The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-09-12
JOLIFICATIGN.
City Hall Crowded and a Most Enthusins :
Tic Meeting - Beading of Returns,
Speeches, ETC., etc.

At the close of the polls last evening the
crowd began to gather about the PRESS and Ar
gus offices to get the returns. Messengers from
the several ward rooms kept the counting room
OF the PRESS Office informed of matters as fast
they occurred, and the news was at once bull.
letined in the office window. As the time passed
along and the surrounding towns sent in theii
returns, the crowd became SO dense that it was
impossible to pass on the sidewalk. About Z
O'Clock the crowd had increased so fast that it
was deemed advisable to open City Hall.
Chandlers Band marched to the hall follow ed
by large crowd. The band took up their po-
siton in the hail. and at once the hall was fill
ed by our very best citizens
John 0. Winship, Esq, was nominated and
took the chair in few humorous remarks.
The band then played lively air. While the
band was playing about dozen of the Wash
ington Guards marched upon the stage bearin g
new brooms-a take off on the procession of
Saturday night. Three cheers were given for
them by the audience. The chairman then
read more cheering returns and was greeted
with loud cheers as he announced the great
gains. He closed with despatch from James
Z. Blaine, and as he announced the name of
the sender the ball resounded with cheers for
Blaine.
AT the close of the reading of returns loud
calls were made for Mr.. Reed, who was not in
the hall. The Washington Guards were de
tailed to conduct Mr.. Reed to the hall. As he
appeared on the stage the audience arose as one
man, and cheered for the Representative elect.
AS soon as order could be restored Mr.. Reed
was introduced and addressed the meeting sub
stantially as follows:
have never before felt at SO great loss for
WORDS; not because there is not plenty to say,
out because words seem to be inadequate to an
occasion like this. We have fought great
night. The result tonight has been achieved by
great labor and devotion. Apart from all per-
sonal considerations L rejoice in it, because it
the principles for which they have been fight
ing for twenty years. 1t shows that we are just
as determined in our contest for the great prin-
oiples Of liberty as when we first began. We
have hoped each time that those principles
would become SO firmly established that they
would need no more effort on our part, that the
hosts of error which have been across the march
of the great army of freedom would be defeat
ed and dissipated finally and forever But as
long as we live in a state of probation we must
live in state of warfare with wrong. Eternal
vigilance is not only the price of liberty, but of
all the blessings of good government. The
American citizen every fourth year has to put
on his harness in defence of liberty and of the
institutions of his country. And the results to-
night show that you in this contest have put on
your harness to good, wholesome purpose.
'Tllden and reform" have met the same fate
at your hands that has overtaken all preten-
sions of the Democracy in former years. For
the Democratic party is party of pretension.
LIZ never dares to come out openly and avow its
purposes, but always robes itself in some cloak
of righteousness stolen from some honest back.
And we have slipped it off them four times be-
fore. 1t is now five times that they have whit
'ened the sepulchre, and five times we have roll
ed away the door and shown the dead mems
bones inside.
7 congratulate you again upon the results
achieved, the more heartily because they are
the earnest that whatever other states may do,
the state of Maine means to persevere to the
END in defence of Republican principles.
L During the delivery of his remarks Mr. Reed
was frequently interrupted with applause, W hich
showed the esteem with which he is held by
his native city. At the close of his remarks
cheers were given for Gov. Hayes, the next
President.
Calls were made for George W. Woodman,
and he came forward and made a few remarks.
Nathan Webb, Esq, was next called for, and
he addressed the meeting in few we'll chosen
remarks. He thanked the audience for calling
him to address them on such joyous occasion.
He rejoiced over the election of Mr.. Reed
whom he had known from his youth up. He
is native of this city, and the city naturally
takes great. interest in his welfare. The
speaker had seen him in various walks of life,
nd al l..
ready to do his duty. He was sorry that so
many good people had been led to defame the
good name of Mr.. Reed. When two years
come around no doubt these very men will be
Mr.. Reeds warmest supporters, remarked Mr..
Webb. The speaker made few humorous re-
marks upon the brooms as used Saturday night
and on this occasion. The brooms as now used
are sweepingsthem out. This campaign tran
sends the first one of the party, and it is now
for us as party to say whether we shall profit
by this victory In November we shall have
another opportunity to congratulate ourselves,
ssand may be here in November" said the
speaker in closing.
The speech of Mr.. Webb was closely listened
to throughout.
Charles F. Libby, Esq, was called for re-
peatedly but he was not in the hall. Mr.. Jos.
A. Locke, Representative elect, was called for
and made a neat speech, thanking his coustitu
ents for his election.
More encouraging returns were read by the
chair amid motions made from the platform
and floor. One Of these motions was that
contribution be taken up to purchase soft feed
for Talbots old horse. Another that contri-
button he taken to defray the Democratic fun
eral expenses. The returns made will be found
In their appropriate place.
Soon after nine o'clock the meeting broke up
with three cheers for the Republican party,
which were given with a will. After the meet
ing procession formed and, headed by the
band, they serenaded several of the Republic
cans elect.
The meeting was one of the most enthusiast
tic ever held in the city, but it was utterly i'm
possible to hold any different meeting after re-
ceiving such good news, and so much of it.