Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-15
HORACE GREELEY TN PORT
LAND.
He Makes a Speech.

Portland, II. The train with Mr.. Greeley
on board LEI, Gorham, y. H., at 1915. At
Bethel Greeley appeared upon the platform.
At South Paris and Mechanic Falls he was
greeted by crowds Of people. At Yarmouth
he was welcomed with salutes and decorations
and appeared on the platform amid much en-
thusiasm. At Cumberland station he was
welcomed with cheers by the crowd assem-
bled.
The train arrived at Portland promptly at
2.40. A large crowd was assembled in the
depot, and the train entered amidst a salvo
of artillery and "TIail to the Chief by the
band. Mr.. Greeley and party were taken
into the reception room and thence in car
riages to City Hall.
The party arrived at City Hall at 2 Is.
The hall was completely filled. Mr.. Greeley
assembled the platform accompanied by the
committee, and was greeted with enthusiastic
applause.
After music by O'Connors Boston Band
and quiet had been restored, Mr.. Greeley was
introduced by Hon. L. d. NJ Sweet of the
was greeted with renewed applause, and
spoke as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Ladies and Gentlemen
1t is certainly true that throughout the course
of my life, as far as l have been connected
with public affairs, l have struggled with such
capacity as God has given me, for tirst-im-
partial and universal liberty second-for the
unity and greatness OF our common country;
| ,,It l,i ,l nj l,r, H.. IL,
former end was attained for early and hearty
reconciliation and peace among our country
men. For these great ends | have struggled
and l hope the issue of the third is not doubt
full. | thoroughly comprehend that no per-
sonal consideration has drawn this vast as
sembly together Other higher and grander
considerations have collected you around me
to-day. 1t is a part of the unwritten law of
our country that candidate for President
may not make speeches in vindication and
commentator Of the principles whereupon
he is supported, the measures which his cleo
ton is intended to promote; though a candi-
date for Vice President is under no such in
hilation. | do no merely acquiesce in this
restriction. l recognize and affirm its pro-
priety. The temptation to misreport and
misrepresent candidate for the higher posts
is so great, the means of circulating such per-
nicious perversons among people who never
see a word of their retutation, are so vast,
that candidate has no moral right to sub
ject his friends to the perls he must brave if
not unite, by taking u part in the canvass.
Yes, there is a truth to be uttered in behalf
of those who have placed me before the
American people in my present attitude,
which does them such honor that claim the
privilege of stating it here and now. This is
the truth-No person has ever yet made the
fact that he proposed to support or actually
did support my nomination, whether at Gin
cinnati, at Baltimore, or in the action which
resulted in sending delegates to either con-
ventlon, the basis of n claim for office at my
hands. No one who favored my nomination
before either convention or at either conven-
ton, has sought office at my hands, either for
himself or any one else; nor has any one sug-
gested to me that | might strengthen myself
as a candidate by promising to appoint any
one to any important Office whatever. In a
we're few instances, less than dozen, am
sure certain of the smaller fry of politicians.
have since my double nomination limited to
me by letter that might increase my chances
Of election by promising post office or some
such place to my volunteer correspondents
respectively. l have not usually responded
to these overtures, but | now give a general
notice that should | be elected will consider
the claims of these untimelv asprants after
those Of the more modest and reticent shall
have bGen fully satisfied. In two or three
instances have been asked to say whether
would or would not, if elected, confEe my
appointments to republicans. | answer these
by pointing to the plank of the Cincinnati
platform, wherein all who concur in
the principles therein set forth are cordially