The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-31


The election in Maine, to be held on the 10th
September, for Governor and members Of
Congress, may be regarded as of very great
Importance, from its bearing on the Presidential
election. II will be the first since the elections
in the South which will have any political signi-
foance. The election in Vermont Oh the 4th
September will not amount to much, for in that
State the elections have always gone so deci-
dedly one way that there is no probability of
change now Even Ia 1852 il gave Scott
22,l73, against 1904 for Pierce; and in 1859 it
gave 1885, for the republican candidate for
Governor, against l44se for the democratic.
The case of the Maine election is different 1t
will test the strength of the republican senti-
nent, and foreshadow the result of the sub
sequent Presidential struggle in November.
Maine has in late years gone republican; but
recent events may have produced reaction
whose evidence will be revealed in the coming
State election.
In the olden time Maine went democratic !;
az, for example In lS48, when the returns Of
the Presidential election were as follows
Case $50
van BIen. IL VSo
In 1852 the Presidential election was fought
on the basis Of the Compromise measures of
1850, and the Union sentiment prevailed The
result was
PIERCE. Al ,609
o4o
dae''.'.''. e,oSo
This was not personal triumph for Pierce,
for Scott was far more popular man, nor yet
Il triumph Of democracy, for there was no de-
mocratic issue but victory over the disunion
agitation which sought to disturb the settlement
of 1850 agreed to by the leading statesmen of
both the wing and democratic parties in Con-
gress, including Clay, Webster and Calhoun.
Maine, for its patriotic action at that time, in
contradistinction to Vermont and Massachusetts,
was greeted as "the star in the East" But by
the corruption and Encouragement Of the re-
publican leaders ever since 1854, the State has
gone republican. In the election for Governor
that year the numbers were:-
Republican. 81 90.
Democrat - $50
WIZ, 20,
Anti-Lquor law.......... 34z4
In 1856 the result of the State election for
Governor was as follows
Repuohosn' 500
Itnocfat AZ 65S
The difference was greater in the case of the
Presidential candidates in the same year.
Fremont. ITO
buchsnan og 080
Fillmore OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. $685.
Mr.. Fremont, however, was not regarded as
sectional candidate, but as Q conservative
Southern man, In whom was embodied the CD.
position Of the whole country against the de-
mocracy The republican party which had not
then developed itself, and was supported by
thousands on probation, Us an element of oppo-
sition to the corrupt party in power, gave its
nomination to Fremont, and he accepted 1t,
republicanism then protesting to be conserva-
tive, and opposed to abolition. The result in
Maine was, therefore, far more favorable to him
than to the candidate for Governor, the dioe.
renee being 1878? votes. Owing to the con-
tinued Generalization and corruption of the de-
mocratic party, and the factous conduct of its
leaders in Congress, the republican sentiment
still prevailed in Maine last year, when the
result of the election for Governor was as fol-
lows
Republican. c61
Democrat.
Since that election the republican party has
more fully developed its designs, and the John
Brown raid has opened the eyes of thousands
Of conservative men at the North to the danger
Gus and revolutionary nature of the organiza-
ton, as avowed by its leaders in their speeches
and in Helpers Impending Crisis of the
South which they have all endorsed, from the
Senator'S and representatives in Congress down
ward. What effect this handbook of treason
ard John Browns overt act at Harpers Ferry
may have produced on the conservative portion
of the republican party in Maine remains to be
seen. The ensuing election will tell the whole
story. If the people Of that State should reject
the republican candidate for Governor-and 1t
requires only change OF ak thousand votes
the act will speak volumes, and the effect pro-
duced over the whole North will be tremen-
dous. Ii would be q declaration, not in
favor Of democracy, for that organization is shat
tered to pieces, but for the Union sentiment,
which Is the real sentiment of the country.
And the republican journals and leaders are
afraid Of this result in Maine. While they are
making great noise in this State over local mat
tiers, and talking about Duer, and Brooks, aud
Hunt, they are sending money and agents to
Maine to secure the election there, of whose
significance they are fully aware, as an index
TO the existing sentiment Of the North. The
result Of the contest, therefore, on the 10th of
the next month. will be looked forward to with
the deepest interest by statesmen and poll
ticians of all parties, and by tie people Of
every section Of the country.
The WEALTH on THE CovSTRY.--The couu.
try at the present time affords q prospect Of
unexampled prosperity which may well excite
the envy Of other nations The first Grand