The Evening critic., 1884-08-07
OUR NEXT PRESIDENT
Has n splendid Reception from TN,
RnsfneAa Mon of Portland.


business Men of Portland.
The reception to Mr.. Blaine by the business
men OF Portland last night was q brilliant one
The hall was packed, the seats being removed
and the audience standing. while the galleries
were fllled with ladies. Mr.. Blaine held no.
ception in the Mayors ONCE. At O'Clock no
was conducted to the platform, leaning upon
the arm OF Congressman Reed, being received
with great cheering. Mr.. Reed, In n happy
speech, presented the business mon OF Port.
land to MIR. Blaine, saying, jocularly, that II he
attempted to present them individually II
would soon be apparent that Mr.. Blaine was
better acquainted with them than he. Mr..
George Woodman, as the spokesman OF the
merchants, then read an address to Mr. Blaine,
which was signed by over 300 business men
ard firms OF the city.
The address, after expressing qualification
that citizen OF Maine had been made the re-
cipient of the Presidential nomination, says:
'Although we have not oil boon able to agree
with YOU upon political questions, we have all
Ind confidence in your integrity as a man and
your purity and ability as statesman; and we
are united In the conviction that should the
people OF tho United States ratlfy tho choice OF
your political associates you will give the
country an administration unrivalled In its
vice sOlicitude and practical measures for the
promotion OF oil our National interests, and
Tor Its painstaktng care for the publication
and perfection OF all departments OF the public
service."
Mr.. Blaine replied as follows:
"FELLow.CITIzENs: do not know how to
express my sense Of the great honor you pay
me In this most cordial reception, all tho more
grateful because not rendered in a partisan
spirit and for partisan advantages. For the
business men OF Portland have, from personal
knowledge, always entertained profound re.
spect. In no community has higher stand
ord OF mercantile honor been maintained, a
more taintless commercial credit, than In your
beautiful city. The prosperity that You enjoy
is tho legitimate fruit OF comprehensive In
telligence, Industry and courageous enter
prise.
"Though never o citizen CT Portland, 1
was resident among YOU for noarly three
years, beginning In 1857 and ending in 1850.
During that time was editor OF tho DailV i'd
tefttSer, and was In constant intercourse with
tho business and professional men OF tho city.
recall O no more pleasant period, and In n
wide sense no more profitable period In my
life. quarter OF a century has since elapsed
marked with events OF world wide importance,
but the flight Of years has not dimmed my APP
probation OF the friendships then formed,
nor OF the great kindness received in Port
land. We're to recall the long list OF eminent
men OF both parties, now no more, whom /
was then permitted to number among my
friends time would fail me, and this large AS
semblage, called for friendly greeting of tho
living, would be turned to eulogy OF this act
ing generation. Mono higher could be given
than that they are worthy to succeed tho FEES.
eendens, tho Shepleys, the Browns, the Lit.
ties and that great host of able and upright
mon whose names and whose careers are the
true glory OF Portland"
Introductions to Mr.. Blaine followed, many
gentlemen being introduced. -