The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-20
THE MAINE ELECTION.

No candid man will pretend that the defeat
of the Republican Party in Maine in licatey an
abatement of hostility to the Nebras' Biz, or
to the aggressions of Slavery; for even the
candidates of the Administration Patty avowed
themselves opposed TO the Nebraska swindle,
and denied that that question was involved in
the controversy. The Wings also were loud in
denunciation of Slavery, and cooperated with
the LocofOcOs in order to defeat the LIQUOR
Law. This question of State policy will not
interfere with fair expression of public sent-
ment, next year, in the election of President !;
and we therefore look confidently for Repub
lican triumph, by twenty thousand majority
The National Hatelligcncer has the candor to
present fair statement of the causes which
led to the defeat of the Republicans in the re-
cent contest as follows
THE MAINE ELECTION.
The telegraphc reports heretofore published
will have informed our readers that the "Fu-
sionists " in the State of Maine, who, under the
name of Republicans" obtained a signal tri-
umph at the annual election last year, were on
Monday last as signally defeated. Governor
Morrill, has failed of a reelection by the people,
and his political adversaries have secured
majority in both branches Of the State Legisla-
ture, upon which the choice of Governor will
now devolve. 1t is certain, therefore, that he
will be superseded in office by one of his late
competitors before the people either Samuel
Wells, Democrat, or Isaac Reed, Wing.
One of the most prominent issues in this
election was the "Maine Liquor law" which
was supported by Governor Morrill, and his
friends, and opposed by an alliance of Wings
and Democrats. Speaking to this point, the
Eastern Argus, leading Democratic journal
of the State, says
"The triumph is all we could wish. Fusion
fanaticism and Neal Dowism have got a death
blow in their stronghold. We do hot forget,
however, that our victory is not an exclusive
Democratic triumph. Our noble allies, the
straight Wings, deserve all praise for the gen
erous and determined support which their pa
triotic love of the Union and their contempt for
the present administration Of our State affairs
has induced them to render our cause, and
with them we gladly share the Eonor of our
success"
The Portland (Maine) Adrertiser, an advo-
cate of the Liquor Law, says
We are defeated, but who has the victory?
'Ay, there's the rub The vote :or Mr.. Reed
certainly does not display him in The light of a
conquering hero. Indeed, as his supporters
made such general stampede from the Wing
platform, it is presumed they will not be very
eager to claim victory which can only publish
them as deserters. Nor can the old Democra-
cy appropriate the glory, if we are to take their
own word for it. From the beginning to the
end of the canvass, they have steadily disclaim
ed the existence of any of the ancient party
issues, and have nowhere adhered to exclusive
party candidates. They have loudly declared
that the Administration and its Nebraska meas
ures had nothing whatever to do with the con-
test. The Hunkers, as such, then, have not
conquered, unless they have been guilty of false
hood to the world, and of deception to their
Wing associates. We are defeated, then, if we
are to believe our opponents on State issues
alone. This means undoubtedly the blaine
Law."
The New York Erening Post says:
"The Republican party, which last year car
ried the State without difficulty, and which, if
it could have fought the battle on the sole issue
of the Nebraska question, could have easily
carried it again. entered the lists with the bur
den of the Maine Law upon its shoulders, and
broke down on the way.
The Republican party expected to made
great deal of the popular detestation of the
Nebraska act, but they failed to Surn that feel
ing in their favor. Their adversaries would
have no contest with them on that point; they
surrendered that measure, and all the enormi-
ties which it has since engendered, to the
odium they deserved, and confined the contro-
versy, so far as they were concerned, to ques-
tons of State legislation. In none Of the Jour
mails which opposed the election of Morrill, is
the faintest claim made of a Nebraska victory"
The Portland State Of Maine, Wing journal
opposed to the Republicans" in its number
Of Wednesday says:
"The revolution is full and complete. Last
year, the Republicans had the entire Senate,
and all but about forty members of the House
This year, the tables are turned.
The result shows an uprising of the people
against arbitrary and unjust laws. The prin-
cple of prohibition is completely repudiated,
the Maine Liquor Law advocates thrust aside
forever, and the Know Nothing organization
entirely crushed OUT