Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-02
Mr.. Blaine,s Meetings.


The series Of meetings being attended
By Mr.. Blaine throughout the State is of
very remarkable character. They are
without precedent in the annals of Maine.
and will long be remembered by our peo-
pie. At his first meeting. in Portland, the
most spacious hall in that city was packed
20 full that every inch VI room where per-
sons could stand was occupied, and every
passage and ante-room where the sound
OF the speakers voice could be even i'm
perfectly heard was crowded during the
evening, while thousands went away who
could not Obtain sight or sound of what
was taking place within. And Portland
ID city Of which it is asserted that it is
not friendly to Mr.. Blaine.
The next meeting OF the series was al
Bangor. ON the following evening. There
the scene at Portland was r-peated-the
largest hall 10 the city dens.ly pacxed
and thousands going away who were M
able u get within hearIDgof Mr.. Biaine's
voice.
The meeting at Maranocook the mex
day was really a phenomenon in pub
hc meetings. The grove IN which II
was held. far away from any village, with
not even dwelling near. was sudden,
peopled by an immense thr"ng. poured III
By long trains Of cars from east and west.
and by innumerable teams that filed the
woods adjacent on both sides Of the lake.
Competent judges estimate the crowd at
twenty thousand. There were three
stands occupied by eminent speakers. but
even then there were many who could not
hear word that was uttered. The cen
trial stand at which Mr.. Blaine WIS placed
was surrounded by dense and wide-ex-
tending crowd. on every side, all the
afternoon. Mr.. Blaine, being President
of the meeting did not intend to address
the assemblage at any length, but after
some other speakers had spoken, the
grove rang with such tempest of shouts
for Blaine Blaine! that he was compelled
to address them. II Is unnecessary to add
that bis speech fired the crowd with en-
thusiasm and that it was received with
genuine thunders of applause.
At Old Orchard, the following day, an
other great crowd assembled, estimated at
seven thousand, and gave Mr.. Blaine
splendid ovation. obliging him to speak
to them though he was suffering with ex-
treme hoarseness and scarcely able to
make himself heard at first by those in
his immediate vicinity.
What we have already seen where Mr..
Blaine has spoken thus far will, we have
no doubt, be continued and repeated at
every place where he is yet to speak. The
desire to see and hear him is all-pervad-
ing. His popularity in Maine never was
80 great as at the present time. And let
1t be remembered that this does not come
from any office or patronage which he
yields in State or Nation. or even as
member OF the State Committee. for he
holds no office whatever, and instead of
directing the campaign as in years past is
doing duty as a private. speaking when
and where the State Committee directs.
There are newspapers and persons who
speak OF Mr.. Blaine's waning popularity
since he became a private citizen, but the
marvellous meetings taking place here in
Maine where he speaks have convinced
many OF this class, and confounded and
silenced others who are determined not to
be convinced.
MIR. Blaine's speeches are doing i'm
mense good. His argument against Plais-
ted Is irresistible. 1t convinces every
honest man that Plaisted is in rebellion
against the laws and constitution The
comparison he makes between Paisted
and Senator Fessenden is precisely to the
point, unanswerable. and leaves the ego
tistic. autocratic, rebellious Governor
writhng in disgrace and feeling that he is
doomed candidate. His reference to
national matters and to the career and
character Of the republican party is the
work of master. worthy to be
repeated at every freside and
studied by every school-boy. 1t is
evident from his speeches that his mental
faculties as well as his personal populari-
ty are increasing in strengthened waning
and that he has many years of useful
ness and honor before him. No man is
more surprised or gratifed than is MIR.
Blaine at the immense popular demonstra-
tons which have attended his meetings in
this campaign. They are all the more
grateful because spontaneous and sincere
tributes of respect and admiration.
General Gibson who accompanies Mr..
Blaine is a splendid orator aud is doing
splendid service for the republican party.
Everywhere he is mentioned in terms of
highest praise. and when he returns to
Ohio will bear with him the esteem of
hosts of friends made in his Maine cam
paign.
The opposition talk confidently of
re-electing Plaisted. but the immense
meetings which have attended Mr.. Blaine's
announcements this week. signify that the