Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-22

deep interest. There is underlying it all
some deep seated cause. Are men to be put
in Office as rewards for party preference, or for
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT? When we ask
ourselves what we are to do with these crimi.
nails, there comes back to us the question
who shall punish them? We want honest
men in Office to execute honest laws. II we
tamely submit to this, and do not rise and
say that this thing shall not be, the founda-
tons of everything we hold sacred are in
danger. 1t is fearful thing when men rise
in this way and defy Heaven, and break out
against Earth. Shall we, who have, once
and again, fought for our rights, quail before
these men? No, in our righteous wrath we
will rise up and say "Thus far shalt thou go
and no farther"
REMARKS OF Mr.. HOWARD OWEN.
Calls were made for Howard Owen, Esq. of
Augusta, who on taking the platform, said in
substance, that he noticed the same spirit and
sentiment in this meeting as in that at Augusta
Friday evening. 1t is in the atmosphere,
the spirit of patriotism. am glad the crime
is one that can be so easily seen through.
Mr.. Owen reviewed the method by which the
blanks were sent out in the beginning of the
campaign, showing the deep laid plot to count
us out from the first. We found our victory
complete at the polls that we were 10th to
believe that it was possible to count out the
majority in the House and Senate until it was
consummated. Business to-day is paralyzed,
and charge it upon the Governor and Coun-
ell, who protested to have so much feeling
for the laboring classes, and who have now
taken steps that are striking stagnation upon
every branch of business throughout the
State. Business, as the result of our late
election, had taken new impetus and is now
at a standstill. The law of 1877, which
provides for the correction of every defect in
the returns. was taken advantage of by more
than three hundred of the best men of our
State who knocked at the doors of the Cover
nor and Council and were refused, and were
forbidden to see the returns. and even while
these men were there, these returns were
being examined and prepared for the very re-
suit that has been brought about. If we had
been allowed to see these returns and allowed
to correct them where the law would admit of
their being corrected, we would not have
found fault. Talk about waiting till we can
correct this at the ballot box. How do we
know that we shall have the privilege of the
ballot another year. We shall be tied hand
and foot another year. He saw an article in
the Maine Standard giving "advice to candid
republicans" but it is not 'candid republi-
cans" that are to be addressed now but Sin
ulSUdUt TcDuDllCdHS. L WANT 10 see ucInO-
Gratis coming out against this outrage as bold
ly as Hon Mr.. Putnam of Portland. l want
to see those men who hold bogus certificates
come forward like men and say tfat they are
ashamed to take seats to which they are not
elected, and repudiate the whole transaction.
Say as a prominent man in Augusta said, II
met the republican party and spent my money
to fight them, and we are beaten and should
be ashamed to present myself to the Legisla-
ture with certificate when was not elected
These bogus men must not be allowed to take
their seats.
Mr.. Owen was loudly applauded-and then
the following letter was read by the Presi-
dent.
BosToN. Dec. 20, 1879.
Hon. J. X. Bodwell, Hallowell. Maine.
Dear Sir: ] notice your people are to meet to-
night TO stamp with indignation the crime of the
Governor and Council Never was there . clearer
case OF downright conspiracy and usurpstion Froms
trick of the Secretary and printer Of the return blanks
officially sent out to the Cities up TO the unhesrd Of
overthrowing a statute in force. made and pro-
vided to meet the very cases in point, the whole
smacks of conspiracy. for which have
40 doubt the laws of Maine are amply adequate.
From every section of the country there comes q
never before cast upon any crime
mitted in this land, and the people OF Maine will
know how TO protect themselves against the acts of
cowardly riildins and demdgogues.
Yours truly,
JAMES a. HALL.
Capt. John S. Snow said that the more he
thought of this matter the more was he con-
WINGED that the same thing that has been
done now, might have been done last year by
the republican party, but it never entered
the head Of any man in the party to resort to
so infamous a method to hold the reins of
government. This administration has set
aside the will of the people. and when COM
pare their action with that Of the government
of last year l am proud to belong to the
grand old republican party. 1t is time that
every man should take his stand on
the side of truth and justice, and see that
every man that was elected shall be seated
in his seat at the State House. have fought
for four years for my country, and there is
still blood left in me to be spilled in this
cause il it must be.
J. S. Hobbs of Augusta spoke briefly.
The democrats say ''the stalwarts will howl,
let them howl. What can they do about it?"
But there may be more "howling" than they
have bargained for. The voice of the peo-
pie is the voice of God. Wrong and deceit
love darkness and do not seek the light This
work has been done in darkness. and the way
has been paved by the miserable traitor at
the office of leading democratic journal in
the Capital of our State. We have loved
everything about our grand old State; but it
is now in disgrace all over the civilized
world.
l. N. Wadsworth of Manchester spoke,
and expressed the wish to add his indigna-
ton to that of the citizens of Hallowell. We
are law abiding citizens, and these arch
criminals at Augusta claim that they have
acted according to the law and constitution.
Do you know that there was no law to pun
ish JEFF Davis for his nameless crime? So
this crime of the Governor is nameless
crime for which perhaps the constitution pro-
vides no adequate punishment. We cannot
meet it at the ballot box; we must meet it
here and now, and crush it out in the bud.
What is the object of this meeting? Or III
other words "what are you going to do about
it?" They have cast the ballots to the four
winds and hurled the ballot boxes in our
faces. Are we sure that any votes we may
throw hereafter will be counted?
ID. X. Jewell, Esq, president OF the Davis
Club, then responded to call, and said that
Eben f. Pillsbury was at the bottom Of this
whole conspiracy, and expected to be seated
in Congress as the result of the infamous
crime. He said in closing, 81 fight as
voted and the end is not yet"
Geo. F. Bodwell said, where shall we find
answer to the question ''what shall we do