Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-15
MIR. BLAINE AT HOME
Augusta Gives Her Distinguished Citi-
 zen Right Royal Welcome.
A VERY BIG DEMONSTRATION.
MANY HOUSES IN THE CITY DECORATED IN
 HIS HONOR,

Short Speech from Platform That Had Been Erected on His Lawn-He Will Go Ito Portland To-day to Make Speech, After Which He Will Return Home and Rest for n Few Days.
 AUGUSTA, Me, Aug. 15.-Last evening witnessed grand demonstration here. Mr. Blaine was to arrive here and all day prep arations were making for hls reception. Nearly all tho houses in the city were dec orated some being almost covered with flags banners, Chinese lanterns and mot toes of welcome.
 MT Blaine's home is on State street, fine old street, on which are the houses of the oldest and most prominent families or the city and State. The houses are of the commodious and substantial style Of architecture that prevailed q generation ago, and Mr. Blaine's is no exception.
 During the day speakers stand was erected on the lawn under a large butter nut tree, very near the spot where MT. Blaine stood when he received the commit tee which came to notify him of his nomin- ation in 1885, During the late hours of the afternoon crowds began to arrive in the trains from the East and West. Many people also came in with their teams from the country around. Uniformed companies came from almost all of the large cities of Maine, from Portland, Lewiston, Bidde- ford Bangor, Bath, Waterville, Hallowell, Gardiner and from tho smaller villages and towns.
 There were probably 15,00O people gath cred frJm all parts of Maine, cd into the narrow streets during the evening waiting for the arrival of the tram. The depot platform, adjoining streets and all the windows of houses near were full of people, while another large crowd awaited at Mir. Blaine's house.
 The train rolled into the Augusta station at 915, bearing MT. Blaine and party, es- corted hy the Portland Club of Portland. The bells of the city, which had been ring ing half an hour, pealed out with renewed vigor, aud the battery across the Kenne- bee began firing, the crowd meanwhile keeping up long and loud cheering. Mr. Blaine stepped from the train into bar ouche drawn by four Edaple gray horses. The Mayor of tho city, the Governor of the State and other dignitaries took scats with him, while other carriages took Mrs. Blaine and the other members of the family.
 The pro ssion was about an hour pass ing through the streets, which were bril- nantly illuminated. Just before reaching his home the procession passed under q triumphal arch on which 5lazed the motto, "Welcome Home," with picture of MT. Blame over 1t. From the arch to the house the distance was short and very soon MT. Blaine was on the stand erected for the oc- casion, and Judge Whitehouse WAS deliver Ing his address of welcome, to winch MT. Blaine respo nded follows:
 "Mr. Mayor, may 1 return to you, and through you to the eloquent orator who has addressed me in terms too partial, fear, my most sincere thanks for the man. ner in which you have voiced the kindness and cordlality of this reception, not merely by old neighbors, but by thousands of friends from all parts of the State. When 1 first heard that it was designed to give me be confined to friends and neighbors. "A Voce-'It is,D l thought that as had lived in this town since my twenty rfourth year, that as here my whole public and domestic history began and centered, congratulation from those who had known me for period of well nigh thirty five years might come as one of those happy incidents which now and then occur in the cordiality of human intercourse. But had no conception that there would be an outpouring Of men from all quarters of the State, that my friends would be here from the extremes of that common wealth which 1 love so well and which 1 have tried so faithfully to serve in public station. (Great applause.) You, 1 am sure, could have no conception how deeply 1t has impressed one who has been for more than year beyond the sea an exile for period from homo to meet a welcome boundless in its extent, unlimited in it's cordially beyond the power of human speech even to respond to-: l the dced and let you take my heart for the words which cannot reach the limits of this vast assembly, l am indebted to you more than l can express. ] am ln- debted to many committees in other States, to many calls in other towns in this State :; but there is something about ones home. There is a greeting at the door sill and on the threshold winch comes more directly n a q SQ fro, any other place or any other people, and it Is Ito you of Augusta and all the other towns which have done me the great honor that beg to pour out my thanks.
 II have seen much within the last year. ] have seen much of many countries---but can say with great truth that have see Il nothing ln any Kingdom or Europe which did not tend to give ne a higher and deeper and more profound appreciation of our own country. (Cheers) . 4-s, saasssa
 l have seen nothing in tho industrial systems of Europe that did not confirm me, if l had needed confirmation, in the belief that the indus trial system which is enjoyed by the people of the United States 1 at this tn tune is far wiser far more benefi- man and every citizen of the United States than any other we could adopt, nor do fail to recog- hire that the inspiration to many who sympathy which they have with me and which have with them [cries of true" anu cheers) in the pending contest in this nntiGn which Is to decide whether that great industrial system is to be maintained or whether 1t is to be impaired, if not de- stroyed. (Cries of Exactly so," "Good" and cheers I know that you came from that sympathy, and desire to reafirm my sympathy with you, and to say that If have ever heretofore been able in any small degree to say word in uphold ing that system, I hope may say many moro and many weightier words in the future than have Sald so far,n
 There was tremendous applause when Mr. Blaine finished, and it was long before tho enthusiasm was vent.
 The procession marched around Angus ta until midnight, and made the town as red as suspension of the prohibition law could make 1t. To-day Mr Blaine goes to Portland and makes his first real campaign stump speech. Then he will return to Au- gpstG and rest awhile at his home.
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