Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-13
THE FIRST Gun.
TllldGrS at MaraIOCOOk and
Opens The Campaign.
A Political Demonstration
Unprecedented in the His
tory Of Maine.
Fifteen Thousand People 60
Down TO the Lake Side
And Greet Hon. James q.
Blaine, the Republican
standard Barer.
He Appears on the Main Stand
and Speaks Briefly.
Eminent Speakers Address the
Multitude From Three
Stands.
Great Enthuiasm Manifested
Throughout tho Day.
Eminent Speakers Address the
Multitude From Three
Stands.
Great EnthuiaSm Manifested
Throughout tho Day.
I Special to the Kennebec journal. !

MARANoCooK, Aug. II.
Today the republicans of Maine, fifteen
thousand strong, assembled at Lake Marano-
cook to meet Hon. James G. Blaine. the
coming president of the United States, and
open the campaign. 1t was by all odds the
grandest political gathering the Pine Tree
State has ever seen and an event long to be
remembered in the history of the common
wealth. 1t was a genuine, earnest, enthusi-
astic ovation to Mr.. Blaine, and a beginning
of the campaign fully equal to the most san
guine expectations of republicans. Every
section of the State was represented in this
great meeting. From the eastern provincial
border to the rugged hills of Oxford there
was an outpourng of people.
The day was perfect and could not have
been better fitted for the occasion. cool,
an abundance of sunlight were its features.
In fact, a model August day, and the grove
was in its most brilliant dress. Every con-
venience that could make the stay of the
visitors pleasant and agreeable had been
provided. We have referred to the beauties
of the spot at other times and it would be
idle to enumerate them now. Six stands
had been erected for the accommodation OF
the speakers, but only three of them were
occupied, At ll.30 o'clock the excursion
trains began to empty their crowds of pas
sengers upon the grounds. The Bangor
train vac the first to put in an appearance.
1t consisted of II heavily loaded cars. Ac-
companying it was the Bangor Loyal League
in uniform, 75 men, and the Bangor band.
and very becoming. They consist of blue
blouse and white pants with golden helmet
surmounted by white plume. They wore
the Chase badges manufactured in Augusta
Following the Bangor delegation, train after
train bowled into the station. As soon as
the track was cleared as one another took its
place, and the last did not arrive till after
one o'clock z. NJ. Two trains came from
Portland via Lewiston. One was made of Il
cars, which were fairly jammed with ex-
cursionists. The Augusta and down river
delegation which came by rail occupied ten
cars. Hundreds of people from Augusta and
below, drove across the country to the lake,
preterring this mode of travelling to the in
conveniencies of an excursion train. Special
trains were run from Ellsworth, Belfast,
Skowhegan, Pennington and Bath; also
from Portland, Augusta and Bangor, referred
to above. and many other places. There
were upwards of thirteen bands present,
among their number being the Auburn,
Pennington, Bangor, Augusta, Norridgewock
and Lewiston party from Poland
Ppriugs neatly attired in uniforms and each
man carrying bottle of Poland water was
present.
Mr.. Blaine drove to Winthrop village from
Augusta in company with Postmaster Man.
lev, by the direct road. taking the train a.
Winthrop station. This train was the one
which departed from Portland in the fore
noon, and besides Mr.. Blaine contained
Gov. Robie, Senators Frye and Hale. the
speakers and other distinguished gentlemen.
At leo p. NJ. this special arrived at Ma
ranocook station. Its appearance was an
nounced by the people occupying the plat
form with mighty shout, which was taken
up by the crowd and repeated to the farthes,
extremities OF the grounds. Mr.. Blaine on
alighting from his car was Joined by Gov.
Robie, the two gentlemen proceeding arm in
arm to the central stand, followed by the