The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-09-02
Mr.. Sweat or Mr.. Lynch

day INDUCED in leader of a column and a
half, in spirit of unusual candor for that pa
per- The object of the article was to satisfy its
readers that the interests of the First District
will be safer and better cared for by the re-
election of Mr.. Sweat than by the election of
Mr.. Lynch. Whatever views the readers of
the Argus may take of the matter, it is very
doubtful, to say the least, If the people Of the
District will see it in that light.
The Argus, true to the aristocratic instincts
OF its party since its Generalization by be-
)ming the protege OF southern Shareholders,
10 effect sneers at Mr.. Lynch for his humble
origin, and for not being Observation-Disclosures
above all those engaged in kindred pursuits,
while 1t extols Mr.. Sweat without stint. This
is according to the genius of Democracy as
held by the Democratic party of 1864.
Now we are perfectly willing to submit the
question to the people OF Portland, or the peo-
pie of the District, TO decide which of the two
fession or calling. Which has attained the
most eminence, as compared with those in the
same line OF pursuit? Mr.. Sweat has had
the advantages OF what is called liberal ed
ucation, and is connected with wealthy fami-
lies, and yet as a lawyer he never became
more than third-rate, and is never rated above
that grade in the Cumberland Bar, of which
he is member; while in politics, which has
been special field for his ambition, he never
became more than an ordinary caucus speaker
fill annidanf-Anlv nm th,a. -,
to Congress.
Mr.. Lynch has given his attention to mer-
camille pursuits, and though poor boy, with
out wealth or family aid to give him lift, by
dnt of his own indomitable energy, incorrupt-
ibe honesty and business tact, has become
one of the first merchants of this city, with
few men better versed in anything relating to
the details of commercial business, and as "a
man Of general Information upon all practical
topics, or even upon questions of civil policy
or political economy, he is far, very far before
his Hon. competitor. Mr.. Lynchs lie has
been wonderfully successful. 1t affords fine
illustration of the workings of our free instt.
tutions. Few men have shown more talents
in the field which he has chosen for SPECIAL
cultivation.
The Argus refers to Mr.. Sweat's speech up
on the reciprocity treaty, to show his thorough
mastery Of the subject. On this point we in
wife moments special attention. The ques-
ton Of the reciprocity tsvaty WAS before our
Legislature. The Governor in his nvssagc-
had suggested work for the legislature in this
matter Mr. Lynch went before the commit
tee having the matter in charge, succeeded in
getting their report modified, and then in the
House, by his clear exposition OF the question,
got o resolution of his own drafting passed
with wonderful unanimity, when the whole
feeling of the House, before his effort was
made, seemed in favor Of contrary express
sion. In fact, the resolve of Mr.. Lynch was
regarded by many as a reversal Of the decision
OF the House of two years previous.
Now for the fact; it was this rer'y resolu-
ton OF Mr.. Lynch, and the argument by
which he enforced it, that afforded Mr.. Sweat
the material for the speech to which the Argus
refers. Mr.. Sweat read the resolution, referred
/ TO the unanimity with which it passed, said it
was later expression of the legislature than
| that which had been quoted in opposition 10
the treaty. Such is the history of this mat
ter. Mr. Sweat took his cue from Mr.. Lynch
aud used his resolution and his arguments
out of which TO spin the warp and wool OF
his own speech.
The Argus refers TO Mr.. Sweats speech in
! favor of the Northern Pacific Railroad. We
have no disposition TO disparage that effort
1t was no more, however, than any northern
man, especially man having the interests Of
his own State at heart, would be expected to
do; no more than Mr.. Lynch would have
done, and from his large practical experience
tits safe to assert that he would have done II
with even more credit to his ability than did
Mr.. Sweat.
/ But there was another Railroad speech Of
Mr.. Sweat, which the Argus has passed In
silence. Why this neglect of the Camden
and 4mboy road? Perhaps it was a mere
accidental omission Of the Argus that Mr.
Sweat's distinguished efforts 10 behalf of this
gigantic corporation were ignored. We cal
the Argus special attention to this omission
ask It TO explain Mr.. Sweat's action; TO har
monize it with democratic regard for the pub
lie good; to show how his constituents were
laid under obligations to him by that effort
II the Argus neglects this matter we shall be
obliged to attend 10 it.