The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-09-05
MIR. LvreI,,. Congressional Record.

Two wears ago the Republicans Of this dis
trict gave John Lynch a clear majority of q
500 votes over the opposing candidate. The
Democrats of Maine have not profited by the
lesson. Mr.. Sweat is again a candidate for
the place from which he was contemptuously
dismissed, while his record was still fresh. We
have lately reviewed that record and recalled
to memory the odious mis- representation
which proved so distasteful to the voters of
this district. 1t is clear that we don't want
MIR. Sweat in Congress at this critical mo-
ment.
On the other hand, the Republicans present
candidate no longer untried but proved anu
found to justify all the expectations Oh his
warmest friends 1t is very rarely that new
member succeeds in acquiring in single ses-
sion so much of influence and consideration
as Mr.. Lynch has attracted simply and solely
nv his native force of character and capacity
for business Mr.. Lynch went to Washington,
it must be remembered, with no national rep
utation. In the State he had been known as
an Influential member of the legislature, and
still more widely as a business man of unusual
ability and unquestioned probity. To the
gifts by which men most easily reach the pub
lie ear, he made no claim. He was known
neither as an orator, nor as writer. Yet by
the exercise of sound common sense, backed
by suitable faculty of speech and by res
olute will he has secured position during his
first session, which many men with greater
apparent advantages fail to win.
The truth is we do not need orators or es-
sayists in Congress. The Congress Of the
United States is not a popular assembly but
adeliberatlve body composed of the elect of
every community. 1t is an objectionable as
sumption for any man less than Webster to
undertake to control and sway that assembly
as he would try TO move the audience in a
country yschool-house.. The Congress is de-
Lucrative body; and the only speaking talent
which can really influence it is the debater's
skilful cut and thrust. Of his power as de-
batter Mr.. Lynch had given some proofs here
at home He has added to his reputation in
always cool, he has shown that he knows when
and how to speak, and what is perhaps rarer
yet, when to keep silent.
The consequence is that whenever he does
speak, Mr.. Lynch commands attention and in
almost every instance has carried the House
with him, His only elaborate speech during
the session was made in opposition to the
loan bill recommended by Secretary McCul-
loch, and the bill was defeated at the time,
though subsequently revived and passed with
important amendments. Mr.. Lynchs propo-
sition, forbiddng vessels registered as foreign
during the rebellion to be received again IN
der the American flag, was supported by
briet but exhaustive speech, and passed by a
large majority. A simple sentence goes to the
core Of the whole matter. cit is a cowardly
argument" Mr.. Lynch said, "to say that the
country ought to protect these ship owners
1t is for the people to protect the country in
time of war;" His various propositions to
amend the tax bill, were characterized bv his
usual good sense and presented with his u.s.
ual clear brevity. The proposition to allow a
drawback of the cotton tax to the small farm
ers of the South, so as to build up an inauen-
tial middle class without which Southern So
ciety will continue to be a nursery of aristo-
cratic prejudices, was suggestion due entire
ly to Mr. Lynch and evincing degree and
kind of forecast which may fairly be called
craftsmanship
But we cannot pause upon particular meas
ures The general charact eristics of Mr..
Lynch's Congressional career are all summed
up in one word-Fidellty fidelity to his
constituents, and to his country. Mr.. Lynch
went to Washington as the agent of the peo-
pie OF his district, a man of the people himself
and familiar with the wants and feelings of
all classes. He went there to look after their
interests, and he has faithfully done his work.
They have always found him easy of access,
either personally or by letter. Not to speak
OF private claims and appointments which he
has secured, We may properly refer to his in
fluence in securing appropriations for the pur-
chase OF Seaveys island at Kittery, for the Sa-
co river improvements, and for the new Gus
tom house here. After the fire in July Mr..
Lynch came directly home, saw with his own
SJSS " As~c was HCCOCu, lCkAuc W w ASH
ton and procured the passage of the act allow
ing drawback of all duties on merchandise
from abroad for the relief and material for the
of Portland. The provisions of
that act have been of far more real advantage
20 us than would have been the generous
bounty propo-ed by Senator johnson.
What recommends Mr. Lynch more than
all things else however, is his consistent sup
port Of the principles of free government to
which his constituents are unalterably attach
ed. The contrast between Mr.. Sweat advo-
eating in Congress the Camden and Amboy
and Mr.. Lynch advocating the rea-
sonable claims of the people who sent him
there, is no greater than The contrast between
Mr.. Sweat acting uniformly with Fernando
Wood, Cox, and Voorhees,, and James Brooks,
and Mr.. Lynch acting with Schenck, and
Stevens, and Washbrrne. The people of
Maine know on which side these men have
been found since 1861.
Mr.. Lynch has never lodged, has never CO
luetted with the enemy during the prelimin-
ary skirmishing. His vote has always been
on the ri hit side at every division.
A thoroughly trustworthy, honest man
there was no shadow of doubt about his posi-
ton on national questions. He voted for the
Civil Rights bill, for the Freedmen's Bureau
bill, against the bill for the admission of Colo
RADIO, for submitting to the people the Consti-
tutionalamendment now pending, and against
the scandalous proposition to increase the sal
aries ct members of the present Congress.
What better record than this could any man
desire? Which of these votes would the
Republicans of this district wish to see chang
ed? Our old enemies are using every means
in their power to defeat the man who has rep
resented us SO faithfully. Let us give him
vote which will show them how much they
overrate the influence of their corruption
fund. If we do our duty during the next
live days, and bring every man who honestly