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Show Hl'KAKEK RKED. While in Boston on his way to Maine this week Speaker Reed attended a meeting that had been arranged for him, aud his reception at the same amounted almost to an ovation. Yes-sterday Yes-sterday on his return trip he was halted at several stations in New York and compelled to mako a short speech at each after which ho was invariably cheered to the echo. His reception at Portsmouth was a triumphal demonstration. demon-stration. It is possible, though we do not expect it, that ho may be defeated for congress next week, since his district dis-trict is naturally close and the disoharge from the navy yard of several hundred men is liable to hurt him, but just now he is without a doubt the most popular man in tho republican party. In fact were he a citizeu of somo larger or more doubtful state, or wero ho not a citizen of the same slate as Mr. Blaine, and if he succeeded in his re-election to congress, con-gress, Mr. Reed would at once become tho most formidable oandidate for president pres-ident of tho republican party. The people of tho United States like pluck in their public men, and Tom Reed possesses that quality in a most extraordinary degree. If anything he carries it to the verge of audacity. The democrats may abuse him aud curse him but ho never loses his cool self reliance reli-ance nor probably any sleep over it. Physically aud meutally he is a big man. Iu tho speakers chair he is a law all uuto himself and right or wrong ho takes a strong hold upou the imagination imagina-tion of the republican party. Altogether there is not another mau iu tho country just like Thomas B. Reed. |