Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-24
The Republican Meeting at Cooper
Institute.
( From the New York Times.


Long before O'Clock last evening streams
of well-dressed people were pouring into
every entrance leading into the great hall o.
the Cooper Union. At 6 80, while the door'
still remained closed, the building was sur
rounded nv waiting throng that blocked thu
wav of passers-bv Inside the hall, at ;3t
o'clock not only was every seat taken, bu
every inch of standing-room was occupied b,
n tightlv-wedged mass of eager humanity
Where the aisles were, solid parallelogram'
of standing men radiated backward in all di
rections amid the broad expanse of heads
which paved the space covered by the chairs
Around the walls was frame six feet deep
and every exit extending out into the stree
was blocked by persons unable to move al
inch nearer the sound of the speakers voices
1t was one of the largest meetings ever held
in Cooper Union. A larger one would have
been physically impossible. 1t was by long
odds the most respectable, most intelligent
and best assembage that ever gathered there
Every face had a character, and each bespoke
absorbing interest in the proceedings. Many
ladies graced the front rows of seats with
their presence. The enthusiasm was intense
and sustained, and when the Chairman alb.
ruptly declared the meeting closed the disap-
pointment of the vast gathering, which had
| remained undiminished in numbers to the
end, was apparent. Among the gentlemen on
the platform were Senator Blaine, candidate
for Lieutenant Governor Hoskins, ex-senator
Fenton Samuel b. Ruggles, Thurlow Weed.
the Hon. Levi p Morton, Collector Merritt,
Surveyor Graham, Postmaster James, the
Hon. Ellis II. Roberts, Gen. Arthur, Gen.
Porter. Gen. McCook, Prof. Dwight, Prof.
Clarke, Luther r. Marsh, Cyrus w. Field,
the Hon. Edwards Pierrepont, Judge Cow
ing, Col. James Otis, Elliot c. Cowdin, the
Hon. Demas Strong and Judge Morgan.
As the hour set for opening approached,
the audience manifested its eagerness by fire.
quent stamping of feet. Then a glimpse OF
Senator Blaine was caught, slowly pushing
his way through the throng behind the pillars
in the rear of the platform. An
immense shout Immediately went up, which
was continued without lull or cessation until
the Senator had taken seat. Then sens-
torian voice, that rang above the roar. called
for three cheers for Senator Blaine. The re-
Spouse was electrical. The cutire assem-
bage leaped to its feet and hats and hand
kerchiefs were waved all over the house,
while the rafters seemed to shake with the
vollev discharged from 10000 throats. Mr.
Blaine partly rose and bowed his acknowl-
Judgments. This was the signal for a wilder
and more prolonged outbreak Cheers,
shouts, whistles, and clapping Of hands and
stamping of feet made a deafening din for
several minutes. When a lull came, cries of
'Blaine! Blaine!" were heard and the entire
audience took up the call. The Senator vio-
lenty shook his head and tried vainly to hide
behind his neighbor. There were shouts of
"Blaine, our next President" and one of
"Blaine. of Ohio" which threw the assem-
blage into commissions of laughter.
A diversion was created by the appear
ance of Gen. Arthur, to whom the plaudits
of the audience were at once transferred.
moment later the form of Secretary Evarts
was deserted struggling through the throng.
Again the assemblage rose to its feet, and
again hats, canes, and hankerchiefs were
frantically waved while cheer succeeded
cheer until the gathering took on the appear
ance of vast assemblage of lunatics. Mr..
Evarts, having succeeded in disentangling
himself from the crowd behind the pillars,
smiled his thanks, and then went about the
platform, shaking hands with Senator Blaine,
ex-Gov. Fenton, and the various other per-
sons who had arrived before him. Every
movement he made was seized upon as the
excuse for q fresh Oulburst of applause.
Three cheers were given for Mr.. Evarts, and
then more for Thurlow Weed who arrived at
that moment. When the veteran arose to
bow in response, the audience fairly howled
with delight.
Gen. Arthurwas obliged to pause few mo-
ments for silence as he stepped forward to
open the meeting In clear voice he nomi-
mated the Hon. Levi p. Morton as Chairman,
and called for the ayes. A laundering aye
rang through the hall When the nays were
asked for the silence was startling by con-
trast. Mr.. Morton was loudly cheered when
he began his address, and was warmly ap-
plauded throughout. As the speaker of the
evening arose and approached the lecture
stand, the previous scenes of wild enthusiasm
were repeated. 1t was several minutes before
he could begin. Mr.. Evarts voice seemed
weaker than usual and to one seated near
him it was difficult to believe that those in
the rear could hear him at all. At times
there were cries of 'louder," which strength
ened this impression. but the speaker was
complimented by the closest attention to the
end, and no one quit the hall during his re-
marks. He spoke an hour and forty-Onc
minutes. As he turned and sat down. the
feelings of the throng once more found vent
in uproarious cheers, amid which uprose
shouts of "Blaine Blaine!" Mr.. Morton
stood up and, having obtained silence, an
nounced that the meeting on Monday evening
next would be addressed by Secretary Sher-
man [applausel and that week later by
Senator Blaine.
This was the signal for more enthusiasts
tic outburst. From every part of the hall
came the shouts of "Blaine! Blaine! The
Chairman stood hesitatingly a moment, and
then, seeing that the audience would be salts
fed with nothing less, turned and spoke a
few words to the Senator from Maine, who
had meantime been sitting apparently I'M
moved by the clamor At this the shouting
redoubled, and as Mr.. Blaine arose the entire
assemblage arose. too, and once more waved
hats and canes and haudkerchiefs in mad
climax of enthusiasm. When they had shout
ed themselves hoarse he made his brief re-
marks. As he turned abruptly about, cries
arose for ''Fenton'' and "Hsskins," but
neither of those gentlemen made any sign.
Chairman Morton rose looked at the audi
ence moment, and then going up to Mr..
Fenton spoke to him, but the latter shook
his head Mr.. Morton stepped briskly for
ward and held uphis hand. The asscmblage.
thinking he was about to introduce the ex-
Governor, was silent. In loud voice he
said, "This meeting now stands adjourned. -
loud shout of disappointment went up all
over the hall, and hundreds sprang upon the
platform to shake hands with the speakers
and congratulate them upon the success OF
their efforts. 1t was fully 10 minutes before