The Portland daily press., 1884-09-03
CITY HALL CROWDED WITH A
MOST ENTHUSIASTIC AUDI
ENCE.

The audience at City Hall last evening re-
minded the spectator forcibly of the meetings
held during the war. Not only were all the
seats occupied, but fringe of listeners formed
line of black against the farther sile OF the
hall opposite the entrance doors, while the
aisle on the entrance side, the corridor off of
il, end the ante-room were packed with people.
The seats in the galleries were occupied. to
great extent, by ladies, but there were also
many gentlemen there seated and standing, It
was glorious reception to Hon. Hannibal
Hamlin,t that beloved son of Maine, and to Rev.
George W. Pepper, the brilliant Irish orator
from Ohio.
Prior to the meeting Chambers band fav-
ored the waiting audience with several must
cal selections played with exquisite taste,
while Mr.. Hamlin received cordial greeting
from many of our citizens in Reception Hall.
| 1t was noticeable that number of our most
distinguished older citizens were present to
take once more by the hand their old and tried
friend.
An unexpected pleasure was the presence
of Hon. Judge West, the blind orator OF Bel
| lefontaine, Ohio. who nominated Hon. James
| G. Blaine at the Chicago convention. Judge
West is tall, with long face, straight nose high
cheek bones, fine forehead, iron gray hair and
Vandyke beard, and pleasant mouth, and
from his attitude and animated expression
and manner, when seated, it is difficult to be-
| lieve that he is blind. When he rose to speak
| the audience cheered to the echo, swinging
their hats and spplauded as If they would
take the roof off. Rev. Mr.. Pepper is also a
man who is full of the fire of youth, although
| he shows by his locks that he has reached mid
| die life. His speech was adorned with SEN
| fences that would have done credit to several
of our most brilliant essayists Mr.. Peppers
| voice was not what he would have wished,
but he had grown hoarse in good service for
| the Republicans of Maine. Hon. T. FL. Dud-
| ley, OF Camden, n. j.. spoke with great effect
on the tariff. Both he and Judge West are
| fine speakers.
sWhen the distinguished party filed on to the
| stage, and Hon. Hannibal Hamliu's face was
seen, there was grand round of applausd
| After all were seated-and almost all the seats
on the platform were occupied Chair man
| Waterhouse called the meeting to order, and an
nounced that Hon. W. P. Frye, would address
| the Republicans of this city at the Bijou rink
this evening. he then said ne should intro.
duce as presiding officer a well known citizen,
| Ex-Alderman James Cunningham.
| AS MIR. Cunningham stepped forward he
| was greeted with tremendous applause. He
| said:
Ladies and GentiemeR-I feel deeply the honor you
have conferred me- and through me on the Irish
Americans who have had the independence to sever
party ties and who will help elect James G. Baine
| Great cheering). We have with tonight some
| of the most eminent men in the country, among
| them the gentleman from Chicago who had the
pleasure of nominating the Hon. James G. Blaine.
| cloud chez ing). To the naturalized citizens of
| Portland would like to say few words bnt l do
not wish to take up time and will therefore in
troduce to you gentleman from the Peuobscot, the
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin.
As Mr.. Hamlin came forward he was TT
csived with prolonged cheers, many standing
on the settees and waving their hats and hand
kerchiefs. 1t was complete ovation and it
was several minutes before the gentleman
could proceed. He spoke as follows:
| cp1rr,Cu