Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-31
aoral aIln State Neus.
RAIN AND REPUGlICANISM.
Two Grand Meetings Yesterday.
The Camp-Fires Burn Brightly in
Spite of Much Water.
Six Eloquent Speeches, by Henry wilson,
RJohn NJ. Harlan, II. +. Butler, Fred
erick Douglass, Hannibal Hamlfn,
and James G. Blaine.
A CLEAR POLITICAL Sky.
Politics and Mud

The republicans OF the kennebec Valley
awoke yesterdaymorning to find the rain falling
and every indication Gifts continuing through
the day. On the day preceding the sky was
cloudless, the wind in the right direction for
the continuance of fair weather, and every
lover of the republican cause would fain be-
lieve that "Old Probability" generally SO
correct, had made a happy mistake this time
in predicting "areas OF rain extending over
New England on Thursday night" 1t was
clear and perfectly cloudless at midnight,
but at four o'clock yesterday m rning north
easterly rain set in, much to the disappont-
ment and sorrow of our own citizens who had
looked forward to the duties and enjoyments
Of the day with so much pleasure, and the
thousands from out Of town who had contem-
plated visit here on the interesting occasion.
There came but one story from "all the re-
gion round about" Augusta, in regard to the
living stream of people that would have
poured into the city. Farmers, mechanics.
professional men-everyb body in sympathy
with the republican cause-had made all
necessary arrangements and set their houses
in order, that they might be relieved from or
binary duty one day, and give it up entirely
to their country. Had the day been pleasant,
the sounds of busy industry on farms, III
shops or counting rooms, would have all been
hushed, as the people took up the line OF
march for the capital.
A procession of three or four hundred car
riages from Vassalboro, China, Windsor, and
Chelsea, one hundred and fifty from Winthrop
Manchester, and Wayne, seventy five from
Litchfeld, Fayette, and Readfeld, and more
than that number from Sidney, Belgrade
Rome, Vienna and Mt. Vernon, were prom
ised for the afternoon meeting, making pro-
cession five or six miles long. And then the
extra trains from Portland. Brunswick, Lew
iston, Bath Skowhegan, Kendall's Mills,
Watervile and Vassalboro, would have
brought thousands of Tanners and others to
participate in the exercises. 1t Is fair to say
that We might have expected multitude OF
between &c, 900 and $4,000 people, had the
day been pleasant.
But however hard a thing to do, the repub-
osophically, and not suffer their ardor or en-
thusiasm to dampen on account of weeping
skies or muddy streets. The fact was brought
to their minds that the rain descended upon
the just and the unjust, alike, and they could
not expect exemption from this cooling ca
lamity any more than the latter class, the
democrats. Sorrow was depicted upon the
faces of those who had made elaborate prep
arations for decorations and illumipations.
Especially did the flags and bunting, that had
been put out the day previously, have dis
couraged look as they hung wet and fabby
upon the walls of buildings or climbed col
umns and pilasters.
1t is true that our friends were somewhat
downcast but in wise discouraged, and
were disposed to make the best of things even
under the most unfavorable auspices. We
will say it to the credit of our democratic
friends that they seemed to have little SYM
pathy for their opponents. Some were
doubtless pleased, but most had sense enough
to conceal it.
But Notwithstanding the drenching rain a
good many persons from the surrounding
country came into town in the early morning
by private conveyances. Some rode fifteen
miles in the storm for the sake OF being pres
ent to hear the able men that had been an
nounced to speak. AT noon the special train
arrived from Belfast, Brooks, Skowhegan,
Fairfield, Vassaboro, Winslow, and Water
Vile, with fifteen heavily loaded cars
This was surprise to everybody, and showed
good courage on the part of the live republic
crns of those sections, to turn out in such
large numbers in a violent northeast rain
storm. The Belfast Tanners and others from
that city, numbering about 500, filled seven
cars. At Kendalrs Mills station they were
Joined by large delegation from Skowhegan,
and by the time the train reached this city it
numbered fifteen cars. Granite and MeOnian
Halls were opened and the people provided
with shelter from the storm. They were
all in good spirits, enthusiastic and orderly,
and as fine appearing body of men as can be
found anywhere.
The rain continuing to fall in torrents, the
Out-of-door meeting was OF course abandoned,
but the people assembled in Granite Hall at
two o'clock, completely filling the hall There
were but few ladies present, the audience be-
ing composed almost entirely of voters, who
we are sure will not be kept away from the
polls by reason of bad weather. The Angus
ia Band furnished acceptable music afternoon
and evening".
The meeting was called to order by w. II
Libby, Esq, who read the following list OF
officers:
President-Gen. Selden Conner of Augusta
Vice Presidents Augusta-Gen. Henry
Boynton, Geo. w. Quinby, Ira d. Sturgis, j
P. Wyman, Geo. S. Ballard, Gardiner Phil
lips.
Hallowell-J. r. Bodwell, John S. Snow.
Gardiner-James Nash, Lorenzo Clay, j
r. Richards.
Pittston-A. H. Clark.
Chelsea-Edward Blanchard.
Farmingdale-R. S. Neal.
West Gardiner-Geo. w. Blanchard.
81 C.>,t1,