Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-01
THE WELCOME
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ton day the whole object would be
good Republican showing on that day.
The party had honored him with the
nomination. The office to which he
hoped to be elected was the highest in
the gift of the people Of Maine. The
Republicans of Maine were to lead the
way in this years great struggle and
it was their duty to show their contin-
ued loyalty to the principles of the
party. He should do his best to Sc
cure this result and believed that every
man who took part in the convention
would do the same thing.
No happier men were to be found in
the State Of Maine, Wednesday night,
than Maynard S. Bird, Knox member
of the Republican State committee, w.
S. Wight and F. w. Wight, all of Rock
land. These men have all been active In
the campaign in the interests of Mr..
Cobb and when it was all over they be-
came great big school boys out on Il
lark. They led the activities on the
boat.
L placed Mr.. Nights name last in the
list because it was of him that l pro-
posed to talk the most. He is Il remark
able man. About him is that magnetic
something which instinctively makes
you feel good towards him the instant
your eyes rest upon him. When you
shake hands and he says, in his soft,
mOdulated voice: PLEASED to know
you" you are captivated. For life
you are his friend.
AS Il manager he is a wonder. Elk
~ TI,n IN, inh hn
| handled the big Knox county contin-
gent during the convention. He has
been u ceaseless worker in the canvass
| and is as proud of the success of his
friend and partner as though it We're
| he instead OF Mr.. Cobb, who received
the nomination.
At Bucksport the future Governor
was saluted by the whistles of the
town, though the boat did not stop. At
Camden there was welcoming home
of the VictorS.
1t was at Rockland, though, that
things happened. The wharf was
| ablaze with red fire and was thrOnged
| with the thousands who had assembled
| to receive their hOnored fellow towns
| man home. Horns were blowing, bells
| ringing, pistols and cannon crackers
popping. Every steam whistle in the
| city and on the steamers was screcch
ing Il triumphant welcome home to
Mr.. Cobb and his adherents.
1t was a fearfully discordant noise
| which the combination produced, yet
| to the ears of those who for weeks Had
been in the thick of thesgTeatest poll
| teal canvass Maine haSSever known
it was the most delightful music which
| they had ever heard. 1t was the song
of victory, the proclaiming to the
world that Rocklands favorite son was
| the winner.
| Mr.. Cobb was visibly affected by the
welcome and when the boat was suffi-
| GENTLY close to the wharf to see the
great crowd and hear the cheering he
spoke to those about him saying how
| ii touched him to see the great interest
which his friends and neighbors were
manifesting.
| On the wharf was a crowd of 5000
men, women and boys. and they We're
cheering and shouting to the full ca
pacity of their lungs. a carriage was
| liz "dillllSo " SollNcy MI. 1ODD " Ills
home in Middle street. The Tilson
Light Infantry, the local military or
Sanization, was drawn up in line and
when the candidate came off the boat
fired Il salute and gave Il rousing three
| times three and Il tiger. With the band
| leading and the military organization
acting as an escort of honor, the crowd
fell in and escorted Mr.. Cobb home. 1t
was continuous ovation all along the
| line, for up town the streets were
thrOnged with other thousands who had
| not gone to the wharf. Though the
hour was nearly > A. NJ. when the pro-
cession started, Rockland was as full
| of life as at midday.
Mr.. Cobb was kept busy all along
the route bowling his acknowledgment
Of the kind words ana cheers given him
/ by the crowds.
d Ordinarily the night would have
caused grumbling, for Il nasty mist
| was falling and Il rather cold wind pre-
| vailed. Nc one minded it. So far as the
| moisture was concerned it might lust
as we'll have been 4 bright moonlight
| The celebraters were out to do honor
| TO their fellow townsman and it is
| doubtful if Il cloudburst could have
| dlmpcned their ardor. The pavemcnts
were covered with mud. but that was
of no consequence. Men, who in the
| every day course of events would kick
| if there was the semblancc of mud
on the cross walks, splashcd through
| two or three inches of the sticky wet
lime dust mud and laughed at the joke
of the thing.
| 'Therell be, shoes after tonight. but
we wont always. or often. have an
opportunity to give Neighbor Cobb a
reception of this kind,'
| So said one man, who was talking
about the celebration, and his senti-
ments were that of the city. And so
they FLASHED through the streets
|. The uproar did not end with the ar
rival of Mr.. Cobb at his residence, for
the crowd continued to parade the
streets until daylight.
1t was Il reception of which any man
may well b" proud. A reception such
| as can only come from hearts filled
with genuine admiration, love. honor
and good wishes. No one who saw it