The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-07-05
Flag Raising at Cape Elizabeth.


The Democrats of Cape Elizabeth threw
Hancock and English flag to the breeze Sat-
urday night in front of the residence of Hon.
W. G. Davis. few rockets were sent up
amid the cheers of crowd of boys who will be
addressed some ten years hence as "voters of
Maine.''
The rain commenced to fall about the time
that the flag went up, and it descended upon
abovt fifty umbrellas covering the heads of
some seventy or so of men and women. By
tacit consent the wall in front of the grounds
OF Mr. Davis was given up to the ladies, who,
seated there, with umbrellas over their heads,
formed a line of about three rods each side of
the tree, from in front of which it was rumor-
ed that the speeches would be made
AT last the grand moment came. ''Iift it"
was the order that an earnest Democrat tried
to obey, but alas, his legs became entangled in
the ropes, and the flag had to wait in its up
ward journey until he could untangle himself
AG last the banner reached the limited eleya-
ton that it was destined to obtain, and
Democrat, who ought to be candidate next
year for third selectman called out 'Three
cheers for Hancock and Englis'', now, one,
two three" and he gave one cheer and then
stopped. 1t was reported, and may be said to
have been generally believed, that as soon as
the cheer was given the orators would appear,
and painful and wet pause followed for about
five minutes, when Mr.. Davis, Col. Sweat and
Mr.. Bird came to the place on the wall reserv-
ed for them, and the first named gentleman
announced that Mr.. Bird would make the first
speech. Mr.. Bird closed his umbrella, and
standing in the rain Ito the great damage of
his shirt 'front.' proceeded to speak.
He wanted, he said to congratulate the
great Democratic party over the prospect be-
fore them. For the first time in twenty years
you are about to elect President. For twenty
years the Democratic party has been defeated
at the polls (Here Col. Sweat looked grieved
and a murmurEof "Tilden" ran through the
crowd) Gen. Hancock, the hero of the Next
can war Che served as a second iieutenant) the
great soldier OF the late war, a war that sent
thousands OF Democrats from their homes
(probably to escape being drafted) homes to
which God grant that many returned (They
did, their Uncle William who resides in
Canada having sent them back about the time
that Lee surrendered) Gen. Hancock is our
candidate, but will not detain you as it
rains the speaker was thoroughly wet
through) and know that you are anxious to
hear the distinguished gentleman (Col. Sweat
here smiled gently who is to follow me-
Col. L.. ID. M. Sweat stepped forward and
said that it gave him great pleasure to be pres
emit and to speak. hat are we here for? (All
who didn't bring umbrellas were there to get
wet) This flag represents more than the
mere bunting. 1t is what we fought for dur
ing the late war. (What regiment did you
serve in, Colonel?) That flag is to-day to be
found waving, l suppose in every State and
territory in the United States. Col. Sweat
here sketched the history of the Democratic
nominations from 1856 downward, and admit
ted that many mistakes had been made, for
instance, when Horace Greeley, "who might
nave been very good man, but who was
mighty poor candidate" was nominated in
lo72 Net's see, didn't Gen. Anderson, at the
City Hall meeting, refer to that same nomina-
and repentance?) In 1876 Hancock would
have been nominated had the people not de-
manded REORGANIZATION of reformer. (Han-
cock isn't reformer them, and we gave them
Samue! j. Tilden, who was elected (Mr Bird
contradicted there). AS my young and learned
friend has said, the sectional issue is over.
Oils young and learned triend' didn't say
anything of the kind.) The "dirty shirt" has
been put out to wash, and now God help the
Republican party. (The Republican party
white shirt will kill it, Colonel) The differ
ence between Grant and Hancock, in my opin-
ion, is this:-Had both been citizens of South
Carolina when the war began Grant would
have entered the Confederate services Zap
plause) and Hancock would have caught the
standard of the republic and would have Joined
the army of the Union. (He would probably
have been shot at the first cross roads.) We
shall elect Hancock. Applause from small
boy behind him:) But will not speak longer.
1 could go on for some time it is true. (three
weeks at least,) but Itrefrain. But if during
the campaign you need any speaking (they
WON'T will hold myself ready to respond at
any time to your call. Col. Sweat also ad-
mitted that Hancock did as much for the
Union cause as Gen. Mcclellan himself
Mr.. Davis led in the giving of three cheers
for the candidate and three for the speakers,
and the meeting adjourned.