Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-09-09
LAST rAttY OF rnts CAMPAIGN.
speech by Hon. stewart l.. woodford

The republicans Of Augusta held their last rally
of the present ign at Meonian Hall. on Sat
urday evening. 1t was a grand demonstr alton
| the hall being filled in every part with intel
ligent and sopreciatlve an audience ss we ever
saw gathered in Augusta. A cordial reception
was given the speaker of the evening, Ex Cover
nor Woodford OF New York.
The Governor began his speech by referring to
the fact that it was his pleasure and privilege &c
meet the republicans Of Maine, in convention, al
the opening of the campaign for honest money,
and again to greet them at the close Of the same
at the capital Of the State. He then answered in
q clear and concise manner, the question, what is
money showing that it is the standard of values
From time immemoral gold and silver have been
chosen as that standard, they are less liable to
fuctuate in value than any other metal. You can
coin these, according to the spirit and letter of the
con ion, but you cannot coin = greenback
He did not come to plead for the cspitalist-the
rich mamie could take care of himself. lie
draws his resources from the income of his invest
ed property. But the poor mantle man who
receives his daily or weekly wsRes-he is the one
who will be most dsastrously affected by depre-
ciated aud vitisted currency. He next called the
attention of his democratic and greenbsck friends
to the necessity that was upon this Cover nme ut
compelling the issue Of the greenback. The ma
tons life was threatened money must be had to
feed the sold ers of the republic who were fighting
her battles, and 90 the republican party stepping
ontside of the constitution. issued the greenbaek.
They regarded the constitution made for the ma
too, and not the nation made for the constitution
The greenback was never money, but simply q
promise to pay money. The greenbacks are al
ways reckoncd in the debt of the nation. He then
depicted the state of things that would exist should
the plan cf the greenbsckers be carried out. He
gave the reason for the depression in business
that it was on account of the disturbance Of the
circles. There is plenty Of money in the country
the scarcity of money is not the reason why the
wheels OF machinery do not move, and former &C.
tivities are silent. Confidence will restore bust
ness, and we can reach that only by keeping the
plghted faith of the nation. He spoke of the near
approach Of the time for resumption, of the small
premium on gold, and of the efforts Of the infa-
tonsts to turn back the tide, and again launch the
nation upon an uncertain sea. He showed the
partnership between capital and labor. He closed
by asserting the belief that Maine would be true
to her motto and her past history, and set an ex-
ample on Monday for New York to follow.
The speech occupied one hour in its delivery,
and the production of q finished orator and
able statesman, delivered in . most earnest and
eloquent manner. The meeting was presided over
by Mayor Nash, who at the close introduced Gov.
Woodford to many Of our citizens Most excellent
music was furnished during the evening by the
Augusta Cornet Band.