Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-03
Great Republican Meet
ing at Litchield.
5000 People Present !
THE LARGEST MEETING HELD IN
KENNEBEC COUNTY.
90 Towns and Cities
Represented.
4 BANDS OF MUSIC!
Big Delegations from Gar
diner, Manchester UHd
MOH1i OMtH.
4 BANDS OF MUSIC!
R0USIN6 SPEECHES BY SENA-
TORS ALLISON & BLAINE.
Immense Enthusiasm.

The republican, meeting held at Liichfcld,
yesterday. eclipscs any meeting before held
in kcnnebec county during this campaign.
1t was astonishing to witness such an inn
mense crowd, gathered at so quiet country
place. in 30 short space of time. The meet
ing was held at Litchfield Fair Grounds, near
which several roads meet that lead out into
the western and middle part of kenncbcc
county, and also into Androscoggn and sag
adahoc counties. thus making the point OF
meeting central and convenient of access for
Il large territory. The Fair Grounds furn-
ished ample and convenient room for the vast
assembly of people while all the roads in ev-
cry direction, and the space around the side
of the Fair Ground, also large piece OF
woods in the rear. were occupied with an in
Vulnerable caravan of horses and vehicles of
all sorts.
The republicans of Litchfield did all in
their power to accommodate the great throng.
The excellent spirit and good judgment with
which they acquitted themselves, deserves
special praise. Their preparations were
large and well made. Even the ladies of the
town assisted in decorating the Fair building,
where they also prepared sumptuous COLA
ton for the four Bands present, and the
speakers and others.
From Gardiner there came IA procession
threc-fourlhs Of "A mile long. Many of the
carriages were of unique style, and all the
larger ones were decorated with aags. large
and small, and made a gay appearance. The
Gardiner Band accompanied the procession,
and walked up the country with lively and pa
triotic airs. Among the large teams was one
from the Gardiner Spring and Axle Co. one
owned by Richards 6 Co. of Gardiner Mill, /;
one by Lawrence Brothers of South Gardi-
ner, which was a large battcau on wheels,
deliberately dccked with bunting and covered
with large American flag, with the name of
Daniel +. Davis conspicuous at the front.
Another large carriage had upon its side the
words The Smith Family" 'IIonest Mon
ey," and other inscriptions. The procession
was a splendid representation of the stalwart
rcpnblicanism of Gardiner.
The Manchester and Monmouth delega-
tons also came into town in united process
| sion, which was about the same length as
that from Gardiner. The Monmouth Band
and Manchester Band accompanied them Ii
was a fine exhibition of the sturdy ycomanry
of those two fine towns.
There were at least twenty towns and cities
represented at the meeting. Good jud yes cs-
tmated the number of persons present at
5000. Seats were prepared for 20o0 persons.
and after these were filled there were. it was
estimated. three times as many not seated as
were seated. 1t was an immense crswd. the
largest of the campaign in kennebcc.
The stand for the speakers was erected di-
rectly in front of the building belonging to
the Fair Grounds. 1t and the end of the
building in the rear. were elegantly decorated
by Prof. +. A. Prentice of Gardiner. The
stand was covered with American flags. On
the front part above the speakers was a large
shield, with pointed flags. On each side of
that were two eagles. one bearing in its bcak
"E Purbus Unum - the other, Union For
ever" Small flags OF every nation ran from
the top of the building to each point of the
stage. Banners OF every organization. Mao
sonic, s., bearing their appropriate notices.
were among them, some of these French
flags. In front of the speakers was suspend
ed from a pole and flag staff on the building
a large flag, having ut its top, For Govern
or, Daniel F. Davis
There were four bands present, the Gardi-
ner. Richmond, Manchester and Monmouth
ne latttE WIS tHipioNcu ny inc I.ltcHHtiu re-
publicans, and the others accompanied the
delegations from their respective towns.
At the appointed hour the meeting was
called to order. The Marshal of the day was
w 5. Snow. Oramandel Smith of Itch
field, was chosen President of the meeting.
The following vice Presidents were chosen:
Litchiied-Elias Plimpton, John Hancock.
Rev. }. I. lIawes. Samuel Smith, William
King, Hamilton Bukcr, Josiah True, Dea.
VIM. Chase, Joseph Robinson, c. II. Robin
son, James Chase. Arthur Beal, John Patten.
d. S. Springer, Robert Edgcomb, Rev. s.
Purinton.
Monmou,h--Geo. H. Andrew. James G.
Blossom.
Augustus. J, Chadbourne, Gen. b. +.
Harris, w. II. Bigelow.
Topsham-D. l.. Smith.
W. Gdriiner--Rev. B. Goodrich, W. =.
Haskell.
Farmingdale-Allon Rice Reuben Neal.
Gardiner-Maj J. +. Richards, Capt. +. ID.
Haley, Z. Barstow, j. NJ. Larrabce.
Pittston--T. Stevens, II. A. Bodwel.
Auburn-Gco. Wing, 5. W. Jack
Richmord-A. II. Jewett.
Bowdoinham-Capt Geo. Whitmorc.
Senator Allison was the first speaker intro
duced. He spoke chiefly upon the financial
question, making clear, solid and ringing
speech which was received with great APP
plause. Mr. Allison is an excellent speaker,
as well As a sound thinker, and wins golden
opinions from our Maine people wherever
he appears. Mr. Allison spoke about an hour
and IA half and was followed by Mr.. Blaine,
who occupied about the same space OF time
that NJ. Allison did.
Mr.. Blaine never spoke to better accept
ance than yesterday. He also confined him
self mostly to financial questions. He aimed
make himself clearly understood. and mos,
happily succeeded, as the rounds of applause
at his telling points testified. The vast audi
ence gave him the most perfect attention tc
the close, though they stood there under the
blazing sun for four hours, in one of the hot
test days of the season.
This meeting at Litchfeld will pass as the
best Of the campaign. in this section of the
state. Its effect will be felt next Monday.
We expect glorious reports from all the To-
calities which it Immediately affected.