Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-16
GREAT RATIFICATION MEETING.
The Grand Opera House in New York
Filled With AN Enthusiastic Blaine
and Logan AudIence-Speeches
BY Wm. NJ. Evarts and
Gen. Hawiey.

There was a crowd of several hundred about
the doors s. rarly as : o'clock and in less
than fve minutes after access 10 the hall had
been obtained every seat Was filled and later
every foot of space in the auditorium was
occupied. The stage was tsstefully draped
With bunting and on either side hung the
portraits OF the candidates. The audience
was enthusiastic from the start and As prom.
inrnt republicans who took places on the
platform were recognized they we're Justify
cheered Among them we're John A. Stew
art, john jay, Judge Noah Davis, ex-Goy.
Cornell, Senator Warner Miller, Geo. Bliss,
Elliott f. Shepherd, John c. Fremont, Hor-
ace Russell Jesse Seligman. Edw ard Mitchell,
ex- Postmaster General james, John Jay
Knox, Whitelaw Reid, John ID. lawson, Gen.
Joseph X. Ha~le Judge Geo. II. Andrews,
ex-senator Thos. c. Plat, S. V. Cruger,
Chas. A. Peabody. Jr., Joel w. Mason,
Judge Ernest Hall, Dexter Hawkins, Jacob
Hess, Gen. Wag,rswsyne, Jas. NJ. Varnum,
Col. c. :. Spencer, Gen. Floyd Aspinswall,
VIM. Dowd and others.
The exercises were begun with a song by
the campaign club, after which the meeting
was called to order by Col. Chas. s. Spencer
who nominated as chairman Chas. $. Smith
Smith in his opening address asked what was
going 10 be the issue in the canvass. A voice
IN the gallery replied Protection" at which
the audience got up and cheered long and
loudly.
Mr.. Smith went on to say that he agreed
with the audience and made an argument of
considerable length to show that great bene-
fits were derived from the protective tariff.
A long series OF resolutions were then pre-
sented and read. The secretary was frequent
ly interrupted by applause when the names
af hrs ha
dents Garfield and Arthur were referred TO.
The resolutions stated that in appealing 20
the people for the continued support of the
republican party, referred to its record for the
past ~ years. Ii was organized as a party
of free soil and free speech, and is protest
against slavery As such, IL was bound and
pledged to maintain the civil and political
rights of freedmen. The services of the party
in reducing war taxes and in reducing the
national debt was also reCited. The resump-
ton of specie payments had furnished the
people with sound and stable currency, and
within 20 years after the war the treasury
was overlooking and the nations debt unpre-
cedented. In all that had pertained to the
welfare of the people the party had shown
itfelf to be progressive and the champion of
law and order. The republican party of today
was declared to be the same that of other
years III It's utNbtlou anu pflnClple anu lts
prompt response to the demands of the coun-
try; and confidence was expressed that no
true republican would be deceived in giving
aid and comfort; and the democratic party,
although mssquersding as party of patriot.
ism and reform, was essentially the same as
when it declared the war OF the Union a fail.
ure, denounced the amendments to the con-
s'itution and persistently opposed all efforts
to improve the civil service
The resolutions then declared that the re-
publicans of this city heartily approve of the
policy Of the party in protecting American
industry aud American wnrkiugmen from
competition with any form of cheap or
servile labor. The party was pledged to
protective policy and at the same time was
declared that whenever inequalities exist in
the tariff it would be corrected. The demo-
Gratis could not evade the responsibility for
the late attempt in Congress to legislate in
the interests of free trade for which policy it
also declared in its Chicago platform, but in
vague and evasive terms the republican
party had also favored any policy which
tended to increase or extend American com
merce and had opened up many markets for
American products in the Western Hemis-
phere
The wise administration of President Arthur
was commended. The full faith in charac-
ter, capacity and patriotism OF Jas. G. Blaine
was expressed with warm appreciation of
his eminent public services and pride in his
abilities which placed him in the front rank
of American statesmen.
Gen. Logan was eulogiZed as "Represen-
tatlve volunteer soldier, whose civil record is
distinguished and pure as his military ser
vices were brave and effective" and nomina.
tion was heartily endorsed. The resolutions
were adopted unanimously amid great cheer
ing.
The chairman then introduced VIM NJ
Evsrts. As Mr.. Evarts came to the front of
the stage the house rose and cheered. When
quiet was restored MIR. Evarts began his
speech by referring to the novel arrangement
of the names on the democratic ticket, which
caused laugh. The speaker said he would
not make a merely salutatory address. The
exingencies of time made more discussion
necessary. He continued; 1T our candi-
dates were not representatives of the Union
OF our states they would not be worthy to be
candinates of the republican party. There
are different methods in differenti countries
for the selection Of rulers. Our ancestors
deliberated gravely where they should deposit
this great power. and they debided to choose
President by the people themselves. Now
of the earth We have enlarged our terri
tory and amassed wealth. We distribute
justice, sentiment, truth, reason and mercy.
and we put down the rebellion. Loud ap-
plause. Are we not well of? The question
arises who shall we select to vote for. The
utmost freedom is allowed within a party to
discuss the principles and character of the
man who is suggested. That is where the
liberty of the people has its place. but when
the assembly of the people to select candi.
dates who speak by the people, when they
come TO a verdict, there is no chance for Objec.
ton or discussion. The question is are YOU for
the plaintiff or defendant? Ne obstruction
can be put in the way of the delegation that
is sent to bring home a candidate. The great
question is, which party shall govern? There
are some who hate and malign our candidates.
There are some who abhor the democratic
party, but who wants Cleveland for president
Laughter There are some who want the
republican party in power, but they don't
want Blaine. Laughter They will make
as lawyers say, not a general verdict but a
special verdict They would make the gov
ernment a sort OF a receiver. When we can
alter the constitution of the United States.
that may do; but il won't do at this election
Laughter.
here Mr.. Evarts referred to the promises
which he said the democratic party had made
and failed to keep. He quoted Raufs Choat's
words when asked which candidate he pre-
ferred as between Buchanan and Fremont !: