Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-03
ENTHUSIASTIC
Was Meeting of French Re-
pub|icans, Last Night.
One thousand People Attend--Mc-
Kinley Guards Make Fine Showing.
Messrs. Forest and Bonneau Addr ess Meeting
in French Language.


From the time the Mckinley Guards
left the Kendall street schoolhouse, at
7.15 o'clock, till the band at City hall
had played the farewell, anyone who
thought that the French Republican
voters of Augusta We're lacking in en-
thusiasm, must have been a person
without any brains.
Twas a rouser from start to finish,
and the 1000 persons who attended
wendell their way homeward, declaring
that as sure as November came around,
they would use their influence for Nc
lfinley and Hobart, for sound money.
and for the protection of American in
terests.
The celebration commenced at 7.15
O'Clock, when the Mckinley Guards. 200
strong, composed of Republican voters
OF Ward ). left the schoolhouse on Ken
dali street, headed by the Augusta Ca
Diet band, with torchlights and uni
| forms. and proceeded up Washington
street, up Franklin street. down North
ern avenue, up Water to the foot of
Rines' hill, thence back again through
| Water street to the City hall.
Didn't they look fne?" said one by
! stander.
They were immense, those Mckinley
Guards" said another
| These were but two of the MANY com
mendations which We're showered upon
this organization, which from now un-
til next November will keep the battle
| quite warm in this vicinity.
| When the glad tidings have come in
| the month after October, when word
has been received that Mckinley and
gold have won, the Guards will turn
out in goodly numbers and cheer the
Republican standard bearers to the
| echo
The meeting at City hall was called
shortly after o'clock, with C. A. Miron
as chairman. Seated upon the stage
were w, Fl. Williams, chairman Of the
Republican city committee: Can't J. L.
Kingsley, Sergeant Joseph Wedge and
Sergeant Joseph Jobber of the Mckin-
ley Guards, and the two speakers. C. a.
Forest, Esq, of lewiston and Mr.. Al
fred Bonneau, editor of La Justice"
of Biddeford. The Cadet band played
an appropriate air and the meeting had
commenced in earnest
Mr.. Forest was the first speaker and
for 40 minutes held the closest atten-
ton of the audience Mr. Forest is one
of the four representatives on the Re
publican ticket in the city of Lewiston,
and is most interesting speaker In
the French language Mr.. Forest told
his auditors what would happen to
! them, to the French people who have
| themselves, who have become citizens
of this Commonwealth, if Bryan, upon
a free silver platform, should be
elected
Mr. Forest in an able manner ex-
planned the difference of the two ques-
lions, told why gold should win and
| country.
His remarks We're frequently pune
tuated with applause.
Mr.. Bonneau was the other speaker,
and a fine effort it was. The gentle
man is the editor of La Justice" a
French weekly paper published at
Biddeford, and knows the questions
that now confront the country in ev-
cry form and phase.
He spoke upon the money question
mainly and said there would be as
much rejoicing in the United States
among the French population in No
vember as there was. last June, in Ca
NADIA. when Laurier was made prime
multuous applause, as was Mr.. Bon
neau's mention of the late James G..
Blaine.
The speaker immensely pleased the
audience, and after he had concluded,
the band PLAYED a familiar and patri
otto piece and the audience pro-
ceeded homeWard.
1t was indeed a grand success all
around. and one which it is hoped be
fore the campaign is ended will be re-
peated.
Tho Mckinley Guards are all right
and will stay in the battle to the end.
Some people whose time is engaged