The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-16
GREELEY DOWN EAST.
Journey Of the Philosopher from Portland 10 Au-
gusta-A Hearty Reception ct the Latter
city-Hudc. Flags and Firing sa-
iutes-At . Mass Mseting-1hs
- Guest Declines to Make An
other Political Speech. :.

Congressman Sweat, Captain kAtght, CnarIes b.
varney A. x. ShurtlefY and q number Of other dis
tinguished Portlanders. took an extra train for
Augusta. where the Democratic ana L&be raj Repub-
lican Convention was to be held. Probably no train
had ever hurried over the rails OF the Maine Central
at such desperate speed as that train drove.
regular excursion train containing about fourteen
cars arranged for carrying passengers. a. we'll as
Pullman's. had started two hours before with an
immense crowd, the fare having been
reduced for the occasion to one dol
lar for the round trip Of 100 miles
to Augusta and return. The track Is single
line, but was kept throughout open for the Greeley
trains and when the special got fairly out OF the
city Of Portland and into the beautiful country run
ming alongside the Androscoggtn, the engineer, &C.
ccrdng to his own statement Just opened tho valve
and let her go. Past some OF the most beautiful
spots in nature, the country homes Of Portlanders
along the edge OF the Kennebec into the edge Of the
famous lumber region, the special went numbering
at the rate OF forty miles an hOur-so fast that
Philosopher Greeley probably had his celebrated
ride with "Hank Monk" over the mountains
brought wildly to his mind.
AT FREEPoRr
small station about thirteen miles from Portland
a short stop was made, during which o fow Of en-
thusiastic persons shook hands with the Sage; but
the stop was evidently made merely for the pur-
pose Of permitting the chietain and the rest OF the
passengers to settle themselves satisfactorily In
their seats. The train passed with lightning speed
after leaving Freeport small party Of children
were observed on picket sence, waving twigs,
while near them stood carcature Of the old white
nat and coat on pole, and underneath hung
legend-"What know about Greeley bttters."
The benign Philosopher smiled blandy as he saw
1t. At Brunswick there were probably four thou-
sand people assembled. A band was playing and
flags were flying. Here the Sage ventured to the
rear platform and bowed to the crowd, who hur-
-rahed and cheered vociferousy. Some little boys
ran about yelling irreverenty at the blessed sage,
but they evidently put up to 1t by their radical
daddies, as one man remarked, ''Ths Is a devsh
black place anyhow" The demonstration, not
withstandng, was 80 hearty that Mr.. Greeley could
not refuse to make speech. and from the rear
platform he spoke as follows
LADIES AND GENrLEMEN-I should be glad II l had
time to visit this town, with Its eminent seminary
OF learning and the renowned soldier who so wor-
% S s ts emes e naE gaF%s s vs
though am not stranger to your town, doubt
less am to many of your people,. came amongyou
before. when the company which surrounded me
was fewer than 1t Is now; but am unchanged in
mind and purpose, softened somewhat, trust by
me, but still essentially the same man that was
then Notwithstanding the caricatures with which
you have been abundantly inundated. you find thst
/ still preserve something OF the human form.
thank you for this kind welcome, and will no longer
tax your attention.
Hearty cheers greeted these remarks, and roar of
laughter went up as Greeley, with his huge figure
and fine head, suggested that he still preserved
some semblance OF the human form. Finally the
train moved OF again amid renewed cheering.
Rev. J. p. Taylor, an Episcopal minister and Leon
ard Woods, late President Of BowdOin College,
joined the party at this place. At Richmond there
was more handshaking, more bands and more en-
thusasm. Here the special train overlook the
excursion train that had started two hours ahead
Oft.
AT GARDINER
still more bands and flags and still greater enthu
siasm. Here the committee from Augusta, consist
ing OF Colonel Lang Judge Rice, ex-Mayor Williams
and others, met the Sage and took him in charge.
At Halowel, another black hole, there was again
great crowd and great demonstration mixed with
O deal Of Grant talk among the crowd.
ARRIVAL AT AUGUSTA.
The next station was Augusta itself, and from
afar OF the black mass gathered at the depot was
visible Cannon were firing from the heights
across the river, banners flying in every direc-
ton, horsemen parading and bands footing in
every spot whiting two blocks of the depot.
The Philosopher, who had dofed his white over.
coat, was jammed here and there in the crowd by
those ambitious to seize his hand and 1t was only
by the utmost exertlon OF the committeeman that
he he was not taken bodily IN hand and carried to
the carriage, handsome open barouche, drawn by
four bay horses, which awaited him.
A CAvALCApE
of $50 OF the military Of Augusta escorted him, the
Brunswick Brass Band leading the way. In the car
rage with Mr.. Greeley were Charles P. KIM
ball, 9. p. Rice and Colonel Lang, while
about one hundred and fifty other carriages
followed filled with other distinguished citizens
and members of the press The route was up
Water street to State, then to Winthrop, then to
Sewall, then to State again to the State House,
wherein Governor Perham and his council
were then holding solemn conclave. Then. turn
ing, the procession passed the house of Speaker
Blanc, which was silent and closed, only
two ladies' being visible at the windows, and
went by the Augusta House, which was
handsomely decorated On the route o yourg lady
came forth from her house with a large bouquet
and presented 1t to the Philosopher in his carriage
he carried 1t gracefully and gratefully through the
rest OF the ride. The procession ended at the
elegant house OF Colonel Lang where the Phloso-
pher took q family lunch, while the Augustians
fingered about the door hoping to obtain one
glimpse OF his famous head and hat
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