Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-08-27
BLAINE AT OLD ORCHARD.
An Enthusiastic Greeting from the Veter-
ans-Text of Mr.. BIaine's Remarks.
TSDeciaI from Old Orchard Reach Me

An Enthusiastic Greeting from the Veter-
ans-Text of Mr.. BIaines Remarks.
Especial from Old Orchard Beach, Mel
Mr.. Blaine and party arrived from Portland
this morning. The streets were filled by a
crowd, which gave Mr.. Blaine an ovation. Upon
arrival at his hotel Mr. Blaine had a conference
with Prof. Downing, of Utica. It is estimated
that 25,0 900 persons including 5000 old soldiers,
are here to-day, to attend the encampm Mt OF
the Grand Army. Most of the visitors attended
Mr. Blaine's public reception in the Old Orchard
House. Mr.. Blaine stood in the center of the
parlor, and the crowd passed in single file and
shook hands with Blaine and Gov. ROBBIE The
reception ended at noon.
When Mr.. Blaine assembled the steps of the
stand to address the veterans he was greeted
with shouts, cheers and cries of Blaine, our
next President" He said:
Gentlemen of the Grand Army of Maine:
thank you for this kindly and cordial greeting.
The occasion has been one of great pleasure TO
me, in the renewal OF old acquaintance and the
recalling of old scenes in civil life and your
splendid deeds of war. My mind is carried
back to the winter OF 1861, to the excitement,
the elation, and, at the same Time seriousness
and sadness of that omnous and critical era I
wildly remember every incident as we stood on
the eve OF that gigantic struggle When, at last,
the war-clOud burst, and President Lincoln is
sued his proclamation for $4,000 men, Maine was
asked for one regiment. Gov. Washburne sum-
moned an extra session of the Legislature.
had the honor, at that time, to be Speaker of the
House OF Representatives. Patriotism was fer
vid, confidence was strong, and we younger
members of the Legisfature-I was but thirty
one years old myself-determined to do some
thing very bold, something that we ventured to
hope. would be rather appalling to the
Confederate government. Instead of re-
spending with the regiment which
the President had asked, we authorized
the Governor to offer ten regiments to the Ma
tional Government, and, although entirely I'M
used to State debt, empowered the Gov
ernor to borrow 81 100000 on the faith of the
State, for immediate use IN the equipment of
troops. We all felt that we were Dragging when
we used these big figures. We felt sure our ten
regiments would never be used for such a
contingent from Maine implied larger force
than Napoleon and Wellington both controlled
on the field of Waterloo. Gen. Fleming, you,
far better than I, know the sequel. Our ten
regiments were swept into the vortex of war
before the expiration of half year, and we
ended by sending thirtytwo regiments of in
fantry, two regiments of cavalry, and nine bat
teries of artillery. These, with the recruits
needed to keep their ranks full in the
terrible contest. absorbed more than 70
900 men of Maine-a draft almost as
large in proportion to our ar1ns-b bearing popula-
ton as Frederick the Great levied on the prov
inces Of Prussia in the hardest-pressed period
Of the seven years war. You, gentlemen, are
an honOred and important portion of the surviv-
ors of that great struggle. I join with you in
commemoration services for the 'unreturning
brave, for that great host who died for their
country and for liberty No victory in war ever
assured SO much good to mankind. none ever
prevented so much evil. The struggle is over,
and our triumph is celebrated, not with sense
OF having conquered foe but with that better
sense of having reclaimed our kinsmen, and
brought them back to their own heritage and to
the protection of their own dag. Beneath that
flag North and South, East and West will all
find protection. Under it's sheltering folds we
shall all dwell together in unity. for we are
brethren"
The speech closed amid a tumult of applause,
which lasted ten minutes.