The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-09-11
Notes ON tho Canvass.

lie mind since the detection of the President
became fully apparent, were referred yester-
day to the only competent authority for set
tlement. All these matters rest finally with
the people If they are not satisfied with the
management of their servants in Congress.
they dismiss them. II they are not satisfied
with the conduct of their servant, the Presi-
dent, they need not re-elect him. In this
State, as In Vermont, they have already re-
corded their verdict. The result will be found
ON another page, among our latest dispatches.
1t is suitable time now, to consider some
OF the characteristics of the canvass which
mas just closed. We have seen party which
i've years ago went to pieces on the question
" state rights, gradually absorbing into the
oopperhead wing part Of the 10000 votes
which in 1851 we're cast for Jameson. Very
many of those votes were cast yesterday for
Chamberlain, but it is nevertheless true that
many have gone back to the Copperheads.-
There could be but two parties during the
war. No man could be both for and against
the country The Democratic party In this
State closed up Its ranks and voted solidly and
obstinately against the country at every cleo
ton.
But by taking this course they sunk into a
hopeless minority nsolidated, determin-
ed minority, no doubt, but without the slight
est hope Of recovering any influence in the
State. Men who were carried so far by their
political theories and prejudiees az to insist
that the people of this country could not le-
galy take up arms in defence of their own
government, and to express the hope, as some
OF them did, that their own sons who
were bearing arms in the country's service
would be shot-men so blind and willful az
these could hardly attain any general infu-
ence In community of reading and thinking
people. There was no element OF growth in
their political creed. There was no element
OF cohesion even, except the sullen fanaticism
which thrives upon general obloquy.
1t might have been supposed that after an
experience of four years, the dullest politi-
Clans would have learned something. 1t
might have been supposed that hero in Maine
at ieast it would be clear to the dullest per-
ception that some change of programme was
necessary. Such politicians as Dean Rich
mond, Thurlow Weed, and even Vallandic-
ham and Train, saw and admitted that in ns-
tional politics there was no longer any place
for a party which had so completely ruined
ITSELF In the Philadelphia convention the
Democratic party completed the list of its
crimes by becoming felo-de-se and Kidding the
world of its unloveiy presence.
The Democrats of Maine had no Fremont
ton OF approaching dissolution. Some of
them still believe the party IL living,
though it is as purely matter of history as
the Federalist party. They got together in
their State convention, only week before
the Philadelphia suicide; they sent delegates
to assist on that occasion. 1t is strange that
not suspicion of the near future reached
them. But they proceeded to nominate a
candidate for governor II their convention |
had been week later, they would have made
different selection. They would have taken |
soldier, if a soldier could possibly have been
found. AT least they would not have taken
man whose identification with DRAFT riots
and violence of speech in opposition to the
war, made him SO peculiarly offensive to the
great majority of the people of Maine as was
MI Pillsbury. They would have sought out
among their new allies candidates for Con-
gfessional honors, as they did wherever their
nominations were made after the Philadel-
phia funeral had taught them that they must |
"take back seats" for while. In this district
they were already committed to Mr.. Sweat, |
whose Congressional record during the war
was like milestone to carry. 4
1t was in this disastrous position that the
Democracy of Maine found themselves ut the
opening of the canv ass. They could not re-
fuse their adhesion to the Philadelphia plat
form, without cutting loose from the new par
ty. They could not avow their adhesion 10
that platform without condemnina the eandi- |
dates with whom they had saddIsd themselves.
What was worse, such marplots % Marcellus
Emery had already engaged Fernando Wood
and Judge Parsons of Alabama, who made IL
matter for the death penalty for his fellow
citizens to wear the Federal uniform and
Montgomery Blair, to address the people of |
Maine. These men did them great HARM
They corrected that mistake after the first |
week. Their more recent speakers have been
men who during the war had for them but
one name-Copperhead dogs. They have done
their employers less harm than the Parsonses
and Blsirs, but that is all that can be said
The obnoxious candidates could not 10 shak-
en- off and have weighed the party down 10
the very close of the contest.
Under these circumstances the canvass has
been singularly tame. With the political rec
ord Of the candidates they dared not NEEDLE.
There was no opening for an Iattask upon
the personal character Of such men Al Gsner-
al Chamberlain and Mr.. Lynch. The old
Democratic doctrines had been ruled obsolete
by the Philadelphia synod, and tho National
Union creed pronounced sentence OF eondem-
nation upon the very men they desired to put
in Office. What could they say thea9 Moth
ing except peace" in every note of the gam
Ut We had heard them talk Of peace" be-
fore, and were not much affected. For the
rest, they relied upon hard work, liberal ex-
penditures of secret service money from
" ashington, and a judicious use Of the post
Office argument. We are able this morning to
measure the exact efficiency Of these means.
AN INTERESTING CoRREsPoNDrNcE.-T
pirate Semmes recently wrote as follows to.
MaJor-General Swayne, commanding the Dis
trict of Alabama
MOBILE, Ala, Aug. 20, 1896.
SIR DO read the Presidents proclama-
ZION o. Inc zutn INST, declaring that peace
States are in possession of their civil ,;obts
correctly, when suppose it to restore the writ
of HABEAs CORPUS in this State: and b.va
you any instructions to interfere with me far.
ther, in case should open the Probate Govt |
OF Mobile, of which am Judge, and proceed |
to the performance Of my functions? Should |
you think additional instructions needed in
the changed circumstances of the times, will
Won do me- the fa ror - 4aIoez.aah - a. 49,.