The Portland daily press., 1898-06-17

| Delegate Charles T. Goodwin, who went
back on tho instructions of the caucus
that elected him, but only two members
of the committee favored bringing the
matter before the convention.
Finally a majority report, favorins
recognition of the Dresser delegates al
large, was drawn up and signed by ]. S.
/ Fickett of South Portland, Carroll W.
Morrill, of Portland, P. P. Burnham oi
Bridgton, G. B. Woodman of Westbrook,
N. g. Pink ham Of Otisfield, N. p. Has.
kell of New Gloucester and W. j. Thomp.
son of Standish. The other two members
of the committee, Mr.. Despeaux and Mr..
Ross. declined to sign it, but finally con-
sented not to submit to the convention q
minority report.
THE CONVENTION.
There was SO many contests over the
various offices that lively scenes were wit.
messed in the City hall corridors prior to
the hour of convening. Delegates were
gathered in squads of three or four, dis
cussing the merits of this or that candi-
date, listening to declarations from the
heavy debaters and considering propo-
sitions right and left. All were talking
in suppressed tones which filled the air
with congiomerate hum that to the
busy clerks in the city and county offices
sounded weird.
Shortly after the appointed hour the
delegates climbed the stairs in prepara-
tion for the work of the day.
MIR. j. s. Fiokett of South Portland.
chairman of the county committee, opened
the convention at 1915, read the call and
invited Calvin q. Woodside, ESQ.,, OF
Portland,t to preside. He also named as
secretaries Messrs. George w. Norton, W.
| Fl. Brownson and A. 4. 7. Cummings
Mr.. Woodside stepped to the desk and
was about to address the convention.
when BENZ. Thompson, ESQ.,, presented a
request that an adjournment be made to
City hall, in order to accommodate all
who wished to be present and participate
in the proceedings. The convention voted
to follow his suggestion, and thereupon
followed a rush for the larger hall.
AS soon as the delegates had become
seated and the hum of many voices was
hushed, Chairman Woodside thus ad .
dressed the convention:
American citizenship means more to-
day than ever before. America, the first
great free nation, is the first to wage a
war of civilization, the first to teach tba
world a lesson in righteousness. In such
p cause it Is not strange that our
sailorE are inspired to deeds of heroisrn
that not only thrill every American
heart but challenge the admiration of orr
bitterest enemies The daring and cour-
age of Dewey and Hobson and their
brave companions give us new life, new
hopes, new ambitions; they make us glad
that we have lived to see the summit of
heroism reached by our own brave
countrymen. They give US new con-
ception Of the destiny of our nation and
we can gee America, the cradle of liberty.
the mother of industry. the champion Of
justice ana humanity.
We no longer have North and South.
A noble purpose has lifted US above SEQ.
tional strife and changed enmity to
friendship. We have become a united
people, one in pariotic purposes and in
our national life. We are all Americans
for America, and even war with all IFS
terrible cost may prove small price for
such grand results.
10 us at G1lS UlJn6 Uner6 is q special
pride and satisfaction that from q condi
tion Of dissensjon and debt we have
progressed to our present position Of
strength and power under republican
leaders. All praise is due to the heroes
of war, but this prodigious advance in
wealth and power is the greatest conceiy
able monument to the wisdom, strength
and patriotism Of the Republican heroes
who have brought our country to its
present greatness.
Such grand accomplishments for one
party are unusual, but the circumstances
Of the birth of the Republican party were
also unusual. The issues that led to it's
formation we're not issues of policy: thev
We're issues of right and wrong, and The
great party that had the courage to stand
fur the right, whatever. it cost, was corr.
posed Of cur best and ab1est men. 4
party OF such men ntst be On the rioEt
side OF all great Questions, must bring
the country great prosperity, must elevats
the people TO q condition where tyrannv
and oppression are unendurab Bic. ana
when on this side of the earth any foreion
nation endeavors to enslave it's neayia
and maintain a condition OF anarchy IL
will have to cope with one of the most
powerful nations on the earth.