The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-08-02

John r. Chamberlain of Lebanon,
James L. Larrabee of Lmington.
j. +. Chute of Bridgton.
Albert Smith of Portland
On motion of Hon. John j. Perry commit
tee was appointed to report resolutions. The
chair appointed the following gentlemen:
John J. Perry Of Portland,
John ii. Goodnow of SacO.
Weston f. Milliken of Portland.
G. M. Seiders of North Yarmouth.
Isaac NJ. Trafton of Newfeld.
The committee appointed to choose District
Committee reported the following which we're
elected:
Eben N. Perry of Cape Elizabeth.
j. w. Beatty of Saco.
Sylvester Bartlett of Eliot.
j. f. Bracket of Limington.
j. S. Parker of Lebanon.
Hiram Knowlton OF Portland.
Benz. T. Chase of BriGgton.
Mr.. j. f. Bracket of Limington said that
at the present stage of the convention he
wished to present name for consideration. A
name known and honored in the nation, state
and district, the name of man of distinguish
ed ability who has already done good service.
l present it believing that it will supercede any
name mentioned here today. When 1 name it
all will concede that nothing short Of an un-
animous nomination will do it justice. now
have the honor to nominate the Hop. Thomas
B. Reed of Portland as a candidate for Con-
gress (Applsuse.) 1 not only confidently
expect him to be nominated but elected as
well. cloud Applause.)
The motion to nominate Mr.. Reed by accla.
nation was seconded and was put and decl Ared
amid loud applause.
On motion of Leonard Andrews, Esq, OF
Biddeford three cheers and a hearty tiger was
given for Hon. Thomas B. Reed, our present
and future Representative
Loud calls were made for Mr., Reed to
address the convention. The chairman APP
pointed John B. Nealeyof South Berwick a
committee to notify Mr.. Reed of his nomina-
ton ana requested his presence.
Mr.. Nealey returned accompanied by be
nominee. The appearance of Mr.. Reed was
the signal of loud and continued applause,
which only ceased when he began to speak.
Mr.. Reed spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the Conuention,-It is great
satisfaction to see, SO soon after our full state
convention, SO large and intelligent an audi
eHce as that before me. 1t shows that you ap-
preciate the necessity Of keeping the victorious
flag OF the old Republican party still in the
forefront as thu surest hope of the country
While never had less doubt than now of the
result of the Dext election, l feel very deeply
the responsibilities of this campaign. Your
presence here shows that you feel the same re-
spOnsbilities. In ordinary times the party
slogan is easily uttered, the party tocsin cas-
lily sounded. Today question of which we
have talked, but seldom fully discussed, is be-
fore us. This has got to be a campaign of ed
ucation, of instruction to all Of US, to those
whO'speak and write as we'll as those who read
and hear. Ever since the war was over, thought
full men have been watching the course which
the American people have taken with the cur
| rency called into being by the exigencies of
that war. That course has been huctuating,
uncertain, source of constant apprehension
and alarm to all who are capable of looking
beyond the temporary interests of the moment.
There has always been, however, one steady
ray of sunlight, and that was the desire and
determination of the American people to be
honest, whatever it might cost. Toe hard
money opinions of this generation are tradi-
tionary, not the result of cur own learning and
judgment. We have sound and righteous
faitb but we have not SO studied it ourselves as
TO be able always to give reason for the faith
that is IN US. Why was it that after the war,
we declared with one heart and voice that one
OF the trst duties of the government was to re-
turn to specie payments? There was no differ
eDce of opinion. Republicans and Democrats
Wed With each other and with Scion Chase in
denouncing 66 cent currency and demanding
one hundred honest cents to the dollar. ZAP
plause.) Why? Had we studied the currency
question? Did we know any more about it
then than now? Not at all. We did it be-
cause our instincts were honest, and because
this was demanded by the sound principles of
| our forefathers. in which we had been born and
nurtured and educated. Why were our fore
fathers so united in this opinion? Why,
notwithstanding their differences, did Ham
ilton and Jefferson, representing systems of
politics as variant as the Southern Gross and
North Star, stand side by side on this great
question? Because Federalst and Democrat,
radical and conservative, had alike paid wages
to the greatest teacher of the human race dear
bought experience. They had seen emerge dis
honored from the clouds of repudiated paper,
the confederation that fought the Revolution,
and every state in it. They had seen wave az
ter wave of paper money roll over the land at
the beck of speculation, until ruin engulfed the
country. In one word they hated irredeemable
paper money because they had suffered by it.
Hence it was that they determined to build the
foundation of finance 10 this country on the
solid basis of value and not on the shifting
sands of promise. Hence, for half a century
SINCE these wise men went to their graves, the
United States of America never had paper
money Issued by the government. Never till
this terrible war, did we violate the principles
of these bon0red men and then only because
we thought the safety of the nation demanded
it,
My friends, whether the legal-tender act was
an act of indelibe disgrace, depends upon the
history of the near future. The possibilities
| make all thoughtful men tremble No nation
on the face of the earth, Asiatic, European or
American, ever Issued such paper currency
and did not finally repuGiate it. Nevertheless
| L believe as surely as stand here TINT to the
| American people is reserved the proud distinc-
| ton of redeeming its paper to the utterm
| fsrthing, and the loftiest and most historic day
| in the lifetime of any Secretary of the Treas
ury will be the day when that happens. Zap.
| plause.)
L have always believed that this question had
| got to be discussed by the people before it was
| finally decided. This is republic and all
| these questions have finally TO be decided by
| the people, No leaders can do it, This is a
matter of rejoicing to those who love the truth
| Tor there can be- no shadow Of doubt as to the
result and when the result is reached it will be
no vague belief founded on the opinion;
| OF others and waveriDg at every turn Of the
tlde, but conviction ready to be put into exc
| cution. This is DO time or place to discus!
TINS question fully, but hope to meet you il
the various towns of this district and there
present you facts that can be relied upon, facts
with vouchers and not falsities that rest only il
tne iefVld lmsginations Of takers in the inter
esq OF SPECTATORS; for real facts once fairly and
| fully presented cannot fail to carry conviction
| to the candid mind.
| 10 tnose VINO are not convinced on principle
tnat honest money based on value is the safes
1or any state, desire to point out one grea
| source OF danger from inilatien in this coau
Wy. va every measure which looks toward
imitation without limit the South stand sole
unit There is no break in the phalanx. VIII,
Is Ghis1 why are they SO unanimous Will,