The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-24
Ex-sPEAKER REED in CHICAGO.
Big Reception at the First Regiment Arm
ory-A Great Audience Hears Hi
Speech.

The big armory of the First Regiment
Michigan avenue and Sixteenth street, was
taxed to its utmost capacity by the i'm
mense crowds which assem- bled last
night to hear ex-6peaker Thomas B..
Reed. At O'Clock, an hour before the
time set for the opening of the great Re-
publican meeting, there were few vacant
seats in the spacious building. The fl 90 r
was sea of humanity, and the three
large galleries were filled.
The gathering was notable one, and
differed in many respects from the Ordi-
nary political rally. 1t was typical
Chicago gathering, and was representa-
tive of the best elements OF the city.
Judges, preachers, merchants and pro-
fessional men were there in hundreds,
most of them being accompanied by
their wives and daughters. Indeed,
the large number of ladies. in the audi
ence added considerably to the eclat OF
the occasion and was signif GA 1t of the
deep interest in Republican principles
and efforts which has been awakened in
the homes of the people. But while the
men who labor with their brains were
present in such great mum ers they
were after all only a fraction of this
gathering. The immen se crowds that
packed the armory from floor to the top
most gallery were composed of what the
French call the bourgeoisie, the bone and
sinew of the community. the industrious
workers who form the backbone of the
social body. and who have the greatest
interest in the government of the
country.
1T was a good humored gathering,
trimming over with enthusiasm, and
ton. Indeed, in the abundance Of its
good nature it spared a volley of cheers
(slightly ironicaD for segment of a
Democratic torchlight procession that
got mixed up in its topography and
marched to the wrong meeting place. A
band in the gallery at tue west end of
the hall played patriotic airs and helped
to st stimulate =, the prevailing enthusiasm.
the coming of Mr.. Reed quartette
helped to pass the time away. Its songs
were in the nature of political popular
ditties. AS the tall form of the famous
stateman came under the observation OF
the general audience there was scene
of tumult. Cheers of cyclonic force
were given and handkerchiefs and hats
were waved, the entire audience stand
ing to greet the distinguished visitor.
+ Accompanying Mr.. Reed were Arthur
Dixon, president of the Hamilton Gu b
and chairman of the meeting; ex-Gov-
ernor Oglesby, John r. Tanner, Frank
J. Moulton, secretary of the Hamilton
Club; Congressman J. Frank Aldrich,
Henry R. Belknap, Alderman Madden
and George B.Swift. Mr.. Reed and his
escort took their seats on a small plat
form which had been specially built at
the west end Of the hall to serve as a
rOstrum.
The meeting opened with some more
music from the guartette. The singers
asked: did you hear the news from
Manner and then told about Reed s
victory and the thrashing the Democrats
got. They next asked: aid you hear
the news from England" and we re 60
ing to tell something about Wilson but
the audience did not want to hear it. A
mighty chorus of Reed, Reed, Tom 3.
Reed" came from the galleries, and the
singers, seeing that the audience was
inpatient, retired without having a
crack at Johnny Bull and his American
ally.
Mr.. Reeds rising was the signal of the
renewal of the wild scene of enthusiasm
which marked the entrance of the dis
was given, there seeming to be rivalry
between the occupants of the floor and
gallery. 1t was only when the band
joined the din with specially ear split
ting blare that the people gave over
cheering. Mr.. Reed throughout the
ovation stood unmoved and undisturbed,
modestly bowling his acknowledgements