Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-24

j look upon il as certain that the free citizens
of this State do not pr oppose to be reduced to
the condition of the blacks of the South. The
right of suffrage will be retained in our
hands, and neither Ku-Klux nor counting out
can avail against us.
Mr.. Park was frequently interrupted by
loud applause, showing that he carried the
sympathies of his hearers with him. The
resolutions (you received them by associated
press) were reported and accepted by rising
vote.
l.. Clay, Esq, was then called and in res
ponse said: We are assembled here tonight
in accordance with that part ofthe constitution
which Gov. Garcelon and his sage Council
Tors had not yet called unconstitutional the
10 Sec. of the Declaration of rights. Every
one was acquainted with the egregious wrongs
now being consummated by the Governor and
Council, and he would not enter into partic-
ulars; but in answer to the question so
sneeringy propounded by them, "What are
you going to do about it - He would offer
few suggestions. They say we are without
arms. The Governor has these and the militia
but we could do as Ethan Allen sadt they would
when asked by a British officer what the Amer
leans could do without arms or ammunition !;
'We have pitch. forks and we will pitch YOU
red coats into hell SO fast that the devil can't
stow you away" So can we use what we
have if necessary. He did not recommend
fighting if it could be avoided. On
the 9TH of Jan. every republican, who
was elected, should assemble at Augusta and
if insolently rejected from the State House,
then meet and organize in Granite Hall and
appoint Gov. Davis to his position. If then
refused access to the State House. call upon
the citizens and with them begirt the citadel,
as Joshua did of old in regard to Jericho, and
marching around cause it to trenlble and fall
upon the heads of those usurpers from the
cries of Indignation which should be raised.
Lawyer Clay's remarks were apt and well il
Illustrated by anecdotes. He was frequently
interrupted By applause.
The President then remarked that Gen.
Garfield told the people to sustain theirrights,
even to bloodshed.
Rev. l.. J. Bradley, said: There is right
and a wrong in this matter. In my own mind
| am very clear where the right lies and
whese the wrong lies, and as a minister ask
ing of men to do the right, | am resolved and
declare it before you, that where | know the
right will as far as have strength, do the right.
feel as though there were a great cloud shut
down over the State and know not but be-
fore month has passed there will be fierce
flashes of light IN that cloud. / hope that it
will not so happen, but know this. that if
the chosen leaders of the majority of the peo-
pie of Maine shall declare some course nee
essary for the welfare of the State and for my
welfare, Ipromise here and always to support
them. If could not stand by the right when
l knew the right, have no right to breathe.
| do not care to live unless can throw what
power God has given me on the side of right
We do not know what we shall do but
simply voice your feeling when say that we
are ready to follow the leaders in the State
whenthi question has been discussed and some
movement decided upon. As citizens having
at heart the true interests of the community
and of the State, l can see nothing for US to
do but to array ourselves as one man and
make our demand for our rights so solid
and so firm that it will shake the hearts of
those who cannot in their iniquity be firm and
strong. l do believe they are shaking in
their hearts, and if we only show our man
hood truly enough and convince them of our
determination to do that which is in us to do.
then l know that as wrong yields to right so
will they yield. But should they not YIELD
cannot tell what the issue will be. But this
feel assured of, that the spirit which ami
mated our forefathers is not dead within
us. As out of great affiiction great blessings
often come, so out of this affliction may our
State come forth stronger and better than
ever.
Dr.'W. p. Gi1dings said: feel the more
intensely the great wrong perhaps, on ac-
court of its being committed by one repre-
senting my own profession. l have no plea
to make in extenuaton of his crime on that
account, but unite with all good citizens, of
whatever name or party, in denouncing a
man who has violated his oath and traduced
the honor of his State. So far as l have
read, the press has consigned these conspira-
tors to the condign punishment they so richly
Al
dead. Will those whom they have tried to
elevate to Office accept the gift? Let us hope
not. If they do, it purchases a let for them
in the same cemetery with the conspiratcrs.
S. c. Whitmore said The spirit, the intent
of every article, section and line of our con-
constitution is, that the majority shall rule.
The spirit, the intent of every law is that the
majority shall rule. If the majority do not
rule in the coming legislature, it will be be-
cause the law has been violated by the Gov
ernor and Council and for no other reason.
This violation of law we will not permit
The issue before us involves the rights as
citizens of every man in the State. How we
shall act l leave to older and wiser heads,
but you may depend upon me to do my part ;
will follow where others lead.
Mr.. II. G. White said: That as in Massa-
chusetts, the people had wiled from their
patriotic hears that Butler should never be
their ruler, so had the republicans of Maine
determined that this great iniquity should not
triumph. For his part he promised most
heartily to follow any and every measure in
Dictated by those whom the people have
chosen, for remedying this evil. He had just
read Garcelon's attempted defence and found
it nothing but mass of generalities. He
read the following letter of w. l.. Putnam's
as an indication of the feeling Of honest DEM
ocrats:
PORTLAND Me-, Dec. 22nd, 70.
DEAR SIR.-Your telegram of this date re-
ceived. The interview as reported by the
Press was substantially correct. You will
notice that it was based upon the assumption
that the newspaper reports of what had been
done were correct. Very Truly,
w. l.. PUTNAM.
II. G. White, Esq
Mr.. A. c. Stilphen made brief but COM
prehensve review of the technical points
taken by the Governor and Council in their
justification of the conspiracy and fully ex-
posed the weakness of their argument. I'm
der the constitution as it stands, the people
have rights which they will sustain come
what will. Dodge whichever way the con-
tl,o,, hv tho lox