re-
publicans Of Portland last evening" at Deering
Hall, was grand affair. Long before the hour
of meeting the hall was packed as densely as
it could be. The Forest City Band furnished
some splendid music until the hour for calling
the meeting to order.
The meeting was called to order by M. A.
Blanchard, Esq, on whose motion Hon. Sam
uel E. Spring was elected Chairman, and s. R.
Small and r. w. Lincoln, Secretaries.
Mr.. Spring on assuming the duties of Chair
man was greeted with applause He remarked
that we had come together to do what we could
to re-eleot sour present faithful and energetic
Representative to Congress, Hon. John Lynch
(Cheers, and cries of we acU do it, If the peo-
pie of this District did their duty, Mr. Lynch
would receive 1000 majority. He alluded to
the johnson party and their endeavors to buy
up Republicans with the offices, to support the
johnson policy, and the bad luck they had met
with thus far in getting men for the Post Office
and Collectorship in this city.
In reference to the threat of Montgomery
Blair, that if tho johnson policy did not pre-
vail, or, in other words, if Mr. Sweat was not
elected to Congress, blood would flow in the
Streets of Portland, Mr.. Spring said if blood
was to flow, let not the johnson party wait for
us. He concluded his remarks by introducing
to the audience Maj General Nathaniel p
Banks.
Gen. Banks was greeted with cheer upon
cheer as he stepped forward to address the au-
dience, and it was some moments before the
enthusiasm subsided so that his voice could be
heard
Mr. Banks commenced by referring to the
loss the city had sustained, and said that who
ever should set before the people of Portland
the true principles upon which the government
is founded, would contribute to the restoration
of the city as part of a more prosperous ma
tion. I have desire, he said, to assist in the
reelection of the present member of Congress
from this district. have known him as one of
the most loyal, industrious, attentive and every
way worthy members of the present House of
Representatives. (Cheers) desire to say
word also for your gallant candidate for Gov
ernor. His election is foregone conclusion,
(cheers), and in electing him you not only hon.
or him but yourselves 1t is the privilege of
Maine to give the first vote in the canvass of
this year. This is no small privilege. 1t is no
small privilege to open the battle and lead the
army to victory. Every vote thrown for these
candidates will be given for the maintenance
of the government of our fathers
The issue presented to the people of the
country at this time is one of the simplest and
most easily understood that has ever been pre-
sented to them. There are no minute aues-
tions OF political economy to be discussed
There are no perplexing questions respecting
the effect of legislation upon the material in
terests of the country. The issue is simply
this: Whether the political power of this
country shall be entrusted to the hands
of its friends or surrendered to its en-
emies. .rae
Mr.. Banks declined to be drawn aside from
this main issue. Other speakers, he said, con-
sidered other questions-the right of the negro
to vote, the right OF representation, whether
the principles of our government shall be or
have been changed. The one important mat
ter now is to decide whether the power of the
government is to remain in the hands of its
friends or pass to its enemies.
The gentleman from Maryland, who spoke
here last Saturday night, and his friends say, in
word, that the policy of Mr. Lincoln is their
policy, and that ours is different policy That
IS not true. MIR. Lincoln, in my opinion, in civ
il and political matters was the wisest man of
his time Not that he possessed all the qualifi-
cations of great leader; undoubtedly he was
easily influenced by his friends, yet in many
respects he was certainly the wisest man of his
time. AT the close of the war, he wanted to
establish government ir, some one of the in
surgent States, which sh ould be satisfactory to
the people of that State and satisfactory to the
loyal people of the United States, and serve as
model for the reorganization of the other
States in rebellion. The experiment of Mr..
Lincoln-u unfortunately for the country-was
not completed at the time of his death. 1t is
that misfortune which we are to repair at this
| election. The experiment. was begun in Louis
lana, Arkansas and Tennessee. In all these
States, at his death, no man had any political
power, who had been engaged, of his own free
Will in rebellion. As soon as Mr.. Lincoln
died, the present policy was inaugurated, and
| now no man who was not engaged in rebellion
! enjoys any consideration in Louisiana or Ar