The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-02-13


L could make visit to Maine in mid
winter, as always like to do, and be
present at the Lincoln Club Banquet, in
City HAIL. ON the evening of Feb. 18th;
but we are doing our best here to push
the business through and have an early
ADJOURNMENT and it is impossible for me
to leave.
You will be very much favored in the
presence of Senator Wilson of Washing
ton, who am very glad to learn is to be
there, and who will address the club.
His coming into the Senate was a dis
tinGtive and valuable addition to the
body. and am sure That all your guests
will enjoy hearing him.
He will give you some hearty and APP
preciative words for MIR. Reed who he
hopes and believes, as we do, will be the
next President of the United States.
very truly yours.
EUGENE HALE
Chicago, 31st Jany. '96.
My Dear Sir:--I beg that you will ac-
cept my thanks for the renewal of the
very kind invitation of the Ii ncoln Club
to attend its annual banquet on Feb.
18th.
1t is quite impossible for me to accept
it and beg that you will communicate
my regrets to the club and the assurance
of my great appreciation of the great
honor done by them to my fathers
| memory.
(Signed) Believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
ROBERT Z. LINCOLN.
| Other letters simply stating regrets in
a few words were from Senator Lodge,
Governor Greenhalge, of Massachusetts,
Governor Lippitt, of Rhode Island !;
Frank d. Haines, ex-Secretary, for the
governor of Connecticut; Hon. Charles
A. Boutelle, Hon. Nelson Dingley Jr.,
Hon. Curtis Guild. Jr., Hon. John D.
Long, and Governor Morton, of New
York.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr..
Libby presented as member of the club
and man who in his exalted position
has won praise for his conscientious
and brilliant performance of his duties,
Gov. Henry B. Cleaves. A round Of
cheers grseted the Governor, the compa-
ny rising while they cheered. Gov
Cleaves, like President Libby was inter-
rupted by cheers when he mentioned the
name of Reed. The Governors stories
of President Lincoln's treatment of cases
of desertion from the army we're receiv ed
with much amusement. GOV. Cleaves
| spoke as follows:
GOV. CLEAVES'S SPEECH.
And to you, Mr.. President, to the Chair
man of the Banquet Committee, and his
able assistants, and to the members of
this stalwart Republican organization, on
this happy occasion, we all bear our
hearty appreciation.
You are honored tonight by the pres
ence of the distinguished Senator from
| from Michigan, the able manager and
representative of that great New Eng
land Republican paper, the BOSTON Jour
nal, and by leading Republicans
| throughout our own State; we extend to
all hearty greeting You gentlemen
are among hospitable people; you are
within the limits of grand and growing
city, a magnificent and progressive COM
mon wealth; commonwealth that has
always shown her devotion to the flag
and she has never failed to speak in be-
half of humanity and the protection of
American citizenship.
Your Club is not only the Lincoln Club
of Portland but it is Republican Club;
it is unanimously, unitedlyaand devotedly
only exists but it is fully alive;it thinks,
1t acts, it speaks and it's voice is always
heard in favor of Republican principles,
In favor OF good and pure government i'll
every part of the country.
The great underlying principles of gov
eminent Lincoln believed in, the princi-
pies he advocated, you believe in and adj
vocate today. He believed in tho Ameri-
can Union and SO do you; he believed in
liberty, freedom and equality of rights
and so do you; he believed in dpholding
American citizenship everywhere; he
believed in protecting American indus
tries, American homes and American
labor and so do you. He believed that
this great government Of ours owed it's
first duty to its own citizens, to its own
people, and that it would be time enough
for us to show our solicitude for the well
fare of the industrial interests of other
countries after we had given full and
complete protection to our own. That
WIS Lincoln's doctrine and it is ours
The Republicans all over the country
are holding meetings tonight to cele-
brate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln,
one of the best, opo of nohlest. one of the
grandest Pleside Is the r, D bio ever ba d
And standing out ooltlly aud promine Mt
~ among the many elements of hi S
character was his unfaltering determine
ton to do right and to deal honestly and
Justly with mankind. He came to the
administration of the great office that had
been conferred upon him by the people at
time when the future existence of the
nation was doubted by many; but he
never wavered ;he never lost hope or cour-
age; he never faitered in his determine
ton to preserve the nation unbroken.
united, and with every star brightly
shining on your flag
He declare that this Republic of ours
had the right the power andSthe strength
to preserve it's own life, and compel obe-
dience to It's laws. He organized vast
armies; he built up a powerful navy:
more than two million men responded to
his call to aid in upholding the honor of
our flag upon the field of battle. bra
ham Lincoln was always loyal to these
men; he thoroughly believed in his
army, and was devoted to the private
soldier. The boys in blue always had his
encouragement; they always had his
syinpathy. He knew they were loyal