Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-29
Republican Enthusiasm i'm the
West.


The republicans in the Western States are
again feeling the old-time enthusiasm in the
success of the republican cause. The panic
of 1873 and the depression of business which
followed, gave the western democrats and po-
litical guerilas an opportunity to make IN
roads upon the republican strength, the eff
fects of which have been visible in reduced
republican representation in Congress and To-
cal dlsorganization and defeat. In 1876
splepdid efforts were made to redeem the par
tv which were partially successful Now,
with the election of new House pending,
and with better feeling consequent upon
the improved financial prospect, the republic
cans of the West are exhibiting spirit wor
thy of themselves and the cause in which
they are enlisted, and preparing to do battle
with all their might for the success Of their
ticket in the approaching elections.
At the Illinois republican State convention
held Wednesday the newly awakened enthu-
siasm of the party was conspcuously mani
tested Though there were no important
nominations to be made-no contests to take
place between rival candidates-the con-
vention was the largest ever held in the State,
and for harmony, enthusiasm and patriotic
feeling was never surpassed. The larger part
of the delegates had no other object, says a
reporter, Ethan to show their devotion to the
republican party and their determination to
set on foot an oldiashioned republican cam
paign. There were hundreds of outsiders,
too, who came to Springfield with similar
purpose from all parts Of the State Prior
to the convention there was but one voice
from all these men, and it was that the con
vention should take such action as would in
sure the republicans of Illinois the privilege
of making an out and out incorporating
fight this Fall for republican principles and
republican institutions, and, now that the
convention is over, there is a feeling of uni
versal satisfaction with its doings.
An incident in the convention expressive
of the feeling which porvaded it was the
prayer of the chaplain at the opening and
the manner in which 1t was received by the
delegates present. ale said" says the re-
porter from whom we have quoted above
"the republicans of Illinois were about to
engage In good and righteous cause, and be
boldly asked the Divine blessing upon it, and
not alone upon the work of the convention,
but. farther, upon the campaign which was
to follow. The hall rang with applause as
the reverend gentleman brought bis prayer to
an end"
The spirit of the address Of the presiding
officers upon taking the Chair was also adj
mirable. The temporary Chairman said ait
was an honor to him, as young republican,
to preside even temporarily over convention
which represented 100000 republican votes
cast in allegiance to party which has fur
nisbed SO many illustriouS pages in the his
tory Of the country. 1t was the party he
said, which bad taken the nation through
the Red Sea of war and the wilderness of re.
construction, and stood ready to reTeat the
operation whenever it should be necessary.
The republicans Of Illinois realized full well.
he continued, that as long as there existed
another party, whose motto was Rule or
Rum, there was need for them to be in fight
ing TRIM" The permanent chairman said,
speaking to the republicans of the State
through their delegates $40 you 1t remains
to sec that the government Of this country
shall not pass INTO the control Of party
which struck no blow in it's defence"
With such a feeling as this prevailing
there is no doubt the republicans OF Illinois
will give good account OF themselves at the
polls. We trust that the same enthusiasm
witnessed at Springfield will be manifest in
the republican State convention to be held at
Portland August Let. Let every town send
a full delegation Of its best men, and we
shall see one of the grandest conventions
ever held within the borders of Maine. the
influence Of which will reach far and wide
over the State and powerfully aid to give US
glorious victory in September.