The Portland daily press., 1884-08-13
HURRAH FOR BLAINE.
The Great Grove Meeting at
MaranOcOOk.
$4,000 REPUBLICANS ASSEM-
BLED.
Speaking From Three Stands.
VAST AUDIENCES OF JOYOUS AND
CONFIDENT REPUBLICANS.
Eloquent Speeches and Great Enthus-
iaSm.
Special to Press.)

resented by full delegations of its best citizens
From an early hour in The forenoon long trains
were steadily rolling up to the station dis
charging their loads of passengers, and b.
every means Of conveyance the people fiocket
to that central point. With almost every traiI
came one or more bands with the uniformed
clubs of supporters of Blaine and Logan.
Three trains came from Portland, one at 81
one at 9.10, and another special train later con
veying the orators of the day, members of the
committee and invited guests. If there werI
any empty seats when the trains left the city
there were none when they arrived. Coco
time was made and the last train arrived OF
the ground in time for the beginning of the
speaking at the appointed hour. Attached tic
this train was car from which the stationary
seats had been removed and long table intro.
duced, handsomely decorated with china and
flowers, on which after leaving Lewiston an
excellent dinner was served by G. D. Robin
son OF Portland. Covers were laid for twenty
six persons Ex-Governor Selden Conner sal
at the head of the table with Hon. James G.
Blaine on his right and Col. Louden Snowden
of Philadelphia on his left. Senators Hale and
! Frye. Governor Robie, the distinguished gen.
tlemen from other states who were to speak at
the meeting. Congressman Dingley, Gen
james A. Hall, the chairman and secretary
of the Republican State Committee, Hon. f.
N Dow, j. H. Manley OF Augusta and several
others were present. On the way home this
| entertainment was repeated.
The day was delightful one,-bright but
cool, land as nearly perfect for such an coca.
sion as could be hoped for. The waters of the
lake were never bluer, the verdure of the
| grove never fresher. The natural loveliness of
the scene was enhanced by the spirit, cheer
fitness, and obvious enjoyment of the great
multitude gathered there. The grove seemed
full from end TO end. Farmers, merchants and
professional men from all sections of the State
met, animated by common and noble mo-
tive. There was gre4t animation but no dis
order. The music of the bands, the uniforms
| of the clubs, the holiday costumes of the la
! dies, the crowded boats on the lake, the great
/ crowds surrounding the tree stands, the clear
! voices of the orators the applause and
| laughter and cheers now here now there that
! signalled the appreciation of what was said,
the picturesque groups that filed the grove
separating yet uniting tbs more closely hacked
crowds about the stands where speaking vas
| in progress, for it was impossible for all to get
| within hearing iof the speakers if they had
| desired to do so, all contributed TO make 6
scene OF pesceful and delightful character,
pleasant to look upon and pleasant to have a
part in.
At the main stand, ex-Gov. Connor presided
and made the opening speech. Gov. Robe
| followed, and Mr.. Blaine was introduced as
| the third speaker. When his name was an
nounced, a perfect uproar Of applause follow
ed, which increased into a regular hurricane
as he arose He spoke some five minutes in a
very candid manner.
When then train bearing Mr.. Blaine ar
rived the multitude rushed to the place where
he was to disembark all eager to catch sight of
the honored citizen of Maine, the chosen can
didate OF the great national Republican party.
Upon his appearance on the platform he re-
ceived the warmest Of greetings, cheers upon
cheers we're given with the greatest heartiness
and as he walked to the central stand this was
continued as new portions OF the crowds
lining the pathway discovered his presence
near them. He was escorted to the central
platform erected nearly in front of the great
pavilion and near the shore of the lake. Seats
had been arranged in rows on the rising
ground around all the platforms, but the press
was SO great that they we're of no use exc ept
to stand upon. The people were much too
eager and there were too many determined to
get within hearing distance to allow those who
would sit to enjoy that comfort. OF course
there was the greatest crowd about the stand
where Mr.. Blaine was known to be- but por.
ton of the speakers were escorted at once upon
leaving the cars to the other stands and 8
great space about each of them was promptly
occupied SO that the speaking began nearly
simultaneously at each.
While Ex-Governor Conner and Governor
Robbie were speaking at the central stand Mr.
Blaine sat quietly next the railing at the real
OF the stand. Between that and the watel
there was few feet of space and this was con
stantiy occupied by passing throng which he
watched with interest frequently greeting &C
quaintances whom he discovered with a
pleasant recognition. Many who passed soli-
cited the favor of shaking his hand, some o
these being ladies, aud he gratified them BY
reaching over the rail and taking their up
reached hands.
Ex-Governor Conner made very handsom
brief speech in opening the meeting at tn
central stand, recalling the glories OF the part,
and the special cause for pride and satisfaction
in its present condition. He then introduced
Governor Robe whose reception showed how
strong is the hold he has upon the esteem ant
confidence of the people. He spoke for abou
half an hour in the earnest manner SO vel
known to the people of the State, dwellin,
particularly upon certain historical incident
in the great struggle Of the past twenty-five
years, and exhorting the Republicans of tn
State to rally again around the standards an
show by their votes the depth and sincerity G
their admiration for the leaders they had s.
often honored.
At the conclusion of his speech the impa
tieEt GRO I'd loudly called for Blaine who wa
felicitously presented by Governor Con
nor. When he came forward and steppe
upon the table from which all the speakers &C
dressed the audience there was great demon
stration, which for time prevented his sayin
anything. When quiet was restored he spok
deliberately but with a cordial manner, as on
addressing old friends and not strangers tn
few words which are elsewhere reported
Gladly as the people would have listened t
him, as they have often done, had he chose
to discuss before them the questions Of tn
day, they appeared to be quite satisfied wit
the little he deemed it appropriate to say, an
when he concluded there was another remark
: able demonstration of appreciation and honol
, Soon afterwards Mr.. Blaine left this stand t
appear at the other stands where the peopl
| were waiting an opportunity to see hin
Wherever he moved about the grounds h
was recognized with demonstrations OF re
spect and warm admiration that must hav
cheered his heart He left the grounds on a
early train for Bangor, accompanied by pei
: sonal friends.
a At the central stand where Mr.. Blaine ha
! spoken Hon. Emory A. Storrs of Chicago wa