The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-11
NOTES.
Democratic Flag Raisings.

The Democrats had three flag raisings Satur-
day night. The evening was cool and pleas
ant, Chambers band was present and there
were very good audiences in attendance though
not as large as would have been expected from
the fact that it was Saturday evening, the hol.
iday night of the mass of voters and the first
Democratic rally of the campaign.
A band stand had been erected in front of
Congress Hail. the Democratic headquarters.
The steps of the First Parish church, nearly
opposite were covered by goodly number of
ladies until the speaking was we'll underway
when they departed. The crowd was punched
on the sidewalk directly in front of the band
stand, and on either side of the entrance to the
hall At7.15 p. M, the band played an enliv-
eniDg air, and at 7,30 the Cleveland Gu ards Of
Ward 1, with faring torches, marched down
stairs from the headquarters and took position
in the middle of the street facing the speakers.
AS they halted in line the band, by a curious
accident, played very pretty fantasia on
Maryland my Maryland" the old favorite
''secesh" air, which was taken from the famil-
lar college song of "Lauriger HordtiuS". Then
Mr.. E. B. Winslow introduced Col G. B. Mer-
rill as chairman of the meeting.
Col. Merrill harangued the crowd in true
demagogue style. He said the hea vens were
kind to them and they were not compelled to
take refuge under the dome OF City Hall. They
were not met on this occasion Irrespective OF
party" neither did they need to follow the ex-
ample of their opponents and retail scandal. In
the same breath he declared this was Demo
cratic not business mems meeting, and their
watches and pocket books were safe. Now,
said he, "throw out the starry flag, and it was
evident the colonel didn't know much about it,
for large white banner, inscribed with the
names of the party candidates was run out
amidst music by the band, cheering BY the
boys, and the burning of red fire.
Mr.. j. Fl. Mcdonald, from Boston, young
man with good voice, was then introduced,
who proceeded to carry out Col. Merrill's state
ment that their speakers did not villify their
opponents(?) by retailing to the crowd all the
scandals against Blaine he could think Of He
was rewarded by several weak cheers, mostly
from crowd OF small hoodlums who stood
close by. Mr.. McDonsid was followed by Col.
Elliot King, Democratic and Greenbaek candi.
date for county attorney, who told the crowd
If they would elect him next fall he would try
and fill the bill.
The Cleveland Guards, headed by the band,
then marched to Washington street whore an
other flag was raised. The street was prettily
illuminated in the vicinity Of the speakers
stand with Chinese lanterns, and many houses
were also illuminated.
Councilman Wilson acted as chairman and
Alderman Gallagher, candidate for Register OF
Probate, the speaker suggested to his constitu-
ents that they should not forget him, and saw
ing the American Democrats offered the Irish
Americans all they had themselves. Mr. GAL
lagher forgot that he is one of the first Irish
American candidates nominated by the Demo-
Gratis in Portland for lucrative office which
an Irish.American has enjoyed a responsible
office, the gift of the Republicans of Portland.
for several years.
From thence the procession marched to the
residence of Mr.. Braxton M, PARIS, a coIored
citizen, back of the cemetery on New Federal
st. Here flag was displayed. 1t was report
ed that Messrs. FL. #. Ruby and L. W. A.
johnson, (the latter the clerk OF the Ward
One club, were large contributors to this flag
but that Mr.. johnson was deprived of partici-
patton in the exercises as he was sentenced to
sixty days" in the county Jail on the 9th inst
A neighbor also stated that Tabalator Chase
was managing the affair. Anyway the flag
was pulled out without single colored man
in sight and none visible in the house which
the flag was displayed, the band played and
the crowd then marched home.
A prominent Democrat OF the city said to a
reporter: 1t SCENE to me ratification meet
ing of the candidates would have been proper
before the flag raisings, and furthermore, it Is
queer that of all the prominent Democratic
speakers in the city, not one was engaged to
cake part ON this occasion.
The Cleveland Guards, Capt. T. FL. Gately.
made very good appearance. They numbered
80 torches, and were dressed in neat red coats
white trousers with red stripe, and white naval
caps.