Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-28
Grand Republican Dem0nstra-
ton at Watcryille.
THE CROWD NUMBERING SIX
THOUSAND.
The People Anxious to Hear
I'M M ENSE ENTHUSIASM.
Speeches by Secretary Sherman,
Hon. Lot M. Morrill, and Sena-
tor Blaine.

on Saturday afternoon Waterville was the
scene of one of the grandest political demon
STATIONS ever held in Kcnnebec county, if
not, indeed in the State. Early in the af-
ternoon the people began to pour into town,
on foot, by private conveyance and by spec
al trains, until the streets became so crowded
that standing room alone could be found by
moving forward to the spacious college
grounds.
Rcd-hot republicans, cool-headed republi-
cans, luke-warm republicans, republicans
trembling on the brink of greenbackism, and
democrats of nearly every shade. from the
hard shell to the soft she'll, came into tow n to
participate in the meeting There were FIVE
bands Of musc-the Augusta, West Water
Vile. Skowhegan, Watcryille and Fairfield.
Campaign clubs, fully organized and officer
ed. came from these places. And besides
this, special trains brought in the people
from various other points within radius of
thirty miles. including Belfast. Winthrop,
Belgrade Sidney Readfeld Vassalboro, and
other towns surrounding
Al about two o'clock. procession escort
ing the speakers was formed, under the mar
shalship of Col F. +. Heath and marched to
the college campus, where stand had bee n
erected for the speakers and reporters The
crowd of men and women nearly stretched
across the entire western portion ofthe CAM
puS. Good judges estimate the number pres
ent during the opening at six thousand. As
bo, lid -. 4.
crowds we should call this low estimate
Hon. Stephen ID. Lindsey. member Of Con
grcss from this district introduced Secretary
Sherman as the first speaker. Mr.. Shermanre-
ferred his hearers particularly to his Portland
speech, published in nearly all of the news
papers. In that speech might be found the
reasons why the people should stand bv the
Constitution and the republican party
The republican party. he said, has been Crap
ping with greatquestons, as the slavery ques-
ton. the question of sustaining the Union
against armed rebellion, and the question of
maintaining the national finances. While
the republican party has settled all these
questions, one after another. the demo-
cratic party has stood by and grumbed
/ When the large volume of paper money had
| brought on the panic of 1873, we resolved to
make the paper money as good as gold coin
as that would bring prosperity and happiness.
Some thought it was not possible. He had
no quarrel with these, but the republic
can party did do it. in spite of predictions
and all opposition. Every dollar greenback
in the pockets of the laboring man is as good
as the brightest gold dollar that ever came
al, H. 4
the republican party are wiser than all doubts
We have paid S7,900,0O0 L. s. notes in coin.
and have brought about resumption without
contracting the currency All the evils pre-
dicted that would come from resumption have
been avoided. These. like the other proph-
ecies of the democratic party for the past
twenty years, have failed of fulfilment.
He had learned that Smith the greenback
candidate for Governor, was one of these
much abused "bondholders." coupon clip
pers," ''Shvlocks." &c. If that be So, we
have by resumption reduced his income one
third and raised the value of the money in
the hands of the poor man. Why should we
not stand by that? We have paid $3.50 600
900 of the bonds since resumption. Every
object that the honest greenbackor has sought
has been accomplished by the republican
party.
He proceeded to show further the good eff
fects of resumption on returning prosperity.
and then took up a circular giving garbled
extracts from his speeches in the United
States Senate, showing in most mastery
manner that he stood bv the sentiments ut
tered there This dodge of the opposition
was turned upon them with wonderful and
| telling effect.
The Secretary spoke for three-quarters of
an hour, and then was obliged to take the
cars for Bangor, whore he was to speak in
the evening.
Hon. Lot NJ Morrill, was the next speaker.
He commenced by referring to the time.
twcnty-thrce years ago, when he stood before
an audience similar to this, and actuated by
about the same feelngs-at the time when
the democratic party of Maine endorsed a
course of policy that would cause slavery to
spread over the free territories. There rose
up protest which was outspoken and deter
mined. The people of Maine rose up, and
the democratic party went under; and it had
remained under ever since except perhaps it
cropped out little last year. Mr. Morrill,
then traced the disoyal course of the demo
cratic party through the war. and showed that
the questions growing out of the struggle
were now forced upon us. and were being re-
sisted now by both the democratic and green
back parties. He closed by abiding to the
financial question. saving that ANYTHING that
possess intrinsic value is cheat and lie.
The greeubacker, the advocate of fiat money,
goes against the history and experience of the
world.
Loud calls were made for Senator Blaine,
who appeared. amid the greatest enthusiasm.
He spoke for twenty minutes his remarks
bristling with sharp points that called forth
cheer after cheer from the audience. We de-
sst from giving our readers report. the
points in the speech will be used by the Sen
ator in the present campaign
This closed the meeting, which cannot he
eXcelled anywhere in the State, for numbers
enthusiasm or interest The people stood in a
compact mass for hours. drinking in the truths
advanced by the several speakers.
We are sure that the results of the Water
Vile meeting will be demonstrated by the
September election, and that. in the language
of Senator Blaine. '"Fhis will he found to be
bearing year with the republican party"
Fairfield to the Front.
Davis Club of 100 strong, was organized
here Friday night.
Presdent-G NJ Twichcll