The Portland daily press., 1876-08-24
THE BIDDEFORD RALLY.
An Imposing Republican DE.
mOMStratiOn.
TOrchlights, Fireworks, Examinations
and Speeches.

The opening Republican rally of the cam.
paign at Biddeford, last evening, was grand
success. Immense throngs of people filled the
streets from an early hour in the evening till
the close of the speaking, and there were
abundant manifestations of a determination TO
labor for the success of the whole Republican
ticket
The Republicans of this city, fourteeen car
loads of them on one railroad and two on the
other, went out and assisted. The campaien
companies turned out three hundred men in mi
forms. and Chambers baud and the drum corps
accompanied them. At the Biddeford station
they were received by the Biddeford companies
one hundred and fifty strong Torches were
lighted, the line formed and to the music of
Chandlers and the French Institute bands, the
line OF march was taken up through the princi-
pal streets OF Biddeford. All along the route
crowds thronged the sidewalks, the door steps
and frequently cheered the procession. Many
houses were illuminated, and in some cases
very tastefully decorated. The streets were as
light as day with the CLEAN of torchights and
fireworks. Four flags bearing the names of
Hayes and Wheeler were thrown out amid en-
thusiastic cheers and salute from the Republi
can artillery. The line of march extended
through the principal streets of the city,
the Democratic strongholds being avoided on
account of fear of brickbats, Republican
procession of the night before having been
assailed with these favorite Democratic argu-
ments. As it was member of one of the
Portland companies was struck by one of these
missiles and knocked down. The mscreant
who threw it was not detected but he will be
found at the polls in September voting for
Tilden and reform.
After marching nearly two hours the pro-
cession. halted in City Square and meeting
was organized with Capt. James NJ. Andrews
as President The Square was densely packed
and there must have been 5000 people there.
The speaking was from the Biddeford House
balcony. After music by Chandler's Band,
Capt. Andrews introduced as the first speaker
the Hon. Thomas B. Reed, who was received
with much enthusiasm. Mr.. Reed proceeded
to show up the hollowness of the pretensions of
the Democratic party and especially its leaders
in very vigorous and effective manner. A
squad of Democrats had planted themselves
beneath the balcony and an uncomplmentary
alluson to the Hon. John Morrissey called out
from them many expressions of dissatisfaction
They had nothing to say in defence Of the 9TH
er Democratic leaders, but in Mr.. Morrissey
they recognized friend and brother, and drew
largely on their street vocabulary for epithets
with which to denounces his "traducer' Mr..
Reeds closing remarks were addressed particu-
larry to this portion of his audience. So long, he
said as there is ignorance and crime in the land
and men 60 to meetings to break them up, it will
be necessary for the Republicans to fight the
Democratic party. At the close three cheers
were called for for Mr.. Reed and given with
will
Hon. Warren Ell. Vinton of Gray, followed,
but owing to the lateness of the hour his re-
marks were very brief. He urged all Republi-
cans to work for the whole ticket, and to turn
out and rout the enemy at the polls in Septem-
Der. Three cheers were then given for Hsyes
and Wheeler, and three for Gov. Connor and
the meeting closed.
The procession then reformed and the Port
land companies were escorted to the Eastern
depot by the Biddeford companies and arrived
here little before midnight.
The enthusiasm which characterized this de-
monstration and the one at Saco on Monday
night, point Enthusiastically to sweeping Re-
publican victory in York county in September.