Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-04
THE CAMPAIGN.
Addresses Delivered by Hon. ].
Il. Blaine and Hon. William
Gibson OF Ohio.
A Large and Enthusiastic
Meeting at Skowhegan.
SKowAEGAN, Sept. 8

pho" hEoAS, Scpa. D.
Although the fine weather of yesterda,
didn't prevail today, during the republican
rally at Skowhegan, an immensely larg,
crowd was present and Mr.. Blaine was given
another grand ovation. The atmosphere wa,
extremely chilly and the sky cloudy anS
threatening, but nevertheless 5000 people
were present.
special train from Waterville arrived a,
2 l5 P. NJ, bringing the speakers and the
Fairfield band. The distinguished speakers
were welcomed at the depot by gathering
OF thousands, who were enthusiastic in their
demonstrations. A delegation of citizens
waited upon Mr.. Blaine at Hotel Coburn
with the Skowhegan, Fairfield and Madison
bands, and escorted him to Island Grove.
The meeting commenced at 230 P. NJ, and
was called to order by Hon. Joseph o. Smith,
who announced Gep. R. B. Shepard as chair
man, with vice presidents from various towns
in the county.
The speakers platform was literally cover
ed with rare and beautiful flowers. Gen r.
b. Shepherd acted as president and T. B.
Townsend, vice president. Mr.. Blaine spoke
for 40 minutes upon the political issues of the
state and nation.
Hon. James &. Blaine.
He began his remarks by referring to the
fact that it was just 80 years this month since
he had first spoken on this spot in the heart
of the good county of Somerset. that he
| smoke them q ta nj nd ~ =,
after the many years, in which he received so
many manifestations of their favor, he now
returned to them in the same capacity
The active men then in the direction of affairs
have passed away and younger generation
has taken their places. He had thus en-
Joyed the friendship, support and generous con-
ndence OF two generations of men who had
been In action, old men when he began and
young men in more recent years of his pub
lie life. Throughout the long period, two
thirds of which he had been serving them in
representative capacity, he had battled for
the same Issues which are now prominent
and dominant, and leading in Importance all
others awaiting popular decision.
Mr.. Blaine then gave sketch of the county
OF Somerset, just as it was in 1856, carrying
the picture SO as to contrast the county and
state of 1856 with the county and state of
1856. The earlier period, said Mr.. Blaine.
was under the depressing tendencies of So
called free trade, later under the generous
development of protection. He gave statis-
tics OF the two periods, showing at the end of
the whole time that the citizens of Maine
possessed three times the amount of property
IN the aggregate than held at the beginning
He went into some detail as to the import
ance OF manufactures IN the various parts of
the State, especially exhibiting the prosperity
of Somerset county. He illustrated how the
wages of laboring men had increased as COM
pared with the period of time of free trade,
showing that wage workers of Maine had to
their credit a cash surplus of S27 ,000, 900 in
savings banks, whereas they had but little
more than $500, 200 in 1856 Free traders,
said Mr.. Blaine, are extremely bothered bv
these statistics, arguing that they have no
relevancy to the case and lead to no conclu-
sion favorable to protection. The number
of wage workers is about the same at both
periods. Maine had thus gained in wealth
without ahy essential increase in population
Perhaps we have not now more than $4,000
| people beyond the number which we had in
1856. Western states are continually noting
their increase. We have been drained of
thousands of active, young, enterprising men
who have gone to contribute to the wealth
and development of the great northwest; but
it is some satisfaction to know that within
the life time of single generation those who
| remained at home have trebled the wealth of
the State. 1t is gratifying admit, said Mr.
Blaine, to have large increase in population
with large increase of wealth, but if we
cannot have both would rather have en-
larged comfort for smaller number who re-
main than diminished comfort in the re-
sources for large number that might come.
N.> 40. Il e.
have left us, but with pride we send them
greeting that we have kept the old homestead
In good condition, and steadily grown in
prosperity, in power and in accumulation of
property. If the people of Maine err now in
a vote on the continuance or abolition of the
protective system, they would err with their
eyes wide open The two parties stand face
face to on that question throughout the Union
There is no difficulty, therefore, in ascertain
ing where either side stand. The democratic
party has tried to evade the issue, hitherto.
in national elections. Cries of That's So "
But all indications now point to determine
tion on the part of the governing element of
the democracy to openly oppose the doctrine
of protection. This would give to the coun-
try the clear cut issue on protection versus
free trade, which has never yet been wholly
secured. There has always been small
element of protection in the democratic party
that saved it from utter condemnation in GER
tain states where it has maintained foothold
By profession of the New Jersey and Penn
sylvania representatives in favor of protec-
ton the democrats have been able to hold
control in the former and at times to seriously
contest the latter, but if we can secure a
sharp and well-defned issue the result in the
future will be different. But the democrat.
are never quite willing to fight. They smother
opinion and disregard interests, defraud rep
resentation of 100000 of working people in
the South, and unless their clutch on national
power might be shaken they disfranchise
800, 900 white men in Dakota by denying
them representation in Congress. TCheers I
The people of Dakota already have ali the
attributes of state. They have schools,
colleges, free press, railroads and telegraphs,
and regularly organized courts-all the ele-
ments of free and self governing commu-
nifty, but unfortunately they are republicans
by large majority. [Renewed cheering.
And against every precedent in our govern
ment they are denied admission to the Union.
The motive for this action is clear, and is
worthy of all possible reprobation and con-
demnatiou. liz Waa an outrage upon human