Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-09-08
To the Union Voters Of Han
cock County

delegates to the late County Convention. Il
large number of Union men from many oi
the towns i'll the County, voluntarily as
semblcd in Ellsworth. on the I2th inst. tn
consult upon the state OF the Party. and
the present aspect of County politics. The
result Of this conference was Il resolution
In withhold support from the candidate for
the office Of Clerk of the Courts, noulina-
ted on the I'd of August
| In adopting 4 course so unusual. it WAS
thought proper that the causes aud reasons
should be full. and frankly declared, and
the undersigned were appointed commit
tee to present them for the consideration
of a candid public.
We premise that all political parties are
simply voluntary organizations for the
wider diffusion of political knowledge, aud
for the purpose Of securing the adoption Of
their peculiar principles hy the State or
Nation. Such parties are not formed for
the elevation OF particular men to the
clnoluncnts of public office. Yet where Il
party has loag been in power, there will
invariably be developed number of poll
ticians, VINO assume to lead and who will
sometimes by long experience and arttul
combination succeed i'll controlling the
nominations even against the general sen
timcnt of the party. The great body OF
the party will often support unpopular
nominations in order to uphold the great
PRINCIPLES Of the party. However, when
these sclf-constitutcd leaders assume tc
control crything for selfish ends without
regard for the good of the party or til,
people. then it becomes the privilege ant
duty of members to oppose them.
In this County the managing politicians
of the dominant party. now called tn,
Union Party, have for years assumed t,
regulate all political affairs for the County
no, only as to county politics, bnt in Stat,
and National matters. They have en-
dcavorcd to draw all political influence t,
themselves and thus make themselves til,
fountain of all political prefcrmcnt il
every direction. They have aspired to ac
independently af the people and to inau
gurate the reign of an ALBANY Regency
over the Union voters of the County
They have in many cases insolently threat
ened with punishment all who honestl
oppose them. This conduct on the par
OF these politicians has brought forth it
natural fruits. Strong opposition has 70
sometime been manifested in many quar-
tiers. This opposition has been constant,
increasing in numbers and vigor, and ha
been constantly protesting against the as
sumptioas of the faction in office. Thes
circumstances have been dsregarded. an,
men we'll known to be obnoxious to man
+ earnest patriotic members of the Cnioi
Organization. have been continued il
places of trust and profit.
Without specifying the causes, the op
position to the present Clerk of the Court
in particular has been extensive and un
compromising. Yet in the face of tlli
known opposition the present incumbcn
after holding the office for fifteen years
came forward and demanded another cy
tension of his lease. Aware of the wide
spread dissatisfaction with his conduct il
and out of office, he and his associates pre-
pared to employ all means to effect hi
! re- nomination.
The two younger memb rs of tn
County Committee without the courtesy q
consulting the oldest man of it called tn
Convention to meet Aug. 2d,-mueh ear
; lier than usual.-and more than Meel
before the State Convention. a course en-
tircly unprecedented, it being always con
sidered that the State Convention is tn
proper opening of political campaign.-
, The time was so arranged that the can
cuscs were necessarily held in the midst o
the having season. when only the Office
holders, and politicians and their persona
adhercnts could afford to attend the pri
mary meetings.
The basis of representation was reduce,
to render it easier for them to influence in
diyidual delegates, Immediately ever,
appliance was resorted to, to get control u
the convention. Most of the officials
county and federal, devoted themselves t.
the labor of retaining in office the old in
cumbents. Outside aid was invited, an,
sundrv state officials belonging in othc
counties used their influence with more o
less effect.
. Herculean labors were put forth to at
tain their object. Considerations, prom
ises. and threats were used in profusion.
But in spite of their immense adsan
/ tage in the way of money, patronage, Off
. cial position and better organization. TIN
conventions as elected, was in oppositio,
to the present incumbents. At the organi
cation of the Convention, a younge
member of the County Committee, ignor
ing the oldest member, who had fairly an,
properly called the contention to orde
called a disciple of his own to preside, wh,
assumed the chair without awaiting til,
approval of the convention. The Com
tt.Is al, j Il.