Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-22
Grand Greenback Rally Ina uallowoiI.

Mn. EDITOR; One Of the most ludicrous
ties of Maine, occurred here on Saturday
evening. For several days bills containing
the following announcement had been posted
throughout the city:
"GREENBACK RALLYw
At City Hall, Hallow,ll, saturday evening, July ~
atsP.M.
MAI. I. II. wuLE11E Of Boston,
will speak to the citizens of Hallowell the Gre
back question. Music by the Band
Per Or,icf state Committee
Attracted by the music of the Band Il fair
audience assembled, among those present be-
ing many ladies, The speaker who was rep
resented to be II gentleman of great ability,
one of the stars in the political armament.
was announced by telegram TO come on
the evening train. Mr. O. W. Sims,
President Of the grecnback club here,
went to the depot 10 meet Mai. Will
lette and escort him to the hall, while the
Bands part was to entertain the audience
prior to the arrival of the speaker. BY some
accident the Major alightcd from the train
without being observed by Mr.. Sims, and
made his way to the hall. Although the eve
ming was warm, the Major was clad in thick
ovcrcoat, buckskin gloves and his head sur
mounted by tall hat He came putting and
sweating into the hall. and advanced to the
platform, while the Band performed the piece
"llail TO the Chief" There was no one pres
cnt to introduce him, so taking or bis hat and
great coat and gloves. he came forward to
the table, and gave il three lusty whacks with
his cane, screaming. "Stop that music :" The
music ceased, and the Ma or advancing, said
Il find nobody here to introduce me. and so
! introduce myself | am Major Willette,
and have come here Tonight to address you
on the grcenback question. Cd d---n
the republicans, IT. the d-dcst party
that Cd ever let live on the face of the
earth. Then there's the Maine liquor law .
Cd d--n the Maine liquor law It's the
Cd d-drst law that ever was enacted -
OF course there was very great sensation
among the audience. The ladies were shock
cd at the profanity and left the hall in body
While the Major was going on with his
stream of profanity, Sims came in from the
depot. where he had been to meet the speak
or. He mounted the platform. and stopped
the speaker by grabbing him by the coat tails.
Sims explained to the audience that he had
been looking for Wilcttc. and wanted to
know il this was the man. The Major jumped
up, and said, Yes, d--n you, I'm the
man." and went Oh again with his profanc
and sensclcss talk until nearly all the audi
ence were driven from the hall. Another
pull at the cOat-tail, and the Major" was
squelched. just then DR.. Crooker appeared.
and entertained the audience in half hour ;
speech. Even Crooker couldn't endorse the
Major, but denounced him. The whole affair
was a most protanc and wicked thing.
Honest grcenbackers here are shocked that
the managers of their party on the State
committee should send us speakers of this
character and that they should import such
stuff from Boston. 1t has been an absolute
injury TO the cause here, and everybody is
disguised. The only excuse that can be made
for the Major is that he must have been under
the influence Of liquor linden.
Halowell. july u. 1879