Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-26
MAINE DISPATCHES.
BLAINE AT LEWISTON.
An Immense Crowd Gathers to Wei.
come Him-Greai Enthusiasm.

LEWISTON, June 70.
As the time for the arrival of the evening
train with Blaine approached, people gath.
cred at the Maine Central station, although
it was known that no demonstration would be
made. The crowd became SO dense that the
utmost efforts of the police were required to
clear the way tc the carriage. He at once
drove to the residence of Col. Drew, whose
guest he is during the visit.
After tea, a procession composed Of the
Auburn Light Infantry, Capt. Storah, 80
men, the Lewiston Zouaves, Capt. Parker, so
men, and the First Maine Battery of Artillery,
Lieut.. Guptill, formed under direction of
Charles Clark with the reception committee in
carriages, proceeded to Col. Drews house.
where they received the guest of the city and
escorted him to the hall, which was densely
packed. There was a stir as the committee
Clark stepped forward escorting Mr.. Blaine
to seat, the applause was tumultuous, the
band joining in the cheers of the audience.
After quiet was restored, A. X. Savage, Esq,
welcomed Mr.. Blaine as follows:
Fellow citizens-We are honored tonight
by the presence of distinguished citizen of
our State. We are met to greet and extend
to him the hospitality of our two cities. 1t is
for me to say no more than this-that now
have the distinguished honor of presenting to
you the Hon. James G. Blaine.
Mr.. Blaine was received with prolonged
cheers and applause. After quiet, he said :
Mr.. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen OF the
sister cities of Lewiston and Auburn.-I am
very deeply moved by the cordiality of your
reception. 1t is a very great addition to the
compliment of your reception that it is out
side and beyond the lines of party division,
and that l am permitted to meet you simply
as old friends and fellow-citizens OF the same
State which l am proud to claim rs my
home. In the last 80 years have in public
station and private life known and appre-
ciated your city and citizens and have 20
operated with them in many ways for the
benefit of our joint constituents. attended
public meeting in Lewiston 32 years ago.
Then it was small village. When l see
the superb city which now welcomes me and
meet this vast assemblage of your people
am more than ever impressed with the ener-
getic character and magnificent enterprise of
the American people; republicans and demo-
Gratis alike, lgreat applause, and can say
with pride, quoting the language of Jeffer
son, that upon such an occasion as this we are
all democrats and all republicans. lGreat
applause. l cannot close without again
thanking you most profoundly, ladies and
gentlemen, for the cordiality with which
you have greeted me, and wishing to each
and all of you, and to your two beautiful
,,t of t1as .k,,rI
perity in the future which you have enjoyed
so richly in the past [Applause.1
At the close of his remarks, as Mr.. Blaine
stepped from the platform, the immense
audience pressed forward to take him by the
hand. He had pleasant word for old friends
whom he quickly recognize, and cordial
greeting for all.
1t was more than an hour before the num-
bers thinned off. He took by the hand at
least $500 people. 1t is safe to say that
not less 10. 900 people took part in the ova-
ton.
1t was the most heart welcome ever extend
ed to any person in this community.
Dispatches we're read from Senator Frye
and Congressman Dingley regretting their
enforced absence. The committee of recep-
tion was made up irrespective of parties, the
ex-Mayors of both cities being the first Sc
lected. 1t was noticeable that the audience
was entirely representative, embracing all
parties and all interests.
Thursday forenoon Mr.. Blaine will attend
a meeting Of the trustees of Bates college.
He will attend literary exercises in the FORE
noon and dinner in the afternoon, returning
to Augusta in the evening