Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-31

/ 1Or an aQJOurnmenI 10 evening.
Persons from out of town accepted an in.
vitaton to partake of a bountiful collation.
provided at republican headquarters.
In THE EVENING,
Granite Hall was filled completely at an
early hour, by highly intelligent audience,
whom the Augusta Band entertained with
good music until the speakers appeared.
There was hardly any spare standing room
even in til, hall, SO densely was it filled by
the people who in spite Of the rain had come
hither 10 listen. At about quarter past eight
Senator Wilson, Gen. Butler and Frederick
Douglass appeared upon the platform and
were greeted with loud and long prolonged
cheering
Gen. Conner, President of the day, well
coined the distinguished gentlemen, and in
troduced, without preliminaries, Gen. b. F.
Butler, who was speaking at the time the at.
ternoon meeting adjourned. The General
then addressed the large audience in a most
vigorous, happy and eloquent manner. His
points were all well taken, and his conclu-
sions irresistible. He gave vivid account
OF the ku klux Khan organization of the
South and read unimpeachable testimony to
prove the fearful deeds of its members N
Union men, women and negroes. He said he
press upon the people the enornity Of that
organization and as help he had procured
from judge in South Carolina uniform of
member who, happily, is now in the Albany
penitentiary.
While he was speaking of these fearful out
| RACES he had come in view Of the audience a
gentleman clothed in this hideous suit. 1t
consists of a long, black, cambria domino,
with red nose and horns, and fantastic de-
vices, the face covered and holes for the eyes.
Its exhibition excited considerable sensation
We can in our limited space give no just
report of Gen. Buffers magnificent speech
If he ever made a more powerful and elo
quent one, it certainly could not have been
better received by his auditors. He was re-
peatedly applauded, and sat down after speak
ing one hour and fifteen minutes.
As Gen. Butler closed Gen. Conner intro
duced Frederick Douglass, who was very
cordially welcomed. He spoke of the beau
tiful island of San Domingo, and said one Of
the crimes charged against President Grant
was an effort to destroy the nationality of the
people of that island. and he proceeded to de-
fend this phaze of Pres. Grants policy; es-
pecially would he defend the President
| against any attempt to wrong the people Of
that island; the speaker was of commits
sion sent out to find the condition of the peo-
almost a unit in favor of coming into the
American Union,-there was no doubt about
it. The President has been represented as
striking down nationality; the people Of
San Domingo feel that they are too small for
a nation; their statesmen feel this and they
saw no government that promised them SO
much freedom and happiness as that of the
United States. ''San Domingo" said he,
Sought the alliance, and l think she was
wise" Gen. Grant with the clear sight of
statesman, did what was best; II think we
have not stood by Gen. Grant in
this matter as we ought; the head
and front of the Presidents offend
ing is this San Domingo and we-Uncle
Sam-are capable of attending to our own
aft IRIS, and if third party interferes it NAV
get hurt. He would leave it to lawyers
whether or not such action is unlawful. The
speaker referred to Mr.. Summers allegation
that the President insulted him because he
did not invite him (Douglass) to dinner; he
showed the foolishness of the charge. "There
is no truth in tt was not there. When did
democratic President invite a niger man
to dine with him?" There are two parties
Il decide, my race decide, that the party that
saved the Union and gave liberty to the slave
is the only party entitled to the support of the
levers of Liberty and equality"
plause. In response to loud calls, Senator
Hamlin came forward, and received a fatter.
ing reception. He said everywhere the fires
of republicanism are burning brightly. He
made stirring. vigorous speech, and stepped
aside amid cries to Go on
In response to emphatic, persistent calls,
Speaker Blaine stepped forward. Three
hearty cheers were given him, the audience
rising. He repealed effectually the base in
situation of Trumbull that the Speaker of
the House was at fault in selecting the COM
mittee he did in the case of Secretary Robe
son. Three-a ma ority of the committee
are Greedy men, which fact explodes all of
Trumbull's vaporing in regard to the matter.
MIR. Blaine spoke for about ten minutes with
much vigor and effect and closed in spite of
emphatic appeals to go on.
At about 10 80 the meeting adjourned.
Three lusty cheers were given for Grant and
Wilson, and the large concourse filed from
the hall, feeling that the days meetings had
been grand successes, in spite of the I'M
toward weather.
1t had been arranged for special trains to
run from Portland, Lewiston, Bath and Show
hogan to bring the Tanners organizations of
those and the intermediate places to join with
the Augusta companies in grand torch-light
demonstration in the evening, but the storm
prevented, and what would otherwise have
been one of the most brilliant and imposing
affairs ever witnessed within the borders of
our State had to be postponed. Extensive
and elaborate preparations had been made by
hundreds of our citizens to illuminate and
decorate their residences for the occasion,
and this part of the days programme had also
to be omitted. The entire out-of-door part
of the demonstration as marked out was rem
dered impossible. The large and excellent
platform erected for the speakers near the
Augusta House stood lonely and dripping all
day long; the rain poured monotoHously from
early morning until late at night, hardly ever
slackening in the least. The clerk of the
weather meant business, and had plenty OF
water to carry it on with, and the great won
der is that ybody at all ventured from theiI
homes amid such weather. The people o.
our city and vicinity are not alone in lament
ing the unavoidable postponement of the
evening ceremonies, but thousands in othel