Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-30
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TO THF--~-
gaily Eeanshee yourual.
Grand Republican Mass Meeting
in Winthrop.

Winthrop, August 80.
| Long before the hour Of beginning the republic
can meeting here tonight, the Town Hall was
crowded with splendid audience Of ladies and
gentlemen. BY the time speaking commenced,
hundreds of people we're on the outside, crowding
the doors, una Die even to gain standing room
within.
p. H. Smell, Esq, called the meeting to order
and introduced Orville d Baker of Augusta
lie said that the flag of our county is sacred be-
cause under its folds can live slave. He
then proceeded to a calm and abe review of the
important issues pending in tuis campaign, speak
Ing OF The various national measures of the two
parties; every wise ard benehclent measure OF the
republican party had been successfully carried
forward, in spite of the opposition of the demo-
cratic party at every point. The republican patty
have record to which it Can point with PRIDE He
passed to q consideration OF the financial ques-
ton, and the want of faith of the democratic par
ty on that point. Its position is not honest, and
from disguised imitation leads directly to Repaid
| ialion. IiGen had accepted the soft IL oney views
Of Hendricks and stood upon platform accepta-
Bile to the inha;ionists. On the matter of reform
he read the square and manly letter of Gov.
Hayes Democrats had made reform necessary.
He showed that the "hard times was not ON ac-
count Of the party in power, but from mercantile
and business causes. In conclusion, he reminded
his hearers that Maine this year sounds the open
ing gun that would awaken the echoes in all the
other State. Mr.. Baker spoke three quarters of
an hour.
Senator Patterson was announced to speak but
he failed to meet the engagement, but his place
was ably supplied by the Hon. John l.. Stew
ems, who had snatched an evening from his ardu-
Gus duties acting chairman of the republican
State committee. Mr.. Stevens discussed princi-
pies and iacts-they were of more Importance
than men. Principles constitute the life, the
blood of all true nations; certain principles of
vital Importance to the life of the nation. The
democratic party had never received into its heart
the idea of Liberty. Some who live in the realms
of fancy urge upon US that the issues between
the two parties had died out. He showed from
history the error Of this assertion. The legions of
freedom had wrested the power from democratic
hands in 1861; the teachings and practices of the
democratic party precipitated war upon the coun-
try, and the democratic party is to-day arrayed
against the republican party, which is the grand
exponent of freedom. They are unwilling to give
the freedman his rights. In proof of this, he
cited the fact that twenty thousand colored per-
sons have murdered since the surrender of Lee.
The real value Of the emancipation proclamation
consists in maintaining the rights which it con-
fers. Southern massacres show that the question
of Liberty is still at issue. He referred to the in
human fugitive slave law, inaugurated by the dem
ocrats, and of the contrast in the rights Of citi
zenship which form one of the grand principles of
the republican party. He criticised Tilden severe
ly but justly, and closed with al eloquent allusion
to the mission of the republican party in vindica-
ton of the rights of war Mr.. Stevens occupied
nearly ,hree-quarters Of n hour
Speeches were also made by Mr.. Howard Owen
of the Journal, and A. S. Richmond, Esq
All the speakers were enthusiastically applaud
ed, and on motion of Col. wing, vote of thanks
rendered them.
The meeting closed at ten O'Clock with cheers
for Hayes and Wheeler, led off by Mr.. Otis.
The Winthrop Band furn ished fine music dur
ing the evening.