The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-08
Mr. Elkins and 9th ent Republicans
Hold Conferf oS Outline Plan
Of campai( 2g It Virginia.
Fourth District Republicans Nominate
Major ]. 0. Crayens for Congress.
Gath" Draws Striking Parallel Between
the Treatment of Douglas and That of
Mr.. Blaine-Political Miscellany.
BLAINE AT OLD ORCHARD.
An Enthusiastic Greeting from the Veterans
Text of Mr.. BIaine,s RemarEs

An Enthusiastic Greeting from the Veterans
Text of DIr. Blaine's Remarks.
OLD ORCHARD, Me-, Aug MIR Blaine and
party arrived from Portland this morn.
ing. The streets were filed by a crowd,
which gave Mr. Blaine an ovation.
Upon arrival at his hotel Mr. Blaine had
aconference with Professor Downing, Of Utica.
1t is estimated that $4,000 persons, including
5000 old soldiers are here to-day, to attend the
encampment of the Grand Army Most of the
visitors attended Mr.. Blaines public reception
III 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. Robie. The reception ended at noon
When Mr.. Blaine ascended 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.
Ihe occasion has been one of great pleasure to
me, IN the renewal of old acquaintances 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 eation, and, at the same time, seriousness
and sadness of that ominous and critical era. |
Vlyldly remember every incident as we stood on
the eve Of that gigantic struggle. When, at
last, the war-cloud burst. and President Lincoln
issued his proclamation for $4,000 men,
Maine was asked for one regiment
Gov. Washburne summoned an extra session of
the Legislature. / had the honor, at that time,
to be Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Patriotism was fervid, confidence was strong,
and we younger members of the Legislature-1
was but thirty-one years old myself
determined to do something very
bold, something that we ventured to hope, would
be rather appalling to the confederate govern.
ment Instead of responding with the regiment
which the President had asked we authorized
the Governor to offer ten regiments to the
national government, and although entirely
unused to a State debt, we empowered the
Governor to borrow $1,000, 900, on the faith
OF the State. for immediate use in
the equipment OF troops We al felt that we
were Dragging when we used these big figures.
We felt sure our ten regiments would
never be used, for such con
tingent from Maine implied a larger
force than Napoleon and Wellington both con
trolled on the field of Waterloo. General Flenl-
ing, you, far better than l, know the SEQUEL.
Our ten regiments were swept into the
vortex of war before the expiration Of
half year, and we ended by
sending thirty-two regiments of infantry, two
regiments of cavalry, and nine batteries of ar.
tlllery This, with the recruits needed
to keep their ranks full in the ter
rible contest, absorbed more than TO-
600 men of Maine-a draft almost as
large in proportion to our arms bearing popula-
tion as Frederick the Great levied on the oroy-
inces of Prussia in the hardest-pressed
period of the seven years war. You
gentlemen, are an honored and important
portion of the survivors of that great struggle
]. 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
a sense of having conquered a 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 flag. Beneath
that flag North and South, East and
West will all find protection. Under
its sheltering folds we shall all dwell together
in unity, for we are brethren"
The speech closed amid tumult of applaus O.
which lasted ten minutes