Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-04


den.
Il was about o'clock when Mr.. Lodge.
who presided, called the company to order.
He said that as Mr.. Blaine was to review a
great torchlight procession, there would not
be any general speaking; but he knew those
presnt would be greatly disappointed if they
did not hear from the distinguished guest of
the evening" gentleman who for the last
six months had been the most conspicuous
figure in the United States; who had i'm
pressed himself upon popular Imagination
and aroused popular enthusiasm to an extent
never before seen in this country since the
days of Henry Clay. [Applause.
When Blaine rose to respond he was heart
lily cheered. When order was restored he
said:
"Mr. Chairman and gentlemen-For rea-
sons which need not stop to detail recep-
ton of this character in the city of Boston at
the close of the national campaign is particu-
larly grateful to me, and thank Mr. Lodge
for giving me the opportunity to thank you.
1t is too late to argue OF even to state the
great issues involved in the canvass which
closes tonight, but | am sure these issues
constitute the difference between the parties
so broad and so deep that their decision one
way or the other will effect for veal or for
years to come. Applause. | am sure that
the great constitutional amendments which
have grown out of the civil struggle, and
which have in so many respects. might say
changed the very frame work of our govern
meBt. have been made by the republican
party and are now in its keeping, and as
have frequently said elsewhere | here now
repeat-that to transfer the political power
of the country to the democratic party at this
time, would by no means be one of those
ordinary transfers of the government from
one party to another of which the gray haired
men within my view witnessed many years
ago. Ii would not be merely case OF one
party going out and another coming in. 1t
would be rather a reversal and overturning
of the great organic changes in the govern
ment, of the great industrial systems, of the
great financial systems, and be transfer of
the sovereignty OF the country. far more vital
and far reaching than any of the ordinary
changes of dynasty which occur in those
European governments of different form from
ours and | close the canvass in which have
had some active participation with the pro.
found conviction that intelligent as the voters
of the United States are, and | am certainly
addressing some of the most intelligent of
them, that as Intelligent as the mass of voters
are, accustomed as they are to give heed to
the weight and tendency of the questions to
be decided, the people of the United States
have not vet measured nor as believe, yet
fully cOmprehended, what it would mean to
transfer the government to the absolute con
troll of the Southern States of this Union /;
nor do here and now stop to give my own
idea of what such a change would mean. 1t
is out of place. | should refrain for the
additional reason that anything might say
would be too late to influence popular judg
ment in any direction, and for the third
reason that IN 50 far my own voice would
reach and Influence the just judgment of the
people of the United States, have exerted it
very freely. | have never offered any apol
ogy or explanation for taking what some of
my closest friends regard as an extraordinary
step in going before the people somewhat
more frequently and extendedly than
has been the habit of those
chosen as presidential candidates of the great
parties Bnt will say now, did it and
desire to put this on record. | did 1t because
| thought the peculiar character OF the can
vass was my personal justification for doing
1t. Long continued applause and cheers.
| am profound believer in popular govern
ment and knew no reason why should not
face the American people Great applause
and cries of good | did it too tor the
more specific reason that | belived there was
danger of great leading questions, which
related to the industrial and protective s. stem
of America being partially or perhaDs wholly
excluded from that consideration by people
which its merits deserved. And entrusted as
| was with the great function of representing
you and all members of the republican party.
| feel that | would, in an especial degree,
myself obtain a hearing. | have returned
as your ears have already detected, but have
returned with even a more profound belief
than | had in the Judgment fairness in the
impartiality, in the generosity of the great
mass of American citizens. Great applause |
And go to my home tomorrow. not without
strong confidence in the result of the ballot
but with heart that shall not, in the least
degree, be troubled by any verdict which may
be returned by the great American people
applause] for have, in my entire canvass,
completely lost sight of myself and of what
ever personal fortune | have at stake In
the far greater and far more grander and the
far more enduring issue, which for the time
| was submitting to popular judgment"
Applause and cheers and three formal
cheers.
From the dinner table he went to view
the great procession, which he did from the
balcony of the hotel. Tomorrow he goes
home to Augusta. leaving here at $50.
The republican torchlight parade was
success in point of numbers and in the en-
thusiasm it aroused. The weather of today
was most favorable for the parade and the
fact of Blaine's presence in the city added
greatly to the interest of the occasion. Spec
Ials were run from various points throughout
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Mass
achusetts and thousands upon thousands of
visitors thronged the streets from an early
hour this morning. In the vicinity of the
Brunswick Hotel, where Blaine made his
headxuarters, the crowd was immense. the
streets being packed with people from curb
to curb. stand had been erected in front
from which Blaine and party reviewed the
procession. Eight O'Clock was the hour set
for the procession to move and il was onlv
Is minutes later when a starting signal was
given. Along the streets on the Back Bay
through which the procession passed were
many illuminations As the head of the
procession reached the Brunswick. ringing
cheers were given for Blaine, which the latter
acknowledged by repeated bows. The pas
sage of the procession in front of Blaine was
a continued ovation. After it passed the
crowd rushed toward the stand and made re
peated demands on the distinguished guest
for a speech. Blaine, however. simply said
in reply; Good night; do your duty to-
morrow The party then retired within the
hotel The Loyal League of Bangor. 100 men.
occupied the post Of honor at the heap Of the