Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-06-27
Maine Delegation.


Maine Delegation,
We publish an article on the Maine Dele
: alton from the Oxford Democrat. We, OF
course, know nothing of that " central in
lluence, which, it says, las doomed all the
old members of the delegation. If such a
jjunto exists, it had better be dcposcd, but We
have come to think that ambitious and de-
signing men plot more mischief Of this char
acter during the session of the legislature,
than is planned at any other time, or by any
other DO y of men. The principal reason
however, why We print the article, is because
its statements in regard to the value OF old
members, above that OF new ones, are 50 just
and true. and accord so nearly with what We
have expressed in the american. An old
member OF the Legislature with the same
ability as a new one, has twice the influence
that new one has. and accomplisbes twice
as much for lis constituents for the time be
ing. Two years since, Mr.. Burlingame, at,
ter his defeat, said:
:. 1t is the bane Of our politics that when
we have sent man 10 Nashinst6 n-whcn
he has instructed himself in his duties
when he has become able to Do us Il little
service, then through some caprice, some
whlH, me fear, craven fear, on the part Of
some men, hc is changed, and another man j..
untried. is sent to take his place. That, in
the past. has been great calamity n the
people Of tile North. Aud now, since | am
Tree to speak without giving the impression
that AIN speaking for myself, | shall. on all
proper occasions, speak to this point with all
the power ! may. For | have seen, in my
own little hist0ry-it is not a long one-that
we have lost more from the inrxperience of
our men at Washington than we have even
from the numbers Of our opponents.
To this we appended the following views
OF our own, views perhaps not very popular
AT this time
The above extract from Mr.. Burlingame 5
speech at Music Hall, Boston, just after the
election and his defeat, contains matter for
serious consideration; and this seems Just
the time, for discussion Of the practice
which has prevailed at the North for the past
to a considerable extent. and which is rapid
" gaining in public favor. This rule of ac-
ton, or policy Of political organizations, is
not confined to any one Of the present par
ties North, but 1t is the policy OF ALL as it is
the bane Of the country. As Mr. Burln-
game tcrscly says. " we lose more from the
inexperience Of our men, than from the num-
bers of our opponents. This is but assert
ing truth which is becoming patent to all
observing men, and which must eventually
work change IN the policy which is now
popular.
Our Congressman being now all elected
and being free from the turmoil and ieverish
excitement preceding an election, we propose
to state our views upon the matter Of County
lines and county or local rights, in Congress.
I0naI nominations, when "a District is COM
posed OF more than one County We have
never listened for moment to the popular
notion that we must change our Congress
men once every two or four years, merely be-
cause by the law Of " turns" the nomina.
ton belongs 10 some ether locality This
policy is suicidal one, opposed alike to the
best interest Of party and of the country.
\ Congressional District is political diyis-
Ion OF the country, made SO by the laws of
the land and should not be cut up into sub
divisions without stronger reasons than be.
cause 1t will be for the interest of this or
that man. The District is entitled to the
services of the man who is best qualified for
tie position, no matter where he lives and
also just as long as he can and ,rH accom-
pllsh more for the benefit of the people of
his District and Country than any other man
The people OF the whole district have rights
which must not be sacrificed to the arbitrary
and selfish rule of L" turns" And we never
could see what particular public advantage
there is to particular localities in having the
Representative. He cannot labor to secure
any advantage to portion of his District,
at the expense, or by neglecting the best in
terests of the whole District He must act
for his District as an entirety-a whole, il.
noring arbitrary distinctions of localities -
All the advantage County or locality can
or should obtain in receiving nomination,
Is that it may administer to its local pride !;
but substantial good to the party and Coun-
try should not, we hold, be sacrificed to such
an eyancseent shadow.