The Portland daily press., 1885-01-07

Gentlemen, this is a historic place. Our
predecessors have met here, year by year, to
enact the peoples will and promote the well
rare OF the commonwealth. The past is Sc
cure. They have added much to the pro gress
and prestige OF the State. We, their success
ors, will be fortunate if we make for ourselves
an equally good record. do not doubt that
you have come here with high resolve, each
and all OF you. to consider only what shall be
for the best good OF all.
When we were elected in September, Maine
rang out verdict for broad ana inspiring
American statesmanship, under the lead of
one who, IL he did not, like Hamilton, make
the Constitution, or its financial side, won-
derful instrument, certainly would, had he
been elected, have impressed 1t into service
OF untold frueDtity; who would have taken
the country redeemed from a possible vast
slave empire established by military power;
and placed 1t foremost of all peoples, upon the
tirm foundation of liberty and union, accord
ing to the genius of Christian civilization.
Then, following on with a great tide of pros
perity, when our nation, seated upon conti-
nent from sea to sea, with SO propitious war;
ETY. OF climate, and such imperial wealth of
resources of every kind, having brought all its
powers to bear upon its productions and oppor-
tunities would become absolutely invincible,
because entirely independent, and thus realize
the fond hopes of our Republican party. An
accident has postponed all this, and We meet
today, knowing that our opponents have tem-
uUtdtliy u0loabou OuE STodt loauoEs w . nIo
not cast down, but determined more than ever
to accomplish our God-given mission of liberty
and freedom, in fact, as we'll as in name. Co.,
600 of citizens are deprived of their full right
of citizenship, and to use the language OF one
who is immortal in the conception, "all other
issues driven out of the arena, God chains this
age to the redemption of the slave"
In our leniency, we have made mistakes in
the settlement of the Southern question.
Without stopping to inquire who made the
la.
manent solution of it until there has been COM
plete emancipation, land secured to every ne
gro family, either separately or in organized
communities, the schoolmsster set to work in
every village, and the tide OF free immigra-
tion turned on in those fertile regions from
which it has hitherto been excluded.
In other words citizenship, homes, education
and commerce. These are the potent factors
which the Republican party must foster. How
much attention they will receive at the hands
of the Democracy in their attempt to hold their
party together in the scramble for place al
ready begun running right along with the
promise to the Independents, who, of course.
don't want office, to enforce the law of civil
service reform, you can judge as well as 1.
To speak of other matters more immedi Ately
at hand. AS the dep9sitarie5 of the political
power of the State, we, as party, will ba held
justly responsible for the soundness or want of
it, in all that pertains to its welfare SO far as it
may be sffected and influenced by legislation.
do net hesitate to ask you to consider well
our institutions whether they pertain to apri-
culture, manufacturing, education, temperance
and the public morals. Deal with these all
wisely and not meanly-generously and not
lavishly. Again return you nay sincere
thanks.
The vote for a candidate for clerk resulted
in Nicholas Fessenden being nominated, he re-
ceiving 81 to 13 cast for j. W. Mitchell OF Au-
burn.
On the third ballot VIM. S. Cotton of Lisbon
was nominated for Assistant Clerk, receiving
81 votes to AT for James A. Place of Berwick.
John f. Chase of Windsor was nominated
for Messenger, and ". j. Smith of Topsham
was nominated for First Assistant Messenger
and Geo. F. Fisher of Winterport was nomin-
ated for Second Assistant Messenger.
The following members of the House were
chosen to call future csucuses: Messrs. Hale
of Portland, Fogg of Bangor and Powers of
Houlton.
THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
The Democratic members Of the Ho1ss held
a caucus in the judiciary room.
Enoch Cousins of Kennebunkport presided.
George T. Sewall was secretary.
The following nominations were made:
Speaker j. e. Moore of Thomaston.
Clerk-F. n. Jack of Bowdoinham.
Assistant Oierk-George B. Lsavitt Of Deer