Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-24
GRAND OPENING MEETING
Granite Hall CroWde /
TIE PEOPLE ENTHUSIASTIC AND
WIDE.AW AXE.
EiogucE; and Candid Speech by Hon
John A. Kasson, of Iowa.

held by the republicans at Granite Hall, last even
ing, the hall being crowed an hour previous to
the time announced Tor tie opening, by as an in
tell cent an audience of ladies and gentlemen as
has assembled in Augusta for years. Without
any excitement or extraordinary effort at rallying,
fifteen hundred of our people came together to
listen to the discussion of the issues pending in
the present contest showing that the people are
aroused fully and are in sympathy with the
active communities throughout the state that
are buckliDg on their armor for the fray.
Previous to the speaking, the Augusta Band
played some fine selections, which were well re-
ccved by the audience.
OIville ID. Baker, Esq, called the meeting to
or ier and rem arked that his fellow citizens had
net to take sweet counsel with an entrusted
leader Of the republican party, gentleman from
that 10y al State in the far West that is always in
the habit of rolling up a republican majority Of
40 900; the State that at Cincinnati through
seven successive ballotings, voted for James &.
Blaine Applause]. Maine is not insenslble of
the honor as The large audience at the Capital
cry will attest. He then introduced Hon. John
\. kasson of Iowa, who was enthusiastically re-
Ceved.
Mr. Kasson acknowledged the compliment. He
glad TO speak to the citizens Of Mr. Blaine s
city, on occasion that ought to possess an in
tcIest to all men. He asked why it is Il at the
democratic party maintains its organ cation, keep
ing up useless and unsuccessful fight. In 1860
the rel ubllcan party met the democratic patty
and presented such a contrast to them that
they u pudiated the democratic party, and showed
their preferences to the party who were out,poken
for humanity and equality OF all men. In 1864
we went INTO the contest against slavery, and we
trlum uhed. The same year the democratic party
promo need the war failure, and they were
beaten. la 1868 they opposed the reconciliation
policy of the republican patty, and again they
were routed This WAS repeated IN 1877, the
people sa, ing that the patty that fought against
Liberty could not name man to place at the head
Of the government.
Now you met with this same party that ia
against progress and civilization. But there Is on
l. one way in when can secui the fruits oil the
war-ktep the government in the hands OF its
friends. He claimed that there would be danger
if the democratic party should again come into
power. They are Organizing TO deprive men OF
their IL hts at the South notify ing laboreis that
they would be discharged unless they vote the
democratic ticket. We don't have faith in polit-
zeal leaders who apologize for Hamburg massa
Cres, and that nominate men of the Wade lamp
ton stamp as their candidates for Governor
The democrats clain that the republicans have
been very eXtrayagant in administering the gov
ernment, and that there is now need of reform
The speaker showed from the official record that
the Losses in collection Of customs and other col
leCtons were less under Grants administi alton
than under the administration of any President
:
democratic charge totally false. The late House
OF Representatives had spent their time in institu
ting Investigations, summoning witnesses at large
expense from every quarter OF the country, with
out conviciEg sing lie man. lie could point with
pride 10 the result OF these Investigations. lie
showed the cordition in which the democrats left
the credit of the nation, and its present condition
uLder republican rule.
Mr.. kasson then proceeded to a searching
ally sis Of the character of Mr.. Tden, lawyer, a
str for q mi ho has M ed will
the country people, and who has no sympathy
" it'll them. He has made record that was op
posed to the war; declared the war failure; and
that the constitution Of the United States was but
compact of confederation" At the darkest
periods in the nations history, he belonged to a
society that were circulating documents discour
aging the war. 20 the role of "a reformer he is
hypociitical; politician he is dishonest, pro-
fessedly for hard money, and yielding to the in
hatiouists of the West.
He turned from this to the record of Rutherford
b. Hayes. lie had been with Tim in Congress
and knew him well, and many man had been
with him on more honorable field. What would
Iiden give were he able to write that brief letter
of Hayes from the battle field, The man who
would leave the army now to run for Congress.
ought to he scalped.' The three wounds that
Gov. Hayes bears shows what he did for his coun-
try. That he has thrice beaten the champions OF
democracy in the intelligent State of Ohio, shows
that he is not weak man. His letter of aocep-
lance is plain strag httorward, simple, and can be
understood by the American people. Tilden's is
an enigma, to be read several ways; 1t is not the
outspoken sentiments of an honest man. Between
the candidates he did not see how man could
hesitate for moment in his choice.
Me-. kas,on closed with the wish that the day
would come when Iowa and Maine should find
themselves working shoulder to shoulder for a
candidate to be furnished by Maine for the Pres
dency of the United States.
This sentiment was received with prolonged ap-
plause and shouts of approval, and indeed the en-
ire speech, lasting an hour and quarter, was
received with the warmcst deu onstlations of APP
prevail Mr.. Kasson has fine prestn and
speaks calaly, logically, clearly, and often elo-
quently.
The meeting grand and successful opening
of The CAM a,gn, ard VIII have its effect upon the
canvass 1 w III progress.