The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-11-13
Annals of Belfast tor Half
Century.
Century,.
BY AN OLD SETTLER
Hon. VIM, G. Crosby.l
CHAPTER XII. (lS44-5.)

The principal occupation of our voting
population from early spring until the
middle of November of this yea:, 1874,
was the discussion of the political ques-
tions of the day, the tariff and the an
neXation of Texas, the merits of the can
didates for the Presidency of the two
great parties, Wing and Democratic,
making or listening to public speeches,
and attending political meetings and con-
ventions. The Presidential candidates
were Clay and Frelinghuysen, Polk and
Dallas.
The former were nominated at Wing
Convention held at Baltimore on the first
day of May, About five days afterwards
the news reached here and the Wings
were excessively jubilant. The latter
were nominated AT a Democratic Con-
vention held at the same place on the
9th. Intelligence Of the event reached
here about the first of June, and was
welcomed by the Democracy with sa-
lutte of twenty-six guns and banquet at
the Phoenix House.
The campaign was inaugurated in this
place on the 9th of March by the forma-
ton of the Belfast Democratic Associa-
ton. of which Josiah Farrow was Presi-
dent, Benjamin F. Blackstone, Timothy
Chase and Richard Moody, Vice-presi-
dents, William T. Colburn, Secretary,
James P. Furber, George Patterson,
Alfred j. Libby, George Hemenway and
Abraham N. Noyes Directors; all of
them are still living, and residing here
with the exception of Messrs. Farrow,
Furber and Libby.
The meetings of the Association were
held in a room over the store on High
street then occupied by M. William S.
Brannigan, then styled Nc. 2 Phoenix
Row, now occupied by n. G. Prescott &
Company, until June following, when
they began to be held in hall over the
store of Furber and Bean on Main street.
The hall was fitted up as reading groom,
well furnished with seats, and its walls
decorated with numerous portraits
of distinguished democratic statesmen;
it was kept open to visitors at all times
except Sundays. A flag staff was erect
ed in front of it from which doated the
''star spangled banner. Two large signs
We're affixed to the front of II e building.
one bearing the words Democratic Hall,
the other POLK and Dallas; the latter
was so constructed that it could be illum
mated. 1t was dedicated on the oath of
June, on which occasion addresses were
made by J. G. Dickerson, ESQ.,, of Pros
pect, John K, True, Esq, of Montville,
Andrew I. Palmer and Nathaniel Patter-
son, Esqs., and Hon. Alfred Johnson of
this place. Judge Dickerson IS the onlv
one of the orators on the occasion now
living.
The young Democracy of the town
following the example of their elders,
formed an association called the Young
Hickory Club. The Club was orga nized
July 9th, and the following officers were
elected: David Haynes, President, Henry
E. Burkmar and Alden D. Chase, Vice
presidents, Hiram Chase, Corr. sec.,
Joseph S. Noyes, Recording Sec., James
H. Spring, Alfred J. Libby and Cornelius
l.. Wilder, Directors: The meetings of
the Club were held in Democratic Hall.
In imitation Of the Democrats the
Wings formed "Clay Club on the first
of June and for a while held their meet
ings in the old Masonic Hall, in the Ba-
bel. They afterwards erected building
on High street, opposite Phoenix Row,
to which they gave the name of "Wash-
ington Hall''. The building still stands
there, rer1lodeled by building basement
story and IN other PARTICULARS; the base
ment is now an engine-house and tie
rooms over it are occupied by Mess. Her
sey and Woodward. A Liberty Pole was
erected, surmounted by a ship. below
which foated the American flag with the
names of Clay and Frelinghuysen. The
design over the door in front was an
eagle perched on globe bearing in his
talons the word Protection. The hall
was dedicated on the evening of the
31st of July with songs and speeches.
The dedicatory address was by William
G. Crosby, Esq. Addresses were also
made by Solyman Heath, Esq. and
Franklin Muzzy, ESQ.,, of Searsmont.
A mass convention of the Wings OF
the county was held on the Square in
front of the Unitarian church on the
26th of August. The speakers on the
occasion were Richard F. Perkins, Esq
of Augusta, Hon. John c. Park of Bos.
ton and Ex-Gov. Kent; and in the even.
ing Lucius H. Chandler. Esq, of Thomas
ton, at Washington Hall.
Two days afterwards Democratic
mass convention was held on the Com