The Portland daily press., 1872-06-08

never swerved in its integrity to the Union
(Cheers.)
A. A Strout. Esq, being called upon, said
40 not feel at liberty to decline to add my
voice to the general congratulations that greets
the noble work of the Philadelphia Convention
Ihe spectacle is presented of great party
rich In historic memories-that has upheld
through five long years of blood and fire the
national flag and preserved unsullied the ma
tional honor, that since the close of the war has
in great measure reconstructed and rearranged
society distracted by civil war, sustained the
national credit and opened up new paths of
greatness to the nation with uninimity never
before equalled, presenting as candidate for
the Presidency man whose fame as a military
leader, as wise statesman and as an honest
man no SANDER can sully and diminish. To his
election is opposed substantially the sDemo-
cratic PATHFINDER new name. tits said that
the Democratic party is dead. If this is so,
said Mr.. s., I think the remark of the sailor,
who, seeing an inscription upon tombstone of
''Though dead still Ive," said "Well, if was
dead would own it," would apply to them.
1t would become them better to own up their
defunct condition rather than simulate life
they do not have by parading about in the white
hot and ghostly habiliments of Greeleyisn.
The man you have selected as standard bearer
needs no eulogy at my hands. His name and
fame has become historic. As well said by
Gerrit Smith, he is the third Savior of his coun-
try. In view of his pre-eminent service it is i'm
vain for Mr.. Sumner, standing in his place in
the Senate, at time when he supposed Gen.
Grant had no opportunity to answer, to charge
our President with incapacity and Casarlsm
The people will answer for him in November
Caesar, at the head of his legions, marched
against his national city and subverting her
constitution and laws, established upon the
ruins of her institutions q despOtism. Grant,
at the close of the war, idolized by an army of
half million of soldiers, laid dow a his vctori-
GUS sword and as a citizen took upon himself
the trust of executing the laws passed by the
representatives of the republic.
LII this is C8sarsm let rs have more of it,
As proof of this estimation in which the great
President held the services of Gen. Grant, and
OF the modest and unpretentiOus spirit of the
man now assailen as an egolist and despot,
Mr.. S. read the remarks of President Lincoln
and the reply of Gen. Grant on March 8, 1864,
when, as recognition of the distinguished SER
vices of the great Captain and the confidence of
the nation in his abilities, he was handed his
commission as Lieut.. General of the armies of
the United States And SO said Mr. s. in the
language of President Lincoln: 1 say, GAS the
country herein trusts Gen. Grant, so under God
it will sustain him. Mr. Sumner has said
Gen. Grant twas first in war;" the splendid
record of his administration shows him to be
first in peace" and unless Lam much mistak-
en-, Mr.. Greeley and the Democratic party in
November next will find him "the first in the
hearts of his countrymen.'
Mr. s. closed by predicting splendid victory
in November.
The chairman congratulated the Republicans
of Portland upon the grand success of the first
meeting of the campaign and declared the
meeting adjourned. 1t was then almost II
o'clock. '.