Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-14
At South Ffaminsham


At South birmingham
smaller but no, less enthusiastic gathering
swaited Blaines coming. When the traiu
stopped little girl vas pushed forward
through the crowd bearing aloft in her ex.
tended arms an American fag wrought il
flowers. on which was worked the inscription
South birmingham Welcomes James G
Blaine" The little girl. whose name 10 Ada
e. Bent, began prepared spsech with the
words, ''Mr. Blaines The ladies of South
birmingham, present you this but she va.
ruthiessly cut % by Col, J. G. Crawfurd OF
Clinton. Mass, Who introduced Blaine. The
foral flag. however. was handed up to the
ear aud. subsequently much admired by Mr..
Blaine and his party friends.
Blaine was received with the usual demon
strations and enthusiasm. He began his
speech by saying: THE one question
which is uniting and inspiring the republican
party everywhere, 10 beet illustrated by
progress and history. Massachusetts, for
after all, Massachusetts perhaps, furnishes
the hDcsi- example of Industrial progress in
the U. 5
AT this point Blaine was interrupted by the
backing up of car, which caused a gen.
eral scattering of the crowd.
That's the Way"
said Blaine, that Harrison locomotive Is
going 10 scatter democrats unless they get
out Of my way to avoid being hurt. before
Blaine had time to pick up the the thraad of
speech the train began TO move, much to
the Disappointment, of the crowd which
had come from West Framington,
80 ltaf al thA,
cheering heartily for Blaine, waving adieus
TO them as the train moved from the depot
South birmingham was the last station at
which stop was made. The train sped on
at high rate of speed and made up lost time
despite the numerous DELAYS of the day. 1t
rolled into the depot at Boston only five min
utes behind the schedule time.
On alighting from the train, Blaine was
conducted to an open barouohe, and DIR. Bur
den, chairman of the state committee took
seat beside him. Four horses attached were
driven slowly through the streets to the Ven
dome. Blaine appeared tired and worn and
the party arrived at the hotel at G.35 o'clock.
He was welcomed by some 200 people who
set up loud huzsa, to which Blaine lifted
his hat. He vas conducted 10 a suite of
rooms prepared for him, and soon after the
Hobbies of the hotel were crowded with sym
pathizers while the Cadet Band played in
spring airs. The appearance of Blaine was
well canvsssed and all agreed that he looked
worn. The Blaine party were conducted to
the supper room, and at intervals fireworks
were displayed The throDg increased on
Commonwealth Avenue until at s.45 o'clock,
there must have been eight or ten thousand
people present. The multitude amused it.
self by singing In chorus
Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine" and other
dtties. Finally, the crowd sang "We won't
go home till moring" A little before nine
O'Clock the air Was rent with the noise of py-
rotechnic bombs. and the whole avenue was
lit up with phosphorescent lights. This was
the signal for the appearance of the plumed
knight, who vas preceded bw Secretary
Southworth, and followed by DR.. Burden,
Hon. Henry c. Lodge. Hon. A. w. Beard
and others.
B,aine's Appearance
evoked tremendous cheers, renewed again
nd again. While these we're being given
Blaine turned u Dr.. Burden and remarked
of the balcony on which he stool Where is
something insecure about this" The doctor
reassured him, however.
DIR. Burden said Fellow citizens, during
the past week the people of the United States
bebeld the most unprecedented spectacle of
thousands and thousands of citizens from all
parts of the Union who have been in New
York for the purpose of welcoming home the
private citizen loud spplaasel who Genes
among us tonight, not a candidate for Of
fee. not with the pomp and display of q
general, but as private soldier in the
ranks ready for orders. Prolonged cheers. D
But our general. Ben Harrison Tremendous
applause will not allow him to remain long
as private soldier in the ranks. Cheers.
HsNiIf issue hs0 his commission as COM
mander-in-chief of the republican fuEees in
the field. Lead cheers. And the repub-
licans of Massachusetts, and everywhere else
will press where shey see his white plume
shine Cheers in the thickest of the fight.
and then the republicans of the Bay State
under the magnificent leadership of the
Plumed Knight of Maine fAppIausel will
carry her electoral vote by more than 40, ,00t
plurality Loud cheers for Harrison and
Morton IApplause.
Fellow citizen. | now have the pleasure OF
introducing James G.. Blaine. Long con
tined cheers.
Mr. Blaines Speech.
Mr.. Blaine waved hi. hand for silence bu
il sss soaae tme before he could hope to b
heard. At length be &slA.
my voice has been 20 mach worn toda]
by much speaking that doubt whether
may be heard to the limit of this great as
mbly to return thanks 10 their greeting ppor
my return to New England; but for sh tn,
absence and feeling Of exile a man feels
Who remains beyond the sea for NOR
than year I am compensated owe
cent welcome I have received since
touched ny native shore. Loud applause.
From 10 town. city or State has this beer
more grateful than from Boston and III.
great and leading State of Massachusetts
Cheers. Never since the republican party
! came into existence more than century age
at no time, on no issue. under no exigency
has Massachusetts, failed to respond for II
right Applause. Never was MassschHsett
called on 70 perform a more important par
for a more beBeheient end than in this yea
Of grace. 1898, in elecfiHg Harrison and Nor
toa. lCbeers and cries of I'VE can DO
and we Wilt What Massachusetts, .~y,
she can do she viii do. Renewed applause.
Already our opponents have take
alarm and the members Of th
yocug mems Democratic club Of Ma "a
ehzsetis have set themselves to the t&sx q
prove that yoa can introduce free trade 9
the United States without reducing fh
wages Of the American lAborer- The
are alarmed lCries Of They ought 70 be- :
President Cleveland 10 alarmed, the suevw,
ers of the Mills bill aye alarmed ard-s a
democraxie pny b alarmed heeaaae ths
i uho vill resent the assenps TO place them .
tbe low basis Of the European plsas
| [Cheers-l We viil let the demecssfc pr,