Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-23

with the people TO the fullest extent in the
feelings that prompted the call for the meet
ing. In his best judgment the meeting was
perfectly Unsuitable. Yea, more, it was de-
manded that the people all over the State
should come together. We had hoped for
better things. 1t was exceedingly hard to
make ourselves believe that any one would
dare to perpetrafc such base outrage. 1t
is not a light matter to be laughed over for q
few moments and then dismiss it. II this
outrage is allowed to succeed, it will strike
death to our elective franchise. 1t was the
same spirit which prompted us to fight four
years to maintain President elect. He be-
lieved that out of this chaos and darkness
righteousness and good government would
exist.
James Wright Esq. said: Once before in
his life there had been a struggle between
freedom and despotism, when the flag of our
nation was torn down at Sumter. And now
again we are called upon to fight for our
liberty at the ballot box. There is usurpa-
ton at the capital of our State? BY whom?
chance Governor and tramp council, a
party without a platform, excepting one
plank that. hatred to the republican party
and republican institutions. This party got
into power in 1873. Howp voice from
the audience answers, by fraud. He was not
in condition to say it was not so. Their acts
u
ury will not stay with them. will not receive
money from the government under their rule.
1t is said there is one lawyer in the Council;
he was sorry for it. The lawyer had no no.
toriety. excepting that of a trucking p0liti-
clan. We are asked What are you going to
do about being counted out?' lie hoped there
was some way to work out oft. He was mis-
taken in the temper of the people of Maine, if
they would stand it one year. What will become
of the Governor and Council? When Caesar
would usurp the rights of his country, there
was a Brutus. Judas sold his Lord. and his
bowels gushed out. There was a Benedict
Arnold. Our army succeeded and we have a
country to-day. But how long? He would
not trust one Of those fellows at the State
house as a sexton in a country graveyard.
C.. II. Kilby offered the sentiment ex expressed
in Hon. S. j. Chadbourne's letter to Howard
Owen of Augusta Gov. Carcclon and Psalms
100 and the latter part of the Sth verse. ''Let
his days be few and another take his Office"
s. J. Walton, Esq, made the the closing
speech. He said the question was not one of
party. 1t is not whether republicans, demo-
Gratis or greenbackers shall be counted in.
but that those who are legally elected shall
be counted in. The republicans had legal
majority of SO in both branches. The Cover
ernor and Council have decided that whatev-
er law stands in their way is unconstitutional.
They have counted out Skowhegan and Fair
field. In that placetheir first return gave too
many republican votes, and the corrected re-
turn not votes enough. They have counted
out Dead River and Carratunk. Pennington
and the small plantation of Perkins. The
vote of all of these small places does not af-
feet the democratic majority. In no case
have they counted out democrats or green
back representatives. Mr.. Pillsbury gives
,he reason why there were no errors in the
democratic returns, that they were more care
full in making them up. They have been so
cheated by the republicans from year to year.
that they have learned to be re,y exact.
The whole proceeding is downright fraud.
prominent democrat told him six weeks
ago that the Gov. and Council were going to
count US out. Now what are we going to do
about it? We will say to our representative
go to Augusta and we will stand by you, by
all peaceable means. and if that does no give
US our rights, then stand by at all events.
The meeting closed with three rousing
cheers for Governor Daniel F. Davis and
three more for II. S. Steward and to await
the result Of January eth. 1880.