Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-24
Grand Republican Ratification
Meeting.

rostrum. Mr.. Rice in opening the meeting
paid high tribute to President Grant and
Senator Wilson, the candidates of the Repub-
lican party, and claimed that had not Grant
been nominated at Philadelphia, another
party would have nominated and elected him.
The more his record had been investigated,
the more brilliantly it shone, and his COM
panion on the ticket was a worthy example of
Americanstatesmanship starting in the world
tages for culture.
Judge Hoar was first introduced, and
ltuded the cand d ,tes for their well earned dis
tinction in the lines of war and politics. In
his allusion to Senator Sumner he audience
were disposed to hiss, but were checked by
the speaker before his sentence was COM
plete. His expression was only Of regret at
the course his friend had taken and the
hope that he would soon realize the false
position he had taken, for his speech of in
yective had fallen as lead upon the public
ear, as the leader of democratic newspaper.
The people of Massachusetts knew Grant and
all attacks upon him would be repealed in
their minds as they read them. He gave his
testimony that while in the cabinet no per-
sonal consideration ever weighed in the ex-
pressed sentiments of the President when the
pnbic good was at stake. His suggestions
were directly to the point upon all occasions,
and when the speaker read Summers speech
he could not help thinking that he was talk
ing about some other person on the questions
of civil rights and the public credit. Presi-
dent Grant had been true to his country $
honor, his conciliators policy towards the
Indian tribes, his wise selections of incum-
bents of important governmental positions in
spite of opposing influences. were set forth in
eloquent terms, and Mr. IIoar asserted that
the greatest obstruction Grant had met with
in his administration was inherited from the
johnson dynasty. Mr.. Greeley was the first
instance in Mr.. Ioar's recollection of a can
didate in search of a party.
Gen. Woodford of New York, in a string
speech, predicted that when. Greeley was
whipped there would be no more democracy
He defended Grants appointment and in
stanced his course in the Louisiana election,
when Jadge Dent, his brother-in-lay, was
candidate as proof that relationship did not
stand between him and his party or country.
His aid to Congress in reducing taxation
and the national debt, and his general course
in an Office he did not seek. was his best rec
concentration for second term
Gov. Harvey spoke of party relations, and
predicted that Kansas would be carried TWEEN
ty thousand majority for the republican tick
ct.
Gov. Geary spoke the greetings of the re-
pubiicans of Pennsylvania to their brothers
in Massachusetts, and joined hands with them
in completing the great mission of the party,
pledging Pennsylvania for thirty thousand
aiority.
In response to loud call General Butler
stepped forward, and was cheered as the next
governor. He disclaimed any other bust
ness for the evening than the election of
President and Vice President, as continu-
alton of the campaign begun on the 18th of
April, lSGl. The old democratic party that
stood by the laboring men was 'done. gone,
dead" sster a short review of its decline
General Butler proceeded to discuss the only
obstruction in the way of the Greeley party,
which depended on the Baltimore nomina-
ton, the unwilling support of northern dem
ocrats, and the men who had been given the
ballot box they had lost by the cartridge box !;
but Greeley would never be nominated at
Baltimore. The angel Gabriel could not be
elected on such a ticket. The republican
party in spite of talk was united, and its
ranks were unbroken. Supported by the
rebel element, Greeley would stand no chance
in the Southern States, for the honest dem
ocrats there had had enough of such leader
ship, and are not prepared to support re-
publican such as Cincinnati presented. lie
(Butler) had a particular affection for the
men who represented Massachusetts, at Gin
cinnati for they were opposed to him. Last
fall he (Butler) was going to split the party
then. These gentlemen had now become too
virtuous to stay in il. Summers speech so
disgusted the people of the country that they
insisted on nominating his colleague for Vice
President as a rebuke to him. If the repub-
lican party could not beat party that had
experienced two bolts, or "a bolt in the sec
ond degree" it deserved TO de-" for in his
belief the victory was easy to be gained. He
explained why lie did not go to Philadelphia,
by saying that the controversy about the en-
forcement act compelled his remaining in
Washington to secure fair election for
whoever was nominated. The civil service
reform in General Buffers opinion was a
hambug. 1t meant that men who were at
school while their brothers. were fighting,
were to pass examination in mathematics for
a permanent position, while the President
was TO serve but one term. He believed in
turning the Offices inside out every four years.
Did you ever know, he asked, new bank
cashier to be defaulter? No, they are the
Old ones who have gained the confidence OF
their companies who steal. The offices
would be better conducted by frequent change.
The General claimed to be an old fashioned
democrat, and was by no means in favor OF
an aristoeracy of office-holders. He called
upon the laboring men to answer if they ever
got their rights from any other than Grant,
administration. party that had worked it.
self up honestly from a small beginning ir
favor Of equal rights to their laborers as wei
as their fellows, was not to be killed by
combination of the wrecked elements of de.
funct party of the- few disgruntled republi
cans. He knew ofWuskets and uniforms tina
would be taken down and go on again in de.
fence of the party of equality and progress
and the country would rise in her right under
the continued rule of the party till its work
was done. lie closed by calling tor thre,
cheers for the republican party, which wer,
heartily given.
Hon, Henry Wilson was brought into tn,
hall at late hour by a committee specially
delegated to seek and invite him. Thre,
cheers were given for the candidate for tht
Wee Presidency, and he happily responded
urging republicans to stand true to thei
grand old standard. The proposed Baltimor,
coalition, he said meant going to the demo
Gratis, and nothing else therefore it was tn,