The Portland daily press., 1882-08-29
TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 20.
THE MEETING LAST NIGHT.
y
A Magnificent Ovation to Mr..
Blaine.
GEN. GIBSON TAKES THE AUDIENCE
BY STORM.
Hundreds Fail to Obtain an Entrance to
City Hall.
THE MEETING LAST NIGHT.
Clear, Candid and Convincing Discussion
of State and National Issues, by
Mr.. Blaide.

Clear, Candid and Convincing Discussion
of State and National Issues, by
Mr.. Blaide.
The largest political meeting ever held IN
Portland was held in City Hall last evening.
By six O'Clock all the seats in the gallery were
taken; by seven the settees in the body of the
hall were occupied, and by half-past seven it
was work of difficulty to make ones way
through the wide corridors In the audience
room there was not even a standing place.
Tie ante-rooms were throngec, aEde The stairs
leading to the hall densely poopled. The de-
sire to hear Mr.. Blaine and the eloquent Ohio
orator was extravagant, and the would-bs au-
ditors stood on each others toes even SO far out
as the steps, Only those who came very early
got seats. Hundreds stood through the even
ing, and were glad of the chance. Many other
hundreds, finding it impossible to get into the
hall, turned disappointedly away. Had the
building been twice as large it would have
been filled. 1t was packed to its utmost Ca
pacity.
When Mr.. W. M. Marks, chairman of the
City committee, called the meeting to order, at
eight o'clock, men were still striving to get
into the hall. More failed to get in than Sc
cured seats. Mr.. Mnrks called the Hon. Geo.
W. Woodman to the chair. That gentleman
accepted the position, and after brief and hap
by remarks, introduced Gen. William III. Glib
son of Ohio. On coming to the front of the
platform, Gen. Gibson was received with long
continued applause. He spoke as follows:
GEN. GIBsoN's SPEECH.
No party is perfect-no church is faultless;
and, but one blameless teacher ever dignified
our earth with his presence. We shall not in
sst that the Republican party is wholly good,
nor claim that the Democrats, Unionists, Fo-
sionists, Greenbackers, or Independents are
wrong and rotten in all things. We shall be
careful how we question the motives or I'M
pugn the patriotism of parties and of individ-
uals. And, in our discussion. we shall not an
imadvert upon candidates, for as a rule, par
ty selects good citizens and representative men
to lead in every contest for supremacy. On
the 11th of September, the people of Maine
must pass Judgment upon the issues Joined be-
tween the Republican party and all the parties
and factions that stand against it's pretentions.
should be an intelligent endorsement OF that
party most clearly committed to the best inte :
ests Of the whole country. Few are concerned
as to mere party successj all are interested In
the wise administration of the government,
and in Whatever pertains to the welfare of the
citizen, and the prosperity, and renown OF the
Republic.
Our age has been one of startling events,
and bewildering advancement, in all that CON-
Germs the race. Change has followed change.
and the whole map of Christendon has been
recast. The genius of unefaetion has CONSOLE
dated Germany, the legions of Emanuel have
swept over the seven hilled city, and the gov
eminent of united Italy, issues its DEGREES from
the Roman palace Of the Caesars. The bloody
usurper of the liberties of France, was hurried
from his palace, and the empire was over
thrown in blood at Sedan, while our ancient
allies, the French people glory in Republican
liberty. In oar own country the changes wrought
have been more marvellous and important,
than in any other part of the earth, and here,
new and sublime proof has been exhibited OF
the fact that Man IS but little lower than tha
Angels. For one score aud two years the Re-
publican party has controlled the dest1nles,
and shaped the policy of the!goyernment, and,
while responsible for failures as a party, 1t
can claim the credit and glory of all successes
Let US proceed with deliberationl The party
is on trial. 1t points to its history without a
blush, and challenges enquiry. How has the
country advanced and prospered, during these
years of Republican supremacy?
Ours was the first government ever organ
jzed and the basis of a written constitution,
except that of the Hebrew commonw ealth |;
and, among the declared objects of the fathers
in forming it was ito promote the general
welfare" No political part, is worthy of con-
fidence hat is not committed to "the general
welfare" and there is no way of judging of a
party so satisfactory as by its deeds its acts,
It's history When the Republican parry came
int IVA N lad Ipn
eighth slaves and but 16, 100000 of national
wealth. half that of Great Britain. An in
surrectiouary government had been organized,
and the Union had been shat cred by an arm
ed rebellion, that our Demo cratic friends in
their conventions, declared we had neither
the constitutional right nor the physical ability
to crush. The Republican party thought
otherwise, and as the aims, organized under
their policy, in spite of Democratic oppostion
event marching on" the fetters dropped from
the limbs of every slave, and at last, Phil
Sheridan rode down rebellion under the hoofs
of his horses at Appomattox. AS a result of
this policy, we now have a Union with one
constitution, and one flag sustained by the in
allegiance of thirty-ejght States and eight
virgin territories
Our population has increased from 80, ,000, ,Oco
to 81 100000, and our national wealth aggre-
gates 800 600 000, 600, exceeding that OF Eng
land by $6 000, 900, ,Cc1, and that of France by
$13 900 O00,0 900. 1t may not di ecty concern the
general welfare that under the energizing poll
cy of the Republican party, the old world has
been linked to the new by the mysterious ca
BILE, laid through ocean depths, or that distant
families converse by means of the telephone,
but it is of public interest to realize that since
the party came to power, 75,0CoCc0 miles of
railways have been built, linking the two
oceans, and laundering thr, ugh every valley
to observe the wisdom of the Republican policy
towards the humblest and poorest OF mankind.
One of the first acts of the party was to pass
the free homestead act, giving to all who will
occupy it farm of 100 acres. If the farmer of
Maine is tired of the rocks and rigid winters,
he can select home ia any place between the
Missouri and Pacific, between the Gulf OF Cali
fornia and British Columbia.
In 1860 our credit suffered by Democratic
foles until its per cent. bonds were u cents
below par, and our debt then less than $780,
100000. Now, with debt increased tan fold
by war debt increased to save the nation our
credit is better than any power on earth and
our per cent. bonds are being taken as fast
as printed.
In 1860 our manufacturing industries were
paralyZsd. Now, there is activity in business
and labor for the millions, while the products
of our mills and shops find market in all the
nations of the earth. Labor is rewarded, as in
no other country. Agriculture has prospered
as never before, and instead of producing 160,-
Geo 600 bushels af wheat as in 1860 we have
harvested this year 560,CJ0,Co0 bushels, and
will gather 2,Coo, ,000 900 of corn.
There is prosperity 1t has come to us un-
der Republican policy! You are, now, asked
to retire that party from power! Has it been
uDfaithful?
He referred to integrity in revenue collections
and in all the departments of the public SER
vice, to the rapid reduction of taxes, and to
the various charges of extravaganza, &C., made
by demagogues for the sake OF votes.
rs Gen. Gibson concluded his speech cheers
in the corridors announced Mr. Blame. When
he was seen coming up the steps leading to the
platform the auditors sprang to their feet and
for many minutes the hall rang with shouts.
The applause subsidized for a few moments, but
broke out afresh when the chairman introdu-
ced the Ex-Secretary as zone of the greatest
leaders the Republican party ever had, one OF
the greatest orators the country has ever pro-
duced, a man whom Maine and the Nation
delight 10 honor He needs no introduction to
Portland audience" A voice, "Nor 20 any
other audience in this country.] AS Mr..
Blaine stepped forward the great assemblage
once more rose to its feet. Men waved their
hats and women their handkerchief, and cheer
after cheer rang through the hall He tried to
speak, but for some time could not command