The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-07-04
UNION NOMINATION.
FOR GOVERNOR,
SAMUEL CON Y.
Hon. Samuel Cony.

The gentleman whose name we have placed
at the head of this brief article, is now before
the loyal people OF Maine as a candidate for
the highest office in their gift. Few men in
the State have prouder record than Judge
Cony; none have a record freer from tergi-
versations or reproach. While the re is no fear
that any intelligent opponent will ask deri-
sively, "Who is Samuel Conys" few words
touching his personal history may not be out
of place and will be read with interest.
Mr.. Cony has been politically of the Dem
ocratic school, and comes of good stock, be-
ing grandson of the late Judge Daniel Cony,
and son OF the late Gen. Samuel Cony, first
Adutant General of the State, under Gov.
King. He is a man of fine personal appear
ance, familiar and approachable in his man
ners, with great good nature beaming in his
countenance, and decision and firmness indi-
Gated in every lineament of his face. He is
fifty-two years of age, is a graduate of Brown
University, commenced reading law in the office
of the late Hon. Hiram Belcher and closed his
legal studies in the office of the late Hon. Reuel
Williams, after which he settled in Oldtown
where he commenced his career as lawyer.
His sterling good Judgement strict. Integrity,
and thorough business habits commended him
to the Governor, and he was appointed Judge
of Probate for Penobscot county, which Office
he held for seven years. He was subse-
quently appointed Land Agent for the State,
which Office he filled for several years, and un-
til elected State Treasurer.
1t is fact alike remarkable in the history
of our State and creditabe to Mr.. Cony, that
five consecutive legislatures elected him to
the Office of Treasurer, thus giving him the
longest period of service in that department
allowed by the Constitution. In consequence
Of the demand make upon his time by official
duties, he removed his family from Oldtown
to Augusta, where he has since resided.
He has been Mayor of Augusta, and last
winter ably represented that city in the legis-
lature, having been elected by the Union men
Of the place as Union Democrat in opposi-
tion to the regular nomination of the Demo-
cratic party. Those familiar with the pro-
ceedings of that legislature know that Mr.
Cony heartily and cordially affiliated with
other Union men; that he voted for the Ma
tional Resolves which passed both branches in
the face of determined resistance from the
"Peace Democracy" and cordially supported
Mr.. Morrill, for the U. S. Senatorship.
We have said that Judge Cony is of demo-
cratic antecedents. We should say, that up
TO the present time he has acted in fidelity TO
his democratic convictions. He dissented
from the administration of Franklin Pierce on
the Kansas-Nebraska policyi and broke with
the Buchanan administration on the Lecomp-
ton question, and became a warm friend of
Judge Douglas to whose nomination for the
Presidency he gave whole-souled support.
When in August, 1861, the Democratic con-
vention at Augusta virtually denounced the
war, and nominated Mr.. Dana on an anti-war
Platform, Judge Cony was among the first to
revolt and to join in the loyal movement for
Gen. Jameson. He gave to Jameson's nomi-
nation an earnest support, and last year,
though he voted the republican ticket for sem
ators and county officers-there being no 10y
al democratic ticket in the ield-he supported
the nomination Of Gen. jameson for Cover
nor. At the last municipal election in Angus
ia he voted for the Union nominee for Mayor,
w. T. johnson, Esq, though his own brother
was in the field as the regular Democratic
candidate.
Such is SAMUEL CoSY politically. His
loyalty has never been doubted. His heart
never beat but in response to patriotic inspi.
ration. He has from the first been uncondi-
tional and persistent in his support of all the
measures Of the administration put forth to
crush out this infamous rebellion, demanding
only that such measures should be pressed
with more vigor. In this regard he is above
suspicion.
As a business man Judge Cony has few su-
periors. On the decease of the late Thos. w.
Smith-next to Reuel Williams the richest
man in Augusta-Mr. Cony was elected to fill
his place as President of Augusta Bank, one
OF the Oldest institutions of the kind in the
State,-a position which he has held to the
present time. He is not rich man, though
he is, we are happy to say, independent and
comfortably above board in his financial cir.
cumstances. He is man of unimpeachablc
integrity; hosptable, liberal and even gener-
Gus; in full sympathy with the popular heart;
man correct in all his habits; regular
church-goer though not man of professions,
and one who has never failed to make friends
wherever he has become known, while no man
has ever charged him with malleasance in
ONCE, with inhdelity to friends, or with lack
Of integrity in business transactions. The
tongue Of calumny has never yet assailed
him.
Such is SAMUEL CoNY, of Augusta, the man
presented as the Union Candidate for Cover
nor of Maine. His name is tower Of strength,
and the loyal democrats of the State who will
rally around the flag borne aloft by him, will
be numbered by hundreds and thousands.