The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-08-31
Our Big Meeting.
How 1t Looks to Philadelphia Paper,


A staff correspondent of the Philadelphia
Press writes as followsfrom Portland:
1t must be confessed that there is magic in
oreat name. Ever since the campaign opened
in this State there has been an indifference ON
the part of Republicans that was alarming.
New hands were in charge of the party ma
chjnerv They were good hands, to be sure,
nut the names lacked the prestige OF successful
leadership and the people hesltated and in
quired For twenty-five years single man
had directed the Republican masses OF Maine,
until his name became sylhpo II u success III
every household in the State. His advice was
accented as party law. No one stepped to
ouestion when he mapped the plan of battle,
and he got willing service or leaders and fol
lowers alike A sad accident took him from
nuhlic life. and he dropped the reins of leader
shin like a general struck upon the battlefield.
The officers who came to take his place under
took to rally the forces for the assault. but the
nrestiee of successful name made the response
half-hearted and hating 1t took but few
days to show what was needed TO bring the
olG-time enthusiasm to the rank and Tile. The
cd leader was called, and tonight he appeared
in his accustomed place. | could net picture
how he was welcomed. While me best names
in Maine could not draw crowd, he gathered
them by the thousands, and no building in the
State was half large enough to hold the people
that begged to get within sound Of his voice.
The great hall in which he spoke tonight holds
1000 people, and it was filled to overlooking
within fifteen minutes after the doors opened.
For hours therea ter steady stream of people
came only to be turned away and probably
more than ton thousand citizens failed to get
farther than the sidewalk of the place in
which he spoke. / have seen many great
meetings in that hall, when John Sherman,
Zach Chandler and even Blaine himself spoke
but never such gathering as this. 1t was not
the great throng tonight, but its spirit that
was impressive. The want of his leadership
had been SO apparent that the masses seemed
anxious to show him how they looked foe his
name and presence in this important and
doubtful fight. If there is place in Maine
where Blaine and his methods are antagonized
| it is Portland. Therefore this demonstration
| is all the more significant. This is the place
| that has ever found fault with his oombstive-
| ness, and wanted to compromise when he in
| sisted on fight. 1t is the one place in the
State that has questioned his policy in party
management, hoped for better results from the
still hunt that has taken the place far of his
aggressive assaults upon the enemy. That is
| why it is significant when many thousands of
the foremost people in all the walks of life
| come out and make loud demonstrations as he
walks upon the platform to give heart to the
| fight, and transforms the contest from walt
| ing race to furnishing push
| General Gibson of Ohio had the delicate
! task of opening the meeting, and holding the
| almost suffocated crowd until Mr. Blaine ap-
L
| waiting thousands good natured for quite a
| time When Blaine had arrived and las
| ready he concluded. The band played and the
ex-Secretary pushed through the crowd on the
stage, and amidst the widest demonstrations
| from men and women alike, faced the audi
| ence. 1t was such an ovation as few men
| have ever received in the country. Ting whole
| audience arose and men cheered themselves
| hoarse while the women waved their handker-
| chiefs until literally tired out. When the en-
| thusiasm subsidized Mr.. Blaine spoke. He new
| or appeared TO better advantage, either in
speech or presence. He seemed in perfect
health, and spoke with great vigor. He left
| the discussion of National topics, and struck
| out upon State issues. He assailed Governor
| Plaisted without STINT and in few
| moments changed the whole feature
| of the canvass. He was generous with
| all the party leaders and boldly an
nounced that anator Frye must be reelected.
| This produced great applause, for Frye is pop.
| ular. He spoke for an hour or more with great
| power, and when the meeting closed, all were
ready to say that this has been red letter day
| for the Republicans of the Pine Tree State,
#. A. B.