The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-16
The Next Gubernatorial Nomination

We have given place to-day to a commune
the question suggested by the caption to this
article We have not deemed it our province
to labor to forestall public sentiment in this
matter, for it is the duty of the party journals
to sustain the nominations rather than attempt
to control them. and this we propose to do,
and to do so in good faith and with no half
way purposes, promising of course, that such
n ominations are fairly and honorably made.
In the caucuses for the choice of delegates, it
is proper for personal preferences to have their
full influence, and each man may well vote for
those who will in convention support the man
of his choice. In a State convention made up
of delegates thus chosen, will be found the
truest reflection Of public sentiment, and if
left free to express its will in the nomination,
the people Of Maine will have presented for
their suffrages for Governor man around
whom all should be willing to rally for the
common good. OF course all personal prefer
ences cannot be gratifled in the nomination,
nor should it be expected. But the majority
sentiment will be ascertaned, and that done,
without hesitation, without wncing, without
word of complaint, all loyal men should 60 to
work, and work increasingly, by all fair and
honorable means, until the election is secured.
We shall not allow ourself to indulge in
single fear that suitable man will not be pro-
posed for Gubernatorial honors. Should Gov.
CoBURN he nominated for reelection, i'm pur-
suance Of established party usage, we shall
labor for his election without lingering mis-
giving-without a lingering doubt of his tri-
umphant success. We shall proudly point to
his life and official acts. We shall dare chal-
lenge contumely, or party luminosity, or per-
sonal spite, to point out a single act of his
official or private life inconsistent with the
character awarded him-alike by friends and
foes-of AN HONEST MAN.
But though usage points to Gov. Coburn
for denomination, the fact that nominating
conventions are held annually affords proof
quite sufficient that neither he nor any other
man, has claim for nomination against what
may be deemed by the convention the best
good of the state. The Convention will be as
ASC W sSlSSt laI lCct uiau loi tiiC kiaSS, aAi
things considered, as it would be should Gov.
Coburn decline, provided it pursues a high
minded course, and acts only to subserve pat
riotic purposes.
Entertaining such views, we shall feel at
perfect liberty to support the nominee of the
convention, be he Republican or be he Demo-
crat. provided he is a man whose loyalty is I'M
impeachable, and who stands ready to pledge
his whole heart and his unwavering efforts in
support of such measures as the Government
may from time to time find itself called upon
to adopt to crush out this internal rebellion.
If the nomination should fall upon any of the
distinguished gentlemen whose names were
used in the convention last year, or should it
fall upon any other high-minded, honorable,
honest loyal man, he will find in the PRESS
scents the flesh-pots OF official favor in the
distance, but the support Of one who, neither
seeking nor desiring favor, will labor to secure
the election Of such man as shall reflect hon.
or upon the State.
But while we say all this, we emphatically
ignore the idea that, for purposes of union
with those who think with us but who have
heretofore preferred to act separately, we
should put the knife to old tried friends, and
throw overheard all those faithful navigators
who, during the storms of the past, have sue
cessfully kept the ship of State alike from the
breakers aud from the freebooters who infest
the political ocean. We know it has become
favorite idea with some people that, TO Sc
cure united action, to get up a strong party,
and to present an unbroken front to the com
mon enemy, all the old, tired, faithful and
never-tiring friends of Republicanism should
stand aside; that no man who has been identi-
fled with the party as a real effective worker,
should be allowed any prominence.
Now we don't believe in any such policy. If
men stand outside the Republican ranks, and
refuse to work with you unless you will first
cruelty your best men, we don't hesitate to
doubt their loyalty. II they can be kept from
association with Copperheads only by injus-
tice to men of undoubted loyalty, then the
sooner they go over to the enemy the sooner
will the friends OF the country know how
A"' 81 40 eaiS opPooieioh "hiNh thC9 nav Sot W
overcome. Purchased loyaly is no better
than free treason. 1t is an insult to any truly
loyal man to intimate that he demands any act,
for purposes Of union, that will lessen the
strength or the effectiveness of the loyal men
of the State. Those who have been efficient
workers for good heretofore are needed to work
now. We don't believe in going to sea with
only inexperienced and green hands; with
those only who have never made themselves
practically acquainted with seamanship. To
make an army effective we would never thrust
out of 1t the men in whose faces gnnpowder had
been exploded, and retain for effective service
only thase who could show a record clear o.
smoke, blood and the dust of battle.
determined foe is to be fought. All the
loyal forces of the State should combine to
meet that foe. The "old guard" should be OIL
hand. Old men and young men, those who
have been in the conflicts of political strife anc
those whose lives have been free from the tur
moil and din of such warfare; ali are required
to be OH duty. Let them all unite in council
and to their united decision no loyal man will
compromise himself in pledging acquiescence
but we would never consent AS a condition pre