The Portland daily press., 1864-08-24
The Coming Election.

We must be careful not to forget the i'm
portance Of the coming gubernatorial cam
naipn in this state. Maine is one of the most
valuable outerworks ofthe Union forces. The
enemies of the Republic will use every effort
to carry It, andthereby gain strong position
which can be made available at the grand as
sault in November next The old tradition,
"as goes Maine SO goes the Union," is not yet
forgotten, and every good citizen should grid
himself for the conflict and prepare to throw
the weight Of the Pine Tree State into the
scale of Union and Liberty. We must all re-
member that the great war for the Repnblic
is TO be fought at the ballot box as well as on
the battle field. We are fighting side by side
with our brethren in the army. While they
are enduring the trials of war aud facing with
gallant self devotion the deadly missiles oil
the rebel army, we are performing our less
honorable but equally important part III our
peaceful homes. While they resist the military
power by which acknowledged rebels are en-
deayoring to overthrow the government, we,
at home. must take care that the traitorous
crew in our midst do not snatch from under
our feet the ground on which we stand.
The most exciting portion of the contest
will probably take place in this congressional
district. Two years ago, the supineness of
the Union party allowed the election to go by
default. The causes of our defeat need not
now be recapitulated. Suffice it to say that
there was too prevalent an impression that
our majority was safe, without an active
canvass. The result, which at first was only a
surprise, is now source Of shame and humil-
iation to every man who has at heart the
good name of our state. Whether we consid-
er the qualifications Of our representative, or,
contrast his career in Congress with his sup
posed opinions, or observe the advertisement
Of our shame in every published list of votes,
in the House OF Representatives, we blnsh for
our good name and are ashamed to look men
In the face. To look over the list of yeas and
nays and see the words "S,cedt, Maine" print
ed invariably 10 the same column with those
of Ben and Fernando Wood, Cox, Mallory,
Brooks, and all the supporters of slavery.
and advocates of peace and disunion, is a dis
grace which we keenly feel and should resolve
shall never again attach to US. The very
name of those party leaders with whom Mr..
Sweat has associated himself are odous to
us beyond measure. They convey 10 our
mind an idea of dsloyalty, differing, not in
degree, but only In kind, from that of JEFF
Davis and his cabinet, at Richmond. They
are connected with all the party measures
which for the last ten years have tended to
aid the South in her preparation for seces-
sion and her opposition to the constituted au-
thorities when they attempted to restore or
der. 1t has b cen the proud boast Of New
England that her congressional delegations, as
we'll as the rank and ile OF her people, were
loyal TO their country and true to the govern
ment, that neither soldiers for the rebel army,
nor with few exceptions) aiders and abet-
tors to congressional opposition to the war
have been recruited from her midst. That
one Of those exceptions should have come
from Maine and should thus send down to
posterity the first congressional district as re-
creant to the great cause OF the Union in the
hour of direst trial, is as disgraceful to us who
stay at home, as it would be to one OF our reg
iments which should throw down its arms
aad fee from the field Of battle.
The copperheads, resting their hopes, as is
natural on the fact OF victory at the last cleo
ton, viii make special efforts to carry the
first district at the October election. They
know it is their only chance and they mean
to spare no pains to secure it. They are per
fectly satisfied with the pliable and accomod-
ting nature of the candidate and with his ai-
mirable discipline in dressing Into line with
the regularsforces, in never disturbing the reg
ular tactics by eccentric excursions or amateur
forays on his own hook, nor expressing any
opinion contrary to that of the established
leaders Of the party. For every reason there
fore the copperhead party desires the election
Of Mr.. Sweat and will strain eervy narye TO
accomplish it. We must be prepared to meet
them. We must organize in every township
village and ward. We must not omit any ef-
fort or any vigilance. Ler us study the ex-
ample of our opponents and rest not day or
night while anything remains to be done.