The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-09-07
LET THERE BE A GRAND TURNOUT.

Short and telling speeches may be expected
from the various speakers whose names APP
pear elsewhere.
LET THERE BE GRAND TURNOUT!
The American Missionary Association.
Pursuant to letters missive from the Plymouth
Church of this city, pastors and delegates from
Congregational churches in this vicinity, met
in the audience room of said church at P. NJ.
yesterday, to confer in reference to the interests
of the Association. No formal organization
was effected, but the pastor of Plymouth
Church invited Rev. G. j. Pierce to offer prayer,
and introduced Rev. Lewis Grout, who spoke of
the condition of the four and a half million
freedmen whom this Society aims to reach
After fifteen years missionary experience in
Africa, he found the blacks at the South hum
bred fold worse off than those abroad, SO far as
their physical condition and means of improve
ment are concerned. This is an important
crisis, and we must either go forward or lose
the fruits of ten past years of labor. Other
agencies like the Freedmen's Bureau are with
drawn, and this accredited agent of the Con-
gregational churches deserves their aid and CO.
operation.
Rev. c. L. Woodwork then spoke of the ex-
tent of the field: one State, Texas, is eight
times as large as Maine and thirty three times
Massachusetts, {; the restitution of the field
both armies during the war were like locusts,
and the proportion of the valuation of the
South to the rest of the Union had fallen from
one-third to one-eleventh; the character of the
people; ignorance lust, laziness, and every ev-
cry abomination grew up under the slave sys-
tenn. Finally, the obstacles to the Society's
work were the hate and prejudice encountered,
poverty and indifference, absence of free
schools, and lack of funds Instead of $50
teachers, 1000 might be had, if funds were
forthcoming.
Rev. j. T. Ford, pastor of the Plymouth
Church, Charleston, S. c., made statement of
the self-denial and liberality of the colored
people of his city, Ten church buildings have
been erected. His church the past three years,
poor and small though it is, has averaged about
$1,000. year, raised little by little Schools are
improving. Diligence in labor is shown and
small bank deposits are made. Religious wor-
ship is not now disturbed as once by shouts and
bowling. Students have gone to Howard Uni
versity from these congregations.
The afternoon session was closed with prayer
by Rev. S. II. Merrill, and benediction by Rev.
E. A. Harlow. There were about sixty or sew
enty present, it having been understood that
this was merely business session, instead of a
public gathering.
In the evening an audience somewhat larger
met at $50 o'clock. Devotional exercises were
conducted by Rev. S. H. Merrill. Rev. Mr.
Circuit then spoke of the adaptation of the
black race of the South to the work of the
evangelization of Africa by their tropical con-
stitution, their hopefulnesS, social habits, ca
pacity for speech and song, with their educa-
tonal military and political training received
here.
Rev. Mr., Strictly, of New York, a Secretary
of the Association, followed. Both political
parties now are seeking the suffrages of the
negro. Victims of cruelty are now subjects of
t1attery. Education alone will prevent them
from becoming tools of demagogues. Presby-
terlans have given the past year little over
So, 900 for the work in the South, the Method
lists and Baptists little less Now that the
North has separated the bondman and MASTER
The Romish hierarchy is busy in preparing her
letters for the freedman. Shall one form of
serfdom be exchanged for another? Let us an
swer it as Christians and patriots.
Rev. Secretary Woodwork said in closing,
that $500 teachers had taught $50, 900 pupils
Some $50 schools have been established, and
5000 pupils have become teachers. Seven collie
giate and three theological schools are started,
and so churches planted
The next of the twelve proposed conventions
il, to be held at Gorham.
Flag Raising at Cold Kiln Corner.
A rousing Grant and Wilson meeting and
flag raising occurred last evening at Coal Kiln
Corner, Scarborough The presence the
Portland Band added to the enjoyment. Early
in the evening an overcast sky, which, with the
flag raising at neighoring corner, rendered it
doubtful if large crowd could be gathered.
But by the time the speakers arrived the audi
ence numbered five or six hundred. After
furling of flag amidst cheers the meeting was
called to order by Gardner NJ Parker, ESQ.,, on
whose nomination the following list of officers
were chosen: F. w. Butler, President; Vice
Presidents, Stephen L. Waterhouse Robert
Mclaughlin, John Libby, 4th, VIM. Meserve
John M. Parker, Jas. G.. Tapley, John c.
Curtis, Eli L. Waterhouse, Chas. Moulton. H.
Meserve, Luther Libby; Secretaries, Chas w.
Deering, w. E. Strout. Stirring and effective
speeches were made by Percival Bonney, Esq,
Hon. j. H. Drummond, Col Geo. w. Parker of
interspersed with spirited music by the Port
land Band. The audience gave excellent at
tention to the speeches. The speakers, band
and others were served bountiful supper at
the residence of f. w. Butler, Esq. The meet
ing was one of the best of the campaign
Doors AND SADDLES. THE first reunion
of the First Maine and First d. C. Cavalry,
will be held on Thursday, Sept Goth, at Au-
gusta.
A business meeting will be held in Granite
Hall at p. M, when = permanent regimental
organization will be formed; public meeting at
the same place at 30 p. M, where an Grafton
will be delivered by prominent oficer of the
regiment, after which the association and in
vited guests will proceed to Meonian Hall and
partake of banquet provided by the citizens
of Augusta.
The Maine Central railroad has reduced its
fares to half price. Members will purchase the
regular ticket to Augusta and the committee
will furnish them with free return tickets.
All persons friendly to the old regiment are
requested to help the cause by giving publicity
to the call
CoRRECTIoN.-In our report of Gov. Wood
fords speech at City Hall on Thursday eve
ming, September 9Th, we Inadvertently made
him say, when speaking of President Grants
alleged cruelty towards the South, ''Cruel
Somebody ought to be. There are half = mill
ion northern graves on southern soil, Sc,
&C." What Gov. Woodford did say was sub
stantially as follows:
''Cruel? Nay No word of hate has passed
his lips. No thought of bitterness has found
Judgment in his breast. But if there has been
and is no anger in the northern heart, still
somewhere in this land there should be peni-
tence and sorrow Somebody should sit in
sackcloth and ashes. For there are halt mil
lion of nothern graves on southern soil, &C.,
Sc
HoUsEKEEPERs who desire the choicest
brands of flour and the best groceries at the
lowest prices, should call on w. L. Wilson g.
Co., corner of Exchange and Federal streets.
NOMINATION. S. Smart was nomi-
mated by the Den ocrats of Cape Elizabeth as
their candidate for Representative to the Leg
islature.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
.