Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-11

upon my native shore was unattended
anything but joy and happiness.
| The campaign on which you are about I
enter should be prefaced, if that be possibl
| by every voter in the United States seein
what | have seen good, good and hearin
what have heard during the last year
| (Applause.)
| The progress of the campaign in the Unit
ed States is viewed from European stand
| point, with an interest as profound as it
! in the United States. IL is the opportunit
of England. 1t is the long wished occasion
upon which the cheaper labor and th
cheaper fabrics Of the old world expect t,
invade the new, and lower the wages o
American workmen TO the European stand
ard. (Great applause.)
1t is not a contest of capital against eapi
tai it is not contest of partizan agains
partizan. Ii is much higher than either o.
those. 1t trancends all party motives. ZAP
plause). Whether the great mass of Ameri
can citizens who earn their bread by tn,
sweat of their brows, shall be seriously re
duced to their emolumen, from day TO day
(Applause.)
This is the whole pith and moment of thi,
question. Anything that diverts the question
from that single question is weakening tC
this campaign Applause and cries Of
good.
/ am here, as I hope to say with much
more elaboration, Applause and cheering
and cries of that's what we want | say
here that the wages of the American laborer
cannot be lowered except with the consent
and the votes of the American laborer him
self. The appeal is to him. 1t comes tC
his door and asks him whether, with the greal
power of the franchise and great majority
he possesses in his own hands, he is willing
for himself and his associates, his children
and his childrens children tottake that fata
step at the bidding of an American Congress.
Or an American President who are governed
by that element which sought to destroy the
nation.
But gentlemen, this is not a time for a
political speech. My heart is too full al
this time TO enter on Heightened
argument. In this moment of welcome and
joy, getting home to old scenes and old
friends, must be allowed to enjoy the
pleasant emotions of the occasion. | cal
only add my fervent thanks to each and
every member of the club, and to all friend,
for the generous and joyous welcome they
have extended to me in the harbor OF New
York.
While Mr. Blaine was speaking, the cabin
was packed to its utmost limits. The great
est enthusiasm prevailed. An outburst OF
cheering followed the conclusion of his
speech.
Afterward Mr.. Blaine ascended to the up
per deck where he received the congratuia-
tons of all, having pleasant word for each.
While there, he was handed poetcal ad-
dress by Mr.. Edward Fitzwilliam of Boston,
representing the Workingmen's Protective
Union of Massachusetts. He was also pre-
sented with an address by Murat Halstead,
representing the Young Mems Blaine Club
of Cincinnati.
When told that the Irish Americans pro-
posed to serenade him tonight and present
him with an address, he replied
That's all right: I'm glad of it"
While the Starin was steaming up the
North river, the band played and the passen-
gers INDUCED in frequent cheers for Blaine.
All along the rivers it was escorted by the
police boat patrol, the Chicago Blaine club
tug and other vessels, while a constant series
of shrill salutes from the steam whistles of
all the boats that passed, marked its progress
to the pier at 22d street and North river,
where Mr. Blaine and all on board disem-
barked. Mr.. Blaine was escorted to an open
carriage and at once driven TO the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, surrounded by a crowd which
cheered enthusiastically the familiar form
of the great statesman.
Another Ovation.
So many people had congregated about the
hotel entrance that the carriage had to halt
some feet from the curbstone. Mr.. Blaine
lifted his hat and smiled, bowling meanwhile
to the enthusiastic assemblage. He walked
through the narrow passage and into the cor
ridor, and walked up the broad staircase.
lie had disappeared from view for a mo-
ment, but in response TO continued calls for
speech" Mr.. Blaine returned to the head
of the stairs and said: just word to
thank you for your tributes. ltis the proud
est sight and most cheerful sounds have