Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-09-18
A SPEECH BYMR. BLAINE.
The Republican Triumph UnparalIed-Causes OF
Democratic Defeat.

AUGUSTA, Sept. Tonight the
Republicans of Augusta held n great
jubilee over the result of the election.
The returns were received at Meonian
Hall and speeches were made by citi-
zens and visitors. At nine O'Clock a
procession was formed on Water-st.,
and marched to the residence of Mr..
Blaine, cheering all along the line. Ar
irving in front of Mr.. Blaine's resi-
dence. the band played and great crowd
shouted for Blaine. In response, Mr..
Blaine advanced to the entrance of his
house amid a storm of cheers, and
addressed the assembled people as fol-
lows:
FELLOw-CITIZENS AND OLD FRIENDS:
The Republicans of Maine may well
congratulate themselves on the magni
ficent victory which they have won.
-Four years ago this evening we were
overwhelmed and Inundated by the loss
of the State. We rejoice now over an
unparalleled triumph, which is reg .ster-
ed by the choice of both branches of
the Legislature, by the election of all
the Representatives in Congress, of
all the County officers in every County
in the State, except one, and by a pop
ular majority for Governor Robbie of
perhaps $4,000 votes. The cause of this
Democratic overthrow, gentlemen, is
known to us all. Our canvass has been
conducted on one great issue Our
papers have kept that constantly before
the people. Every speaker from every
platform has has enunciated, defended,
@ lfnrPpn 10 hn
ion to American labor. The tariff has
been almost the only question discussed
in our canvass, and the people have
responded nobly. They understand the
subject fully. They know the details of
the Morrison Tariff bill and they read
therein the precise results which would
follow if our opponents should obtain
control of the National Government.
They see and they know that the Nor
rison bill, enacted into law, would seri-
ously cripple, if not utterly destroy, the
leading industrial interests of Maine:
that it would reduce the wages of every
laboring man and stop every new manu-
featuring enterprise i'll the State. See
ing this, the people of Maine have pro-
tested against the enactment of so des-
seal of disapprobation upon the Dem
ocratic party that supports it. Many
Democrats in Maine VINO have never
before wavered in their allegiance to
the party, have ranged themselves to-day
on the side of protection to American
industry by voting the full Republican
ticket. Their leaders could not hold
them. Party discipline is powerless
against the convictions of men.
WHY He DID NOT VOTE ON THE PRoHI-
BITION AMENDMENT.
The issue on the temperance amend
ment to the Constitution has been verv
properly and very rigidly separated
from the political contest of the State
to-day. Many Democrats have voted
for it, and some Republicans have voted
against it, The Republican party, by
the desire of leading temperance men,
took no action as party on the amend
ment For myself, | decided not to
vote at all on the question. | took this
position because | am chosen by the
Republican party as the representative
of National issues, and by no act of
mine shall any question be obtruded
into the National campaign which be-
longs properly to the Domain of State
politics. Certain advocates of prohibi-
ton and certain opponents of prohibi-
ton are seeking to drag the issue INTO
the National canvass and thus tending
to exclude from popular consideration
the questions which press fer National
decision. If there be any questions
that belong solely to the police power
of the State, it is the control of the
liquor traffic, and wise men will not
neglect National issues in the year of a
National contest. Judicious friends of
a protective tariff, which is the practical
issue of the campaign, will not divert
their votes to the question of prohibition
which is not practical issue of the Ma
tiobal campaign
| accept with great pleasure your con-
CALCULATIONS on the vote of this CITY and
the surrounding towns of Kennebec
County. | do not disguise from YOU
that | am profoundly gratified with the
result. DESTROYS of the good opinion
of all men. | am sure that esteem be-
yond all others the good opinion of
these excellent people among whom |
have passed nearly all the years of my
adult life, who know me intimately
from young manhood as fellow-citizen,
neighbor and friend. | return nv
thanks for your call and still heartier
thanks for your great work of to-day.
Following Mr.. Blaine, Senator Gull
lum, of Illinois, and General John L.
Swift delivered brief addresses.