The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-31
John A. Peters at City Hall.

By invitation Hon. John A Peters of Ban
gor addressed the Republicans of Portland at
City Hall last evening. Some of our good neigh
bors we expect will come out and pronounce
rhe meeting ''fizzle" and express the number
in attendance by two figures; so to crafty
them, we will confess that we have seen larger
meetings on pleasant nights. There was only
about 600 OF 700 present. and they all stayed to
hear the speaker through No; one man did
go out; he was Greeley man, and went out
with policeman.
The meeting was called to order by Col. F. N
Dow, who nominated Charles E. Jose, esq, as
chairman, in the absence of WoodburyS. Dana,
esq, who had promised to preside, but was I'M
avodably prevented from attending. Mr.. Jose
assumed the position with few good-natured
remarks, which put the audience in good
frame of mind to listen to Mr.. Peters, who was
properly introduced, and greeted with music
and applause. Mr.. Peters, after congratulate
ing his hearers upon their prompt attendance
at the close of pitiful storm, proceeded to
comment on the anomalous position of Horace
Greeley, the candidate of two parties, neither
of which wanted him, and who got upon the
platform by series of stupendous frauds The
Cincinnati Convention was a free trade conven-
ton, yet it nominated the representative of pro-
lection. To prove that Mr.. Greeley is the can
didate of the Southern Democrats, Mr.. Peters
quoted the words of Southern members of Con-
gress, and pointed to his Portland speech where
in he promised that if elected he would drive
the carpet-aaggers ont of the South and restore
the administration of the affairs of the States
to the rebels. Mr.. Greeley has never denied
the statement made in his Carmichael letter
that he was in favor of pensioning the rebel
soldiers. Further references were made to Mr.
Greeley's career in support of his position In
passing, Mr.. Peters replied 10 Mr. Trumbulps
recent assertion that the late Senator Fessen-
den, if alive, would now be supporter of Mr.
Greeley, by stating that he had repeatedly heard
Mr.. Fessenden in Washington, declare that he
had no confidencein Mr.. Greeley, regarding him
as the most unsafe and unreliable man in the
country.
Mr.. Peters then put Mr. Greeley on the wit
ness stand to testify to the capacity of General
Grant, and produced from the Tribune album
dant testimonials of the Presidents character.
Mr.. Trumbull's charges against Secretary
Robson received some attention from the
SptdhOT. nc ucCldIcu ViC iCPOio VI ehO
committee generating the Secretary from
charges of improper and fraudulent practices
was signed by every member. AS regards the
Secor claims, which Mr.. Trumbull nursed so
lovingly, Mr. Robson has in his possession a
letter urging him to pay these claims, signed by
Horace Greelcv! The claim for the value of the
steamer Governor was delayed on account of
the death of some parties interested. The de-
mand was an honest one and had never been
paid. The man who urged it through was Bion
Bradbury of Portland. Now, said the speaker,
let us examine Mr.. Trumbull. introduced an
order into the House to continue the salary of
Hon. Ashur Ware after his retirement on the
same terms as are accorded by law to other
members of the United States Courts. That
bill went to Mr.. TrumbulPs committee and
have never been able to get it from him, Why
have not these opponents of Gen. Grant discov-
cred before now that his election is wrong.
What should make my friend Enoeh Knight,
who prints a secular newspaper every Sunday
morning, Democrat? A voice-Principle
and humanity.] Speaker-Yes; Horace Gree
lev and Democracy If it was principle and
humanity, how is it that after he was taken up
and put through by the Republicans last winter
he has lust got hold of this principle and hui
manity? Here the man in the crowd who had
lust interrupted rose in his seat, and began in
an excited manner to make some sort OF reply.
The Mayor ordered him to sit down, but the
man refused, and the Mayor directed police
man to remove him. Mr.. Peters-No, no, let
him be; if you put out every Democrat who
creates a disturbance in Republican meeting,
we should do but little else every evening. Inc
man was taken out by an officer and quiet re-
storedl Mr. Peters resumed. Mr.. Farms
worth, who has been travelling about Maine,
started with the largest majority that any Con-
gresham ever had. He spoke and worked for
Grant; but last year he failed of a nomination
| and became a sore-head. Tumbull opposes
Grant in hope of selfaggrandzement After
taking some more Tribune testimony on the
achievements of the Republican party, Mr..
Peters explained the provisions of the "bayo-
| net law" 1t is nothing more or less than le-
| qalizing what has been customary in New Eng
land for years-putting one man of each party
| at the ballot boxes whenever members of Con-
press are to be elected, as witness of the nteg-
rtv of the ballot and to secure the rights of the
| blacks as well as the whites Beck and others
of Kentucky, are so incensed that they propose
to change the Constitution so that the State
elections may be held at different time from
the national elections, and there shall be no
witnesses of what they do The Ku-klux law
of Congress was explained to be only means
of protection for the negro which the local law
denies. Horace Greeley and his party oppose
these laws If we don't enforce the constitution
al amendments the South will not, and what
will become of the negro? Will you trust this
party with power? Will you trust the masters
again with their slaves? Under the old system
the general government was against the slave;
now he looks to it for his protection. The ne
groes are illiterate; they not allowed to col
| lect together and discuss matters, but they are