The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-11
Our Victory in Maine.

Our Victory in Maine.
SAYS the New York World OF yesterday
"There can be no question but that the
radical majority in Maine will be decidedly
reduced" Say the dispatches from that
State received last night, and confirmed
to-day :-"The unprecedented majority Of
$4,000 secured last year has been increasedin
every town in the State, and the victory this
year will exceed 25,000" So much for con-
serVative prophecies in regard to the way the
people OF the country stand on the great
issues of the day.
We can well afford to be exultant. In
1886 our party had the vast prestige of being
the organization which had subdued the
Rebellion. We had all the machinery OF
government in our favor; the patronage
of the nation was directed towards securing
majority unprecedented Our opponents
were, by the facts of history, declared
political incompetents, and the charge OF
favoring a defeated band of traitors was laid
at their door. They were the scorn and con-
tempt of the world. The Republican party
was the party in power: to belong to it was
an honor-to oppose it a social disgrace.
gained seven thousand votes, and made Maine
give $4,000, when heretofore she had given
but $4,000.
This year everything has changed. The
opposition had become the Administration.
The vast national patronage was thrown
against us. 1t was nolonger cause of obloquy
to belong to the Democracy. No man need
20 oI q oI;r
cerned, to belong to the conservative party.
All the influence natural to possession was
now in favor of the Democrats. Tley selected
an able and a representative candidate; they
fought the fight on the principles OF the e.
construction policy of the Executive. The
Republicans had no head. Congress, as a
body, composed of hundreds of members,
could not mould the campaign. They labored
under every physical disadvantage, and
had in their favor but sense OF right,
true principles, and a dauntless courage
which might be termed desperation. With
their limbs girded up to the fight, with the
breastplate OF truth and the helmet OF equal
Justice 10 all, they went forth to the battle,
aad have conquered, with such victory that
we can scarcely believe the good news, so
good it is. "Have confidence in the people"
has been the advice of both parties, and we
have had confidence in the people, but not to
the extent that they deserved. We had
hoped that we would hold our own-we have
gained everywhere. We believed that we
would not be driven back-our whole line has
advanced and taken up new position in the
front.
Great as our victory is, it but foreshadows
portance so far as the actual result Is con-
cerned. whether General Chamberlain be
elected Governor by $1,000 or 10000. But it
is OF vital consequence so far as it indicates
the spirit of the people, and the direction In
which the political tide is running. Maine is
barometer by which we may judge of what
kind of weather we will have in October
October controls November, and September
indicates what will be the decision of Octo-
ber. Three States have spoken on the tair
and open issue of the campaign, and all these
have declared with increased power their de.
termination to stand by Congress and the
Constitutional amendment. IL says in tones
not to be mistaken, ave are in favor OF equa
Justice and equal protection. A white vote
is only equal to white vote, and we deny tc
South Carolina any equality which entities hel
citizens to have twice as much power at tht
polls as that of citizen of the pine forests o
Maine" Let us, then, be careful. The gooC
cause will triumph. The people fully under
stand the issue, and with full understandin!
will come victory to the side OF right. Th
Tribune gives us a few stirring words, whcl
will be fulfilled in our State at least:-
"Take heart, then, true patriots. everYwhere 70
we believe with new ardor that the spirit OF tn
great North is not subdued nor Its intelgenc
deceived In New York, in Pennsylvania, IN OhiC
in Michigan, in all the States TO which are pre-
sebted 10 this memorable fall the still living issue
of freedom and slavery, the friends of progress
work with new energy and greater confdenc'
The triumph in Maine is the result of work, an
with equal earnestness every loyal state who
votes in October or November should give, wit
Maine o decisive gaia on the Union majoritie,"
New jersey.
"Alluding to the power which the State Coz
stltution conters upon the Executive TO conVen