The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-09-09
The Dis.rio. Election.

Journal relating to our District Election.
Our people will see the estimation in which
our Congressional candidates are held by
those outside of the State, while they will
see words to cause them to appreciate the
Importance of retiring to private life the
men who now misrcpresent them, and elect
Ing man who is loyal to his country.
"The Union men OF the Maine First Dis
trict have well begun the work which, we
are well persuaded, they will have the honor
Of completing. They have nominated John
Lynch, Esq, ono OF the most public spirited
merchants OF Portland, man thoroughly
conversant with the business interests of the
country, good debator, and devoted heart
and soul to the upholdins Of the loyal cause.
His opponent, Mr.. Sweat, the present in.
cumbent, is a man of fair ability, and he
did run we'll for season as u war Demo-
crat, in which capacity he received tho sup
port of Union men. But since no has been
in public life he has attempted to play the
dangerous part of politician Democratic
enough to secure the solid vote of that party,
and yet war man enough to coax some aid
from Administration men. Mr.. Sweat will
find that he has been too ambitious, and if
he gets the full vote of the Democratic mi.
nority of his district, he may think himself
we'll off.
His Congressional record will show that
wherever the interests OF slavery were con-
cerncd-and that is as good u test as any
ho always gave the vote that would be most
pleasing to jeff. Davis. Thus he voted
against negro soldiers, thereby signiiying his
desire to make the draft heavier among his
white constituents. He voted against the
amendment of the Constitution to abolish
slavery, being willing to keep the cause Of
the present rebellion alive for future mis-
chief, and unwilling to let the people decide
this great question for themselves. Mr..
Sweat disclaims being peace man, but he
plays about the hook in such company as
Fernando Wood and Alexander Long. Mr..
Rogers of New Jersey offered resolution,
recommending, among other things, the ap-
pointment OF commissioners to go down and
meet with rebel commissioners to try to ne
gociate peace-as if something more were
wanted than that the rebels, who have broken
all the laws, should lay down their arms and
return to obedience. Whas was in the pro.
ject precisely, nobody knows, but it is enough
that such men as Cox, Long, Wood and
Others of that stamp-including Mr.. Sweat
gave it their support. In short, it will be
found that, except upon the most barcfaccd
peace propositions, which go shrcwd poll,
tician from so doubtful district would
never commit himself to, Mr.. Sweat steadily
acted with those men who have done the
most to cmbarrass the prosecution of the
war, to prOlOng it. to increase tho sum of its
miseries, and to swell the heavy burdens OF
the people.
Under these circumstances, we count upon
the First Districts retiring hun to private
life. He was elected two years ago by only
l2I majority. Last year the district gave
about 1000 Union majority. Whether it can
do as well this year, we do not know; but
its Union voters owe il to themselves to spare
no effort, between now and the day Of elcc-
ton, to give Mr.. Lynch rousing majority,
and thus restore unity in the Maine delcga.
tion, and do their share toward securing 1t
in the loyal delegation from New England