The Portland daily press., 1880-04-02


Board of Aldermen, President Fisk of tn,
Common Council, County Attorney Coombs
President Harrington of the Casco Bank, Cit
Solicitor Hale, Messrs. Eben Cory, J. e. Car
ter, Clark Barker and many others. In fact
| there appeared to be, as we have said, abou
all the prominent Republicans of the cit,
present, and when they assembled in the up
per hall they overlooked its capacity of $50.
Precisely at o'clock Governor Davis, &C
companied by President Drummond of thu
League, entered the room and was received
with hearty applause. He took his station il
| the reception room where for twenty minutes
the company passed before him and were in
dividually introduced. The League then as
cended to the main hall above, where the eve
ning's exercises commenced with the splendid
| singing of "Glory. glory Hallelujah!' by Mr.
Porteous, (the whole assembly uniting in the
chorus) which was vigorously encored At
the close of the singing the Governor, accom-
panied by President Drummond, Hon. Lot. M
| Morrill,, Mayor Senter, Marshal Murray, Hon.
| Sidney Perham and others, entered the room
amid loud applause and were escorted to seat.
on the platform, the whole audience rising.
| Secretary W. T. Small then introduced the
newly elected President, Hon. Josiah. II
Drummond, who was cordially received and
who spoke as follows:
PRESIDENT DRUMMoND's ADDRESS.
Gentlemen-On account of absence from
| town 1 have not until now had the pleas
ure OF meeting the League and personally &C
cepting the position with which you have hon
ored me, and signifying my approval of the
principles you have organized to support.
When the war closed we all supposed thai
the principle of the Republican party, that the
United States is a nation was established
so firmly that it's truth would never again be
questioned. But the battle echoes had hardly
died away ere the pernicious doctrine of State
Sovereignty was revived and insisted upon
with all the old-time arrogance of its support
ers: The Republican party believe in the SOW.
ereignty of the people, and while it leaves te
States and other municipal organizations to
administer, in their own way, affairs in which
they alone are Interested, it insists that the
whole people of the nation shall have voice
in the settlement of questions in (Which the
whole people are interested, whenever or un-
der whatever circumstances these questions
may arise. Among the questions in which it
holds that the people are interested are those
of education, a free and honest ballot, and es-
pecially equal rights under the law and pro-
lection in the exercise of their rights of every
citizen, however humble, in every spot over
We had supposed that by the amendments
to the constitution these rights had been Sc
cured; but we find not only that they are de-
MED, but even that the validity of the amend
ments themselves is challenged.
We had supposed, too, that the issuing OF
government notes, as money, was justified only
by the overwhelming exigencies of war, and
that upon the return of peace the money of
the country would have in itself the actual
value it claimed to represent; but absurd old
theories that have been many times tried and
invariably resulted in disaster are pushed for
ward and vehemently urged for adoption by
the people.
We had supposed with good reason that the
very name of our State was synonym for eco.
nemical and honest administration of public
affairs; but we have seen a set of desperate
adventurers, accidentally in power, undertake
to thwart the deliberate verdict of the people
by the commission of almost the entire cata-
logue OF "offences against public justice"
Without further enumeration of the ques-
ton now commanding the attention of the
people it is evident that the mission of the
Republican party is not yet ended. 1t is
evident that the success of their principles is
not yet firmly established.
1t is, therefore, wise that measures be taken
to impress upon the public mind the I'M.
portance of these principles and to keep alive
in the public heart an earnest attachment to
them. For this purpose, this League has been
organized, and hail it as an auxiliary in the
FORMULATION of Republican principles.
believe, also, it will be of great local i'm
portance. In the past our city has scarcely
had its due influence in the politics of the
State. 1t is the characteristic of commercial
cities, that their citizens are SO thoroughly en-
crossed in business as to neglect public affairs
The consequence is that by lack of concentra
ton of opinion and effort, their influence is
not felt. But this organization affords oppor
tunity for discussion of questions, comparison
of views and union of endeavor.
l, therefore, congratulate you upon the
formation of this Loyal League-loyal to the
constitution and laws, loyal to the sovereignty
of the people, loyal to the equal rights Of the
citizen, loyal to free aud honest ballot, Loyal
to sound currency, and loyal TO the best in
terests of our city and State.
Mr.. Drummond's speech was frequently in
terrupted with loud applause.
Mr.. Drummond then introduced Gov. Davis
who was received with long-continued ap
plause.
GOV. DAVIS SPEECH
Mr.. President and Gentlemen ot.the League.
l am very glad to see and to shake hands with
you and I believe have done it. daughter.
[ don't know about making a speech but I will
say few words. You start out here as Repub
lcans. You are disguised with the attempts Of
the fusion party to steal state.s The printed
declaration, have before me, states this fact
Maine men, organizing as you do in the prin.
cipal city of Maine, will exert an influence
that will be felt throughout the State, and will
prove OF immense value in upholding the prin
quarter of a century. An allusion has been
made to the set of adventurers, called party,
that lately endeavored to subvert the will OF
the people of the State. 1 had little expert
ence with that party. Naughter) Well that
party started out as the party of reform and
in, fhnrr
suit against the railroads for a tax of $4,000
which was paid in. They used that up. Last
year the free high school tax was suspended
and looking over the accounts of that Govern
or and Council, we find they have drawn out
over $4,000 and charged it to free high
schools. They left us deficiency of $50, 600
to shoulder when we started out. They have
compelled us to put on an extra tax this wear
of a mill, which will give us 1921, 600 and out
OF that we shall pay $4,000 bonded debt, pro-
prison debt, and all the expenses this fusion
party have put on us to settle up their late
trouble. So this fall we must show the people
where every dollar goes and that, accompany
ing the objects stated above, there must be in
Cluded $4,000 for the valuation commission
and $4,000 for the row the fusion party has
brought on the State We are having some
sums come in unexpectedly. We got 81 ,OOO
the other day, and yesterday 1925, came in.
(Laughter) There is prospect other sums
Will CoiHo III TiSHt along. IHoy Will naturally
belong to the treasury and we shall get them.
The gentleman who has preceded me spoke
of the doctrine Of State rights, and that toe
in republic where every man is king This
question is the most difficult to settle. We
thought we settled 1t in the early days of the
country, in the days of jackson, and again in
1861, but after those three presumed SETTLE
ments it has again forced itself upon us. We
cannot wink it out of sight. We must meet it.
1t simply means whether every mans vote can
be honestly cast and counted Till that is de-
cided the question is not settled, for it has
come to mean not how many votes are thrown
but how can they be counted. 1t was left for
this fusion party in Maine to set precedent
for every doubtful State and if they had been
successful, no matter if you should elect
Grant or James G. Blaine prolonged cheer
ing), your will would be diregarded. 1t was
left for us way down in Maine to decide this
matter, after cropping along without knocking
off anybody's hat, and it will remain decided for
ever, and the history of the late difficulty here
in Maine as settled by the Republican party,
will make landmark down through future
ages.
Mr. Porteous then sung the Star Spangled
Banner - aocomnanied NV Mr. o;,,h4o,,