The Portland daily press., 1868-09-23

1.-THE following letter, giving an account of
very spirited and creditabe demonstration
would have appeared before; but an extraor-
dinary pressure of other matter has compelled
us to defer it,
Closing of the Campaign.
Procession - Houses GorqeOusly Iluni-
nated-Gray Corner in Blaze!
GRAY, Sept. IS, 1868.
To the Editor of the Press:
Not being of the same opinion as our Dem
ocratic fellow citizens, who esteem their east
gains in this town and Scarboro' as harbin-
gers of victory to the Democracy in November,
we Republicans OF Gray have note of JOY to
add to the noble paan resounding through
out the land. Looking beyond our own little
town, where the political Vaccinations of
demagogues have achieved a victory, we send
forth the shout,-Hurrah for Chamberlain
Honor to old Maine!
Having saved our strength for celebrations
after election weakness, by the way, cf
which Democrats are never guilty-the Re
publican forces were out en- masse last night,
and large concOurse OF stair women and
brave men" thronged our streets.
Not boasting Grant Club, Company of
Tanners" or other organizations which
could readily be brought into service, an i'm
promptu torchlight procession was fol med
OF citizens, numbering seventy-fve, who con-
Quoted themselves with all the soldierly bear
ing of old trainers Preceded by an excellent
band of music which discoursed lively and
soul stirring strains adding much to the fes-
tivity of the occasion, they made a fine and
brilliant appearance and were enthusiastical-
ly cheered upon their route. Our farmers
wives and daughters, flung out their snowy
handkerchiefs and waved them with an euer-
gy and will which showed their hearts were
with the noble cause.
The houses of Republicans at the village
were all lighted brilliantly and many Of the
illuminations were exceedingly fine. Notices,
emblems, and banners were proiusely display
ed. Our space will not allow us to particu-
larize as we might wish, but one thing is GER
tain, Gray never saw itself in such a light be-
fore.
A national salute, fired by W. FL. Bigelow,
ESQ.,, in charge of the Arsenal at Portland,
must have shaken the very foundation stones
of every Democratic habitation for miles
around. Sure it is that the ''natives" never
heard such sound ''under their own vine
and tree"
After marching through all our streets,
the procession, followed by a large crowd, en-
tered Lovejoys hall where scene of gayety
commenced which was kept up till the ''wee
sma' hours" A fine supper, served in the
best style of mine host Lovejoy, to whose
ability as caterer no praise is necessary, was
by no means the least matter on the pro-
gramme. Arrangements had been made for
speeches, toasts and the like, but finding a
few Democrats among our number, it was
given up, as no one had the least desire to
aIouse unpleasant feelings on the part of any.
Blind and deaf as the Democratic party is,
the blazing torches, rockets and illuminations
and the laundering cannon could not but be
seen and heard and the honest portion of
that party was forced to admit that it was a
| splendid affair.
| A political party is never apt to give its an
| tagonist more than its due allowance oil
praise, but we are willing to accept the YER
dict of well known Democrat who stood
near us, that "this is the greatest time ever
known in Gray"
| Already five young men who did not vote
with us at this election, have expressed de-
termination to vote for Grant in November
6