Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-01
The Republican Party of Maine.

The cpsonenis OF the republican party
had conceived the idea, before the repub-
lican State conyeDtoH. that ii was in
moribund condition, and they would
easily walk over ii at the coming election.
The idea WAS not exactly new, for every
year since the republican party in Maine
has had an existence, it has prevailed for
a few weeks. only to be snuffed out at
election This year it seemed to become
intensified. owing to the demonstrations
of the greenback party in the Spring elec-
tions and the extsavagant claims since in
regard to their strength and purposes,
which appeared to afford better basis
than usual for predicating the defeat of
the republican organization. To read the
rumors in the democratic newspapers and
credit them it would be necessary to be-
lieve that the republican party was hope
lessly divided, had lost its vitality, could
not get out corporal's guard to attend
the convention, and was fast sinking into
It's grave.
To the enemies of the brave old party
then the State convention OF Tuesday was
an overwhelming surprise. Never in its
palmiest days did it present a grander dis
play of all the elements that 60 to make
up powerful and enduring party than In
that assemblage. There were the gray
haired veterans that first raised its stan
dard aolt many of whom have received
its honors and won them worthily. There
were the honest, intelligent, bronzed faces
Of the sons of toll. the laboring men of
Maine, farmers, mechanics, fishermen,
sailors, standing side by side with men Of
wealth, oil the professions, representatives
of all ranks and classes and. callings. from
all quarters of the State, ready to do battle
as ever in behalf of the republican party. 1t
was remarked by those present who have
attended every republican State convention
since the party was first formed, that they
never saw any convention that surpassed
this in character, appearance, or evidences
of power and permanence.
What brought these men out from their
homes in distant Aroostook, and away
from their pressing daily duties and cares
In every city and nearly every town and
plantation 10 this widely extended State /?
Simply the idea that the country needs
their services to save it from financial
ruin now as ii needed them in time of re
belion to prevent the destruction of the
government. They felt that duty called
them. They realized that there was
work tor the republican party to do
Aud SO they left their various occupations.
not TO make mere show OF strength, bul
TO commence in earnest the work OF or
ganization aud to do their share towards
establishing an honest currency for the
American people, which will be as good
for one man or class as for another.
IL was notable about this convention
that all members of it were actuated with
one spirit. There were no factions, no
distinctions, no differences of opinion in
regard 10 what duty demanded at this
time. They met in harmony and parted
in harmony. with the most perfect conf
dence that every member would perform
his pat in the contest manluliy, and the
fullest faith that glorious republican vic
nv will be the result. There We're nc
dee pondent words spoken. The reports
from all sections were cheering.
That such convention Should assem-