The Portland daily press., 1884-07-30
(Damariscotta Advertiser)
A Clergyman's Endorsement.
Rev. G. v. Hanson on Mr. BIaine and His
DeirnctOrs.

No man 10 this community stands higher ia
the estimation of his fellow citizens than does
the pastor OF the Baptist church, Rev. @. V.
Hanson. Upright in all his dealings, courte-
Gus in his bearing, he has won the respect, es-
tsem and love OF old and young, rich and poor,
Of all religious sects and political creeds. A
man with broad mind aud well founded con-
victions, and the power and eloquence to make
them known, he is yet as calm and judicious
as he is frank and straightforward in stating
his position on any question. at the initial
meeting of the Blaine and Logan Club at
Grand Army Hall, on the 18th, in response to
a call from the audience, Mr.. Hanson spoke
substantially as iollows:-
When lad Of twelve in Portland my father
said to me one evening, my sou, want you
to go to Deering Hall with me tonight to hear
Mr.. Blaine. he is An editor, and is said to be
young man of great promise" This was the
first and only invitation OF the kind that my
father ever gave to me, aud L well remember
the impression which the youthful speaker
made upon my mind, and the enthusiasm with
which he was received. He was then but
tWenty-six years OF age, but the force and elo-
quence with which he spoke, were prophetic
of the erninence which he since has reached.
One year after Ibis my father died, and 1 was
left to form my political opinions without the
guidance which he would have gladly given,
had he been spared to me. 1t is but natural
that should have intently followed the poiti-
ical career OF the man, who, in his youth, so
greatly enlisted the interest of my honored
father.
/ should bave been silent during this cam
paign, had not some ministers Of conspicuous
ability seen fit to assail the character and dis
parage the work Of the candidate of the Repub-
hcan party Applause. In this attempt to
array the ministry as body against Mr.. Blaine
feel that those who OF us who have conf
dence in his character and 10 his fitness for the
high Office OF President, should speak out our
sentiments and convictions. Prolonged ap-
plause and cries of good" James Freeman
Clarke, whom have always highly respected
has seen fit to imply that the "riff-raff" Of the
land 10 attaching itself TO the Republican par
". 1t may be we'll on this occasion, as an an
swer in part to this statement, to enumerate a
few Of those who believe in Mr.. Blaine, and
who will support him at the polls. First and
foremost 1 would mention Rev. r. s Storrs,
d. D., the prominent Congregational minister
of Brooklyn, N Y, the one matchless orator
OF the land, and a man OF the highest personal
character. He feels that Mr.. Blaine has bsen
grossly maligned, and that scant justice has
been done him for his public services. His
opinion certainly is entitled to the greatest
weight. Next is Hon. VIM. M. Evarts of New
York, the able jurist, the eloquent exponent
and defender Of our political institutions, and
the upright and conscientious citizen. Surely
these men would not unite in the candidacy
of one whom they regarded as corrupt, or as
unworthy of the highest Office in the gift Of the
people. The speakers at the the recent ratif-
cation meeting in fremont Temple, Boston,
are men whom we delight TO honor, and yet
they are giving their hearty support to the
nominees of the Republican party There is
Hon. Henry L. Dawes the veteran and faith
full servant of the people. Hon. George f.
Hoar. the able and accomplished Senator, aud
the Hon. John ID. Long, that noble son Of
Maine, who is one of the purest of our states
men, and man OF the finest moral fibre. These
and others OF kindred spirit encourage those Of
US of smaller fame in our support of Mr..
Blaine, and justify our dissent from the unfor-
tunate expression of Mr.. Clarke. Applause
A few weeks since 1 stood on the star in the
floor Of the Baltimore & Potomac station,
which marks the spot where Garfield fell by
the bullet of the assassin. While there re-
membered that his COMPANION on that event.
full morning was none other than James G..
Blaine, his trusted friend and chosen counsel
Tor. None Of you Can for moment believe,
that our lamented President would have taken
Mr. Blaine into his confidence and counsels,
had he regarded him as a corrupt and unwor-
thy man. A little later / drove through the
grounds Of the White House, and looked with
interest TO that ROOM in the second story,
where the wounded President spent those long
hours of suffering, with that brave and natient
spirit, which so touched the heart of the world
Who was ii, / ask, in those dark weeks when
the thoughts of the people turned so anxiousy
and lovingly to that chamber Of distress, that
stood as their representative, aud also practi-
callc bore the vast responsibilities OF the gov
eminent? Who was it that discharged the
manifold duties of that trying season with such
ability and delicacy as to win the admiration
of friend snd foe alike? 1 answer, James G..
Blaine, and cannot but feel that the friend
ship of the noble sufferer was most worthily
placed Here was an occasion that tested
both the mind and heart of Mr.. Blaine, and
its issue was such as to justify your confidence
in his character, and your suffrage at the
polls. Enthusiastic appause.l