The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-07-14
The Gubsrnatorial Question.


We have heretofore spoken editorially in
reference to the expedency Of selecting a
new candidate for Governor, and have admit.
ted communications on the same subject. Ii
is we'll known that wc have done this from
no hostility to Governor Cony Tor whom we
entertain the most friendly regard, and to
whose well-carncd and widespread popular.
ity We have borne tho most cheerful testi-
mony. And lest in any quarter those
remarks may DO misconstrucd, We will state,
that We have asked of the Governor but for
ono favor, ('' favor" to us, because due to a
bravo soldier in the feld), and that request
was Immediately granted to tho full extent
OF his ability.
The subject Of denomination was taken
m tho OCCASION, and not the cause OF remarks
relative to q reasonable rotation in Office (;
and when notes are compared our contempo-
rary of the Portland Press will find that We
do not differ materially from him. Upon a
historical review of the Gubernatorial nomi-
nations Of the Union Republican party in
this State, We find that the limit to the can
didacy Of ono man seems to have been fixed
at three years, instead of t'co, so far as prece-
dent can determine the question. The party,
as at present organized, came into power in
1856 nv the election Of Hon. Hannibal Ham.
lin over Gov. Wells. Mr.. Hamlin was at
once advanced to the United States Senate,
and Hon. Lot NJ. Morrill, was selected as the
standard bearer Of the party. Mr.. Morrill,
was elected Governor three consecutive years,
and was succeeded by Hon. Israel WASH
burn, who was t,cice elected, and who w0uld
have been unanimously nominated for third
term, had he not percmptorily declined the
honor. Hon. Abner Coburn was then chosen
for single year. and yielded to the demands
and necessities Of, party expediency which
suggested the nomination Of a Union Demo-
crat Of the type represented by Gov. Cony.
BY the precedent, therefore. 50 far rs IL has
been set up. Gov. Cony would seem to be
honorably entitled to third term.
Another circumstance which has lately
come to our knowledge adds to the force OF
this conclusion. During the past winter it
became known that Gov. Cony's personal
desires led him to ask an early retirement
from the Executive Chair, and to ask to be
excused from making third canvass. Forth
with strong pressure. both personal and
political. wa, brought to bear on the Gov
ernor to induce him to reconsider his posi-
ton. At the very urgent solicitation OF
leading gentlemen, inside the Legislature
and outside Of IL, the Governor consented to
warve his personal wishes, and to be the
Union candidate third time. Considering
this circumstance IL might be regarded as
uuhandsome treatment Of the Governor to
insist ON new candidate.
In view OF these facts. while wc still insist
that a reasonable rule Of rotation in Office
must be adopted, IL party permansncy is de-
sirable. wo reconsider our position in regard
to the immediate subject OF this article. and
shall feel bound to advocate tho hearty and
unanimous denomination Of Gov. Cony. lc
is an able, upright and popular Executive,
and his election for third term, under the
circumstances, is perhaps as fully due to him
M any public honor can be due to an indi.
vidual. We presume that his 70 nomination
will be entirely unanimous. and rs his sue
cesor in 1866 "Old York" may present
u candidate who will claim an equally unan-
imous support.