The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-01
MAINE ELECTION.
From the Kennebec Journal. sep,ember 18

From the Kennebec Journal September H.
The result Of the election, last Monday, is
most cheering to all who have desired for years
to establish political justice in this State, and
permanently secure the ascendency of sound
national principles. This is the first real test
of the vitality and strength of the friends OF
Freedom in Maine, as a consolidated party,
since the Pro-Slavery factions of the Democrat.
ic and Wing parties formed new political or
ganization on platform which sprung from tn.
fertile brain of John G. Calhoun, and firmly al
lied themselves with the freeaters and disun-
ionists of the South. Never, since Maine be-
came State, has there been a party within its
limits so strong in numbers, unity of principles
and purpose, and possessing so completely the
proper elements of political power and useful
ness, as the Republican party, which in quiet
and unexcited canvass has swept so smoothly
nearly every town and county of the State.
Our opponents have claimed that the result of
last years contest was no test of the Republi-
can strength of the State. They have thought
that when Bogus Democracy and Fillmore
Whiggery had become firmly compacted and
welded into one party, they should be nearly
as strong as the Republicans. They have now
had fair opportunity to be undeceived, and
to learn that they are doomed to be an abect
and hopeless minority, so long as they stand
on the ultra Pro Slavery platform which their
Southern masters have manufactured for them,
and bid them defend. Republican ascendency
in Maine is secured for years, and, in an excited
and hard-fought contest, the majority Of last
Monday could be easily raised to more than
Tbara %
fact indicated by the returns, to which we call
special attention, as it we'll illustrates the
strength of the Republicans, and shows what
they can do when the occasion calls In the
towns where there was anything like real and
evenly. balanced contest, the Republicans made
gain on last year.
The chief losses of the Republicans are in the
counties and towns, where their strength is
nearly double that Of their opponents, where
no necessity or fear Of defeat operated to bring
out full Republican vote. Kennebec, Pc
noAseot, Waldo, Hancock, Androscoggin, and
Sagkdahoc, could have given a majority of G, 900
more than they have DONE if there had been
any pressing need or stimulating danger.
Taken as a whole, the result of this election
is in every respect most cheering and signif-
cant. 1t will have an encouraging influence
on the Republicans of other States 1t pro-
claims in thunder tones to the land, that Maine
stands as the Gibraltar of Liberty and the
Union, against their common enemies in Wash
ington, South Carolina, or wherever they may
be found. 1t bids the friends of Freedom in
Massachusetts march shoulder to shoulder
against their mongrel foes, and elect BANKS by
arousing majority. 1t tells the Republicans Of
the Empire State to lay aside all minor issues,
and hold fast to their former renown. 1t in.
spires the treemen of Ohio to march forward
to victory under the lead of the able and patri
otto CHASE, and cheers and nerves the true
men of Pennsylvania to carry the gallant and
noble WnMoT gOriously through the contest
in which he is now engaged with the myrmi.
dons of Slavery. To the Republicans and
friends Of Free Labor throughout the Union,
Maine, Missouri, and Vermont, send ALL HALL