Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-02-14
PORTLAND LINCOLN CLUB
Addressed by Gov. Powers, Conaressmsn
Stevens and Other Noted Men.

ioftiand, FEB. l3-Thc Lincoln Club
one Of Portlands progressive politicaI
organizations, which figured so promi
nently in the Reed Presidential boom two
years ago, held its annual banquet nj
Inc Preble house, last night. Among the
guests were Congressman Frederic G.
stevens of Minnesota. and Gov IJewcI-
Iyn Powers. All the prominent Rcpubl-
cans of western Maine and a number
from other sections of the State were
present.
a rcceotion took pIac" in the parIors
from 80 10 O'Clock and the banfnirt
nan WAS then taken possession Of Two
mammoth portraits Of Lincoln ana Pres
ideht Mckinley looked down upon the
asscmblaSc Pictures Of Congressman r
y. Reed James &. Blaine and cx-Goy
Henry u. tleavcs also figured in the
ase,U,oratloh; TWO hours of specchmakng
followed the banquet
county Attorney George Libby prcsi-
dent of the Lincoln Club. made an clo-
quent introductory speech, in which the
memory Of the martyred Lincoln was
hohofed letter of regret from Prrsi-
dent Mckinley was read. and. following
H. TINS telegram from the Hon. Thomas
Il, Reed, member Of the Lincoln Club:
a health to the Lincoln club. strong in
the faith and equally strong in action.
ho"d men ana true, always ready" The
reading Of this telegram called forth an
"utburst Of applause Letters from Sen
ator Eugene Hale ana GOV Wolcott of
Massachusetts. were also read
Gov. Powers of Maine was given a cor
dial greeting when he arose to speak
He paid high compliment to the Lin
coin Club and its energetic officers Re
ferrlng to the national political outlook
he said he believed the issues before the
country We're never graVer than at pres
ent. He expressed belief that the honor
of this republic is safe in the hands of
the Republican President. who is main
tanning a dignided foreign policy and is
not taken off his feet by the jingosts
GOV. Powers predicted that the same
issues upon which the last national cam
paign was fought viii be uppermost in
I'VE. believe" said he. lin q currency
that Is good throughout the world We
know that the policy outlined by the men
WHO advocate free coinage of silver at Il
ratio Of lG to l Is not doctrine of BIZ
m"'allism but mOnometalism and
cutting loose from other commercial
nations aud ranging ourselves alongside
Mexico and China.
when Maine speaks. next September
he added, "sh" viii speak as she always
has spoken. IN favor Of Republican prin-
cipies and sound currency and viii send
Ia Congress men who can be- relied on to
maintain the integrity and honor Of the
country.
He declared that thp nation is On the
road 10 prosperity, in spite Of the calan-
ity howlcrs. 1t will take some time. he
added, for US 70 eradicate all the evils in
fictcd on the country by Democratic
administration. but We will do it.
Mayor Charles H. Randall voiced the
rilrs welcome to the guests of the occst-
sion. and predicted stcadfastness on
Portland part in the line Of Republic
caulSm.
The next speaker was CONGRESSMAN
Stevens nt Minnesota. a son OF Maine
II" WAS accorded hearty reception, the
whole assemblage rising To It's feet and
giving him a round Of cheers.
Congressman Stevens paid tribute to
some If Maine great men Of the past,
and added: "Eut you have not been
weary in Your well doing. In your own
G"od time You sent forth the COLOSSUS Of
R'publicanism to reform the parliament
AIRY procedure Of the country. and to
guard and guide Alright its legislation and
progression.
Mighty Of intellect steadfast in cour-
age. broad the world in his wisdom.
and as the nation in his patriotism, lofty. 4
vet practical. in his ideals and achieve
monts thoroughly American in every
thought and aspira ton. Thomas b. Reed
If Portland. has become Speaker Reed of
the United states
n do not know as it would honor him,
but Very large section of his country
men feel it would greatly honor and pro-
t",t them. if they could extend his con
~titu"ncy. and promote the great leader
of he American Congress to be leader,
and ruler of the whole American people.
"What victory has been his. To have
transformed the unwieIdly. unruly, I'M
progressive and uubuSinesSlke House of
Representatives. into the most steady and
progressive most huSincsslike aid repre-
sentative Legislative body on earth.
And to have even the Democratic
party. which 50 violently denounced his
reformation of its had ma'lners and in
competency. finally compelled to make
the stone which they rejected from the
builder become the head Of the corner.