The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-10-30

HE DISCUSSES THE TARIEF, EXPIODES THE
KNOW NOTHING SLANDER, AND DECLARES
AGAINST PAUPER IMMIGRATION AND CON
TRACT LABOR. A SPEECH FROM GEN. FIRE.
MONT.
Mr.. Blaine had grand reception at Flint,
Michigan, Friday afternoon and spoke at great
er length than usual After calling attention to
protective tariff as the great issue of the CAM
pagn, and expressing his belief that Michigan,
a state much interested in protection. would
follow the lead of Ohio, he said: II have re-
ceiVed, since | have been in this state, TWO or
three letters from persons asking me to state
whether | had ever been Il member of the Know
nothing party. In connection with these inqui-
ries from persons in Michigan, have received
some telegrams from the Pacific coast. asking
whether was not supporter of Mr.. Fillmore
when he ran in 1886 as the native American
candidate for the presidency. Let me say in
full and explicit terms, in reply to these inqu-
rles by letter and telegram, that never was a
member of the knOW-nothing order; that |
never voted for a man who was nominated by
it, and, that instead Of supporting Mr.. Fillmore
in 1886, | had the honor to be member of the
national Republican convention which nomna-
ted Gen. Fremont, and as the general is now
on this platform, he will be able to bear testi-
mony that however inefficient my support may
have been. it was very earnest and very ardent.
| was then junior editor of the kennebec Jour
nal, and that paper was entirely devoted to
him the largest majority ever east in Maine for
a presidential candidate of any party. The
Know nothing order holds views in regard to
immigration with which never had any SYM
pathy and from which | never hesitated to
express dissent. But. in connection with that
subject, let me say that there are at present
three wrongs which, in my Judgement, require
correction; First | think that habit which
has grown up on the part of some European
countries of sending their paupers to the
United States ought not to be longer tolerated.
| believe in the good old American system,
which requires that each town or each county
shall take care of its own poor. If i'll Euro
pean countries their laws tend to impoveri>h
their working people, these countries ought
to take care of them when reduced TO want.
instead of shipping them to us. Cheers.
Second, and still more objectionable is their
practice of shipping their criminals to US,
as has been done i'll many cases-crlmlnai>
being released from punishment on condi-
ton that they shall come 10 the United States.
| think that this is very grave offence against
this country. which should not be permitted.
Cheers Third, il a tariff for protection Is
designed to elevate the laborng man in this
country and secure him good wages, and if it Is
not for that it is not for anything, then think
the custom which some men are trying to IN
troduce OF importing cheap contract labor from
foreign countries TO compete with home labor
ought TO be prohibited. Cheers. II a species
of >ervitude, against the spirit OF our laws, and
injuries all who are in any way connected with
it. These three evils that | think, ought
to be remedied. But as to every honest immi-
grant seeking to better his condition, whether
he comes from the British Isles or from the
great German Empire, from the sunny cmes
of the Latin nations, from the Scandinavia
in the north, we bid him God speed and give
him hearty welcome and hospitality, and when
he is admitted to citizenship, we assure HIM of
of protection at home and abroad. once among