The Portland daily press., 1876-03-07
VICTORY!
City HALL FILLED With En-
THUSIASIIC REPUBLICANS
BOnfires in the Squares 4!
Fireworks i'm the Street!
General Fessenden Serenaded and a
General Qualification /!
BOnfires in the Squares
Fireworks i'm the Street!

Notice was given at the PRESS office while
the returns were coming in, that the Republic
cans would hold little meeting in City Hall
at IL o'clock. The Democracy had engaged
the bands but as they had no pressing necessity
for music both were engaged by the Republi.
can City Committee After music in the
streets, the people and bands poured into City
Hall filling it with an audience that entered
fully into the spirit of the occasion. The
meeting was called to order by Mr.. Small of
the City Committee, and J. o. Winship Esq.,,
called to preside. On taking the chair he
made an effective speech which was frequent
ly applauded.
Henry B. Cleaves ESQ.,, next addressed the
meeting. He alluded to the charges of corrup-
ton aginst the Republican party and contrast
ed the case of Belknap with Buchanan's trea-
sonable cabinet Mr.. Cleaves remarks were re-
ceived with hearty demonstrations of approval
showing that the statement of the Argus that
he would be coolly received by his constitu-
ents for his vote Oh the election bill was like a
great many other statements of that paper.
Hon. T. B. Reed next addressed the meet
ing. He said that the victory the Republi-
cans had won, showed what that great body of
intelligent men could do when they were united
and had an object to gain worthy of their best
efforts. Referring to the case of Gen. Belknap,
he said that the Republican leaders had no re-
sponsibility in the matter. As one man they
had united to bring to him the punishment his
offense merited. Indeed, their prompt depun-
citation of him and the steps taken to bring him
to justice, strengthened the conviction of the
American people in the integrity and high pur-
pose of the men it had placed in power. He
also contrasted the dealings of the Republican
administration with the whiskey rings with
that of the Democratic leaders in New York
with Tweed and the canal ring.
Gen. j. j. Perry made the last speech which
was full OF good points.
The chairman then announced that pro-
cession would be formed to tender the congrat-
ulations of the hour to Gen. Fessenden, Mayor
elect. Thereupon one portion of the audience
under Capt. G. j. Pennell with Chambers
band passed out of the front entrance and
another, under Mr.. J. A. Brown, filed
out of the side doors. headed
by the Portland band With torch
lights and fire works, several thousand people
proceeded to the residence of Gen. Fessenden.
After several pieces of music S. R. Small, Esq,
Chairman Of the City Committee, introduced
Gen. Fessenden to the audience He was re-
ceived with hearty cheers. When the greeting
had ceased he briefly addressed his friends. He
said that however important this victory was
as local affair, it had national significance
Referring to the remark of Mr.. Clifford that
the upturned faces at the Democratic meeting
in City Hall was harbinger of victory, he
thought that this occasion was victory ITSELF
Two years ago many Republicans were almost
willing to zee Democratic Congress, but a few
weeks of such Congress had suficed to pro-
duce intense alarm at the prospect of such a
party coming to the control of the government
The great body of intelligent people in the
North were shocked at the declarations of Mr.
Hill of Georgia, and indignant that he should
charge upon the Lincoln administration the
horrors of AndersOnville They were filled
with alarm because ex-confederates in Congress
should have the hardihood to declare that we
are not a nation but a mere confederation of
independent states. He predicted that the Re-
publicans would win the pending contest. Re-
ferring to the position with which he had been
houored by the votes of the Republicans of
Portland he said that although the Argus had
said that he was novice in city affairs and had
had but little experience in business of any
kind, be pledged his best efforts to a conscien-
tious discharge of the duties of the responsible
Office and hoped to be able to merit the general
approval of the citizens of Portland.
The crowd then followed the bands to Mark
ct Square, where the exercises ended. Huge
bon-fres were kindled in Market Square and at
several points in the city.
The celebration was one of the most enthus-
aStic in the history of the marty in this CITY