Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-26
Hon. Thomas B. Reed.

It may seem that nominating Hon.
TIL omas B. Reed for Congress has become
an old story. 1t has, but it is one of those
old stories one never tires of. In the his
tory of First district conventions there has
been no more enthusiasm than was exhibit
ed by the unusually large number of dele
gates W no assembled at Biddeford Tuesday
to renominate Mr.. Reed for the tenth con-
secutive time. Each succeeding term has
made him stronger with the people of his
district. They have come to appreciate
more and more his spotless integrity, his
answering loyalty to principle, and his
brilliant at.ainments which have added
lustre to the fame of the First district. But
the people of the First district now appre-
ciate another fact, that knowledge of these
characteristics of their representative is not
confined to his district, that they are
known and admired throughout the land.
The man who, as speaker of the last Re-
publican Congress, stood tower of strength
for the rule of the majority and was Bit
terly maligned by the opposite political par
ty, goes before the voters of his district
triumphantly indicated in the humiliation
of his opponents at being compelled to adopt
the very rule which Mr.. Reed put into
practical operation. But his triumph in
this, as in other respects, is not in the
broadest sense personal. 1t belongs to the
Republican party of this nation, to wise
craftsmanship, and places him today fore
most among those equipped to become the
national standard bearer of the Republican
party. We believe Hon. H. H. Burbank,
chairman of the convention that nomi-
mated Mr.. Reed, spoke words of pro-
phetic import. He said:
"You are met here today to inaugurate
a campaign in this first Congressional
district of Milne, which is of national
ken and import. You will here and now
set in motion an elective contest whose
result will return to the 54th Congress
the next speaker of the next House of
Representatives. Every American citizen
has already anticipated your work here
this day. Let me adjure you that when
your deliberations are ended, and this
convention has adjourned, you and the
men whom you represent shall enter upon
the work Of this campaign earnestly, thor
oughly, unremittipgly, with this thought in
mind that this year may be our last oppor-
tunity to vote at our State hustings for one
who has so long and so faithfully represen-
ted this district in the national legislature.
For, all over that portion of our glorious re-
public where votes are cast and counted
without fear or fraud, the people are whis-
pering to him. Come up higher" Appre-
ciating such honorable service, and catch
ing these whisperings of the people. shall we
not as cordially as we today make this nomi-
nation, see to it that the Republican major
ity in this district next September shall ex-
coed the unbroken record of the past eigh-
teen years. read the answer in your
eyes. In this district, in this State, in the
entire North, the voters are impatiently,
not 'timidly" awaiting the contests of 1894
and 1896, to put their seal of condemnation
upon Democratic policies, drive the
money changers from cur national citadel
and send back to Washington a House, q
Senate and President who will in their
legislation and administration serve the
American people, and subserve the inter-
ests and welfare of our entire nation"