Smyrna times., 1855-09-19
The Election in Maine,

The late election in Maine has, by the adroit
ness ~ the enemies of Prohibition. resulted in
The election OF more than two-thirls of the
ticket supported by them. This is unpleasant
news for temperance men everywhere, as it
may have bad influence upon the cause which
they so dearly cherish. Such q result was not
looked for. After trial of nearly ten years,
with the impression continually going out that
1t was become more firmly established, the idea
was that it had become as immovable as anv
law upon the statute book We are unwilling
to believe that the people of Maine want the
law repealed, Notwithstanding the result of the
election would thus Indicate Il must he ron.
sdered that the vote was not abstractlv unon
the temperance question: it was the combina-
ton of the liquor men of all parties (for it must
be recollected that they work to man) thrown
for certain partizaus that obtained the result.
Ii it had been plain issue of rum or no rum
the effect OF that election must have been diff.
iereht' This should serve as an impressive and
lasting lesson to all temperance men, that they
should not give up too soon, thinking their mr.
poses accomplished. One, two, or even half n
dozen successful campaigns, may not secure q
positive victory. We give below, an article
taken from the Boston Telegraph, which.
from It's proximity, can speak more correctly in
regard to the immediate causes:
ain the State of Maine there is no cho;co
OF Governor by the people, Morrill,, REPUBLICAN.
heIng the leading candidate. In the counties
and towns, the Democrats Wings, and the low
ers OF Rum OF all parties, formed their combi-
nations very skilfnlly, and probably chosen =
majority Of both branches. In this case Wells
the Nebraska candidate, will be chosen Cover
nor, Greed being a mere cats paw and tho
Maine Liquor Law will probably be repealrd
We shall regard this as great misfortune. moi
only for Maine, but also for other STATES n
which the reaction may spread.
"The Republicans have fought the battle in
Maine under many disadvantages. In consid.
erlng this election, We must recolect that
Maine. is an old Democratic State, having never
since lS4U, been otherwise until within three
or lour years. The passage of the first Maine
law under their auspices, split them in two
Plrts' and the Liberals" organized by them
selves, running Carey and Chandler for Govor.
noi, Ssa!nSt the regular candidate. This
branch of the party finally succeeded in nh.
tainlng the control, and such men as Anson p
Morrill, were compelled to set up for themselves
an the Republican ranks. While the split con.
tinued, the Whigs had an easy victory for two
years and elected Crosby Governor Then
Morrill, was chosen by union of Whirs and
Republicans. This year the Rum Denorrat. %
obtained the entire control of the party. and ot
the same time secured the aid of some twelve |
to fifteen thousand Wings, a part of whom vo.
ted for Reed, for the sake of keeping 10 annoar.
ances, but in the representative and Senatorial
elections, they have coalesced with the Demo.
crafts
"Personal issues have had Iaroc share in
his contest. The conduct of Mayor Dow in
tn" Portland riot, which had nothing whatever
to do with the Republican party, or even with
the wisdom or follow of the Maine Law. was
adroItly dragged into the canvass, by the friends
OF Wells, and SO were hundred other personal
issues. of which we got trace in looking over
the newspapers. Opposition to secret societies.
the "dark lantern oligarchy," also went great
way.
' But it is of no use to lament. Even If orr
worst ex cectations are realized, our friends in
Maine have the consolation that they have at
asst got their enemies in place where thew
;an find them without beating round the bush ,
after them.