Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-05
UNITED STATES SENATOR.
Mr.. Blaine Unanm0usIy N0mine:ed.-
Great Enthusiasm among the We nhers.
Speeches ny Messrs. Hyde, Nesiley, ho-
Bile, Haynes, Sinton and bowers.

lnaupg n candidate Tor tue tulce OF luNcu otates
Senator, to i'll e place mat vacant by the resg
nation Of Hon. Lot NJ. morrill, and also for the
full term OF six years bcginnng on the fourth OF
March next. The caucus was largely attended,
there being but few absentccs among the repub
can members. The galleries and floor were lively
with spectators.
The caucus was called TO order by Senator
Brown Of Piscataqus, whose nomination, Hon
Joseph 5. Wheelwright of Penobscot was called
to preside. 5. W. Lane, Esq, and Oramanda
Smith, Esq. were made Secretaries.
Hon. Thomas W. Hyde Of Sagadahoc county,
President of the Senate rose and said
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the Cow en-
ton
have the honor Of presenting to this Conven-
ton a candidate for U. 5. Senator for the ong
and hort terms, the name OF James G. Blaine.
The Republicans Of Maine desire this well earn
ed honor for their great chief. They have watch
cd ms political career with pride. 1t began in this
House; year after year IN Congress, and each
with increasing usefulness 10 his Country. Then
as Speaker of the House of Representatives he
became the first Parllamentarian OF the day. AS
leader of the opposition he developed qualities
that would have made him leader III a Congress
OF Nations. lie has borne the party banner with
stainless front,-stainess, though often assaed
by malice.
1 would move, MIR. PRESIDENT, that his nom
ton be by acclamatiOn.
Mr.. Hyde was interrupted by applause.
Hon L. Is. Nealley of Bangor, Speaker Of the
House, rose and said
Mr.. President In seconding the nom nation
made by the Senator ON Sagadahoc, it seems al
most a waste of words for to attempt 10 say
anything in praise of our distinguished Senator.
lie is man whom the State OF Maine has long
delighted 10 honor, and who in return has long
honored his State from the day when he first en-
tered the hall as representative until now when
he stands forth as the most trusted and conspicu-
Gus leader Of the great party OF human freedom
like Henry Clay in another generation, more con-
fessedly the leader Of the people than II he had
been honored with the highest office within their
gift. There has been no gfander scene IN our
political history, nor which the loyal people Of
this country will longer remember, than this
champion in the hall OF the House of Representa-
lives, single-handed and alone, the leader of a
small minority, drove back, batfied and discomft-
ted, the whole host of secession sympathllers, and
forced their leaders to sulleny acknowledge that
they still bells, unre pentant and unchanged,
and seeking only the control of the government TO
put their old theories again into practice, and SO
sado the result of the
1t is to him more than to any other that we are
indebted for having brought squarely and dis
unctly before the people the real issues which d-
vide parties to-day. 1t is TO his faithful labors
and his fearless advocacy of the great principles
OF flee government that we are indebted for what
ever of devotion and enthusiasm attended these
principles in the late Preside ntial campaign. And
/ am sure that We but echo the single united voice
Of the republicans of Maine, in nominating as we
shall unanimously do to- ng ht, for the Senatolship
James &. Blaine.
Mr. Neaey, during the delivery Of his speech,
was frequently interrupted by applause.
MI Robe of Gorham said that the great centre
of the State, and also the eastern section of the
State had been heard from; the west would glad
ly respond. He could look back few months,
when the representatives of the republican party
were gathered in this hall to select delegates TO
the Cincinnati convention. They came forward
and presented for the Presidency the name Of
james e.. Blaine. That action met the endorse
ment of every republican in the State. Several
hundred OF the most influential members Of the
party went to Cincinnati to present his name to
the great union party of the country.
There are some things that we would like to for
get; there are others that we would remember
forever Among the latter is the faithfulness Of
the friends of James G. Blaine TO their great cham
pion. Victory was almost within our grasp, and
was only lost by the most active combinat ions
But to night let the telegraph flash the news
across the country that Maine republicans unan
mously send James G. Blaine TO the Senate of
the L nited States.
Mr. Robes remarks were followed with pro-
longed applause.
Mr.. Bowers of Saco, said he was glad of this
opportunity of voting for the nomination OF Jas.
&. Blaine as candidate for nited States Sen ator.
lie bopeQ four years nence 10 nave the privilege
of voting for him for President of the United
States. Applause.
Senator Vnton of Cumberland, wa. the next
speaker. He said it was eminently proper at this
time, that should give a for
our hope and say why we were so warm and ar
dent in support of Mr.. Blaine. He then brief
ly reviewed his history from the time OF his enter
ing the State to the present time; from his enter
ing the humble legislative halls of his own State
to the period when he has become the prince of
parlamentaIisns, the leader of leaders " APP
plause. He noticed his complete yindlcation from
all the detractions of his enemies. In review of
his brilliant career, Maine should feel justly proud.
Applause. For long time there had been no
doubt that he would be chosen Senator. He be-
leved he would yet be President Of the L nited
States. Applause.
Col. j. Manchester Haynes, member of the
House from Augusta, next addressed the caucus.
OF the remarks of Mr.. Haynes we can only
give a brief abstract:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Pardon me if
the mention of a noble name excites emotions |
cannot restrain. | shall add but word where
words cannot add much My voice almost shrinks
from the task of mingling with the enconiums
that have been feengy pronounced for my
neighbor and friend. | feel kind Of personal
gratitude for the words that have been spoken for
him. The subject of them, by the true spirit Of
his manhood, by his friendship and the electric in
huence of his nature, has established between
him aud all of us, kind of &C mmon identity, Il
Kind OF mutual nope and aspiration.
Anything less than a unanimous acCamaton
would seem to be kind Of base migrate towards
one who has borne so large share of our com
mon aims.
The man of men, who, like Antaus the mil hty
wrestler, has stood grounded on the foundations
of Republican liberty drawing into the fbres Of
his being that is grand and great and of proph-
etc promise in the destiny of the country we
love, could have but one fate in a convention Of
the State of Maine. The man whose luminous
character convets the dark vapors of detiaction
into shining drapery of ligh,can have no compel
itor.
The action of this convention is no more unex
pected than is the mounting glory of the sua to
those who have seen the arrows of the morn
ing pointing TO the throne of its meridian splen-
dor We may use brave language when we
speak Of him.
Some one said to me Just "you will speak
for the immediate neighboIs of Mr.. Blaine Mr..
Blaines neighborhood extends to the limits of the
whole Unou.
Thrice, thrice happy is the State that can name
him .s the champion OF her rights. Thrice, thllce
happy is the Republic that can demand Of her
constituent State this Incompatible son.
Let Massachusetts, let New England, let all the
sister States send to the councils of the Republic
his peer, and the Union shall last forever.
Mr. Haynes speech not only received with
rounds of applause. but was followed with cheer