The Portland daily press., 1880-08-07
THE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE.
Senator Blaine Says Garry the Northern
States First and then Go South

AT the Republican conference in New York
Thursday, DIR. Loring of Boston provoked a
long discussion by introducing a proposition
that the National Committee make vigorous
campaign North and South and render the
South all the assistance required. Speeches
were made by w. W. Hicks and ex-senator
Conover of Florida, opposing an abandonment
of the South. Senator Blaine was loudly
called for. Among other things he said:
The carrying on of the campaign is matter
OF intensely practical bu sness Sentiment
nor gush nor bosh do not carry it, but if you
concentrate you; working efforts you do some
thing, and if you scatter them all over you do
nothing. Now, the theory of this effort in its
practical results is first to carry the State of
Maine. The Democrats and Greenpackers
have pushed us hard up there for six years, but
this year, with good. steady work, we are 60
ing to elect the whole five Congressman on the
first Monday of September. presume Ohio
can take care of itself. The strength of the
canvass should be spent in the State of Indi-
ana. and when you get Maine in September,
and Ohio and Indiana in October, you may
then go South, and l think you will get
good and attentive audiences There
is nothing that will create so clear
and distinct an issue in the South
as good Republican majorities in the
North. Let disaster overtake us in Maine, to
uO lOllOWtu NY utledt III INDIANA and bV
close vote in Ohio, and am not anxious to
accept the invitations of my friends here to 90
down in the Southern States and make an ac-
tive campaign. Get Northern States first, nv
friends. and you are very apt to get votes in
the South afterwards and, for myself, be-
lIeve that Republican votes in the South are
that kind of blessings that come when we
don't stand in much need of them. When the
people OF the South see good united all-con-
quering North, then West Virginia, Tennes-
see, North Carolina, Florida and three other
States will not be so difficult to obtain, and if
we win great, sounding, rounding, bounding
victories in the great States of the North, your
votes in the South will then 90 for nothing,
have great faith in the North. believe
the people are awake, and [ believe we are
bound to achieve splendid triumph. The
people are coming to the belief that the time
has not yet come, in the Judgment of the men
who fought the war for the Union to sur
renoer it to the men who fought against it.
That is the belief, and they cannot delude you
by having Hancock with them. Hancock. SO
far as know, is the first man that ever took
part in great war who was afraid to have
the fact mentioned. Read his letter for YOUR
selves and see if he is not. Washington
fought in revolutionary war against Eng
land, but never heard that he didn't like to
hear his conduct referred to. And jackson
and Taylor, too, they fought in different
wars, but never heard that they were afraid
or ashamed about it. But read Hancocks let
ter, and see if he does not say in plain terms,
EXCUSE me, but don't mention that thing; it
is away fifteen years ago, and circumstances
have thrown me into company in which it is
disagreeable to have that matter mentioned"
That, gentlemen, is just what his letter
means If it means anything. Now we have
got as our candidate James A. Garfeld-a
brave volunteer General, who is not at all
afraid about its being known that he was in
the Union army. He is brave, capable, hon
est, experienced, and we propose to follow his
standard to victory in this election, and say
to General Hancock, for whom entertain a
very high regard as a soldier and as a gentle
man, that he has at last been found in bad
company, and we cannot follow him.