The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-06-14

AS the time for the State Convention ap-
proaches, the question ofthe Republican nom
ination for governor is more and more warmly
canyassed. 1t is gratifying to observe, that
with rare and Insignificant exceptions the dis
cussion has been conducted in perfectly good
temper and without resort to the dangerous
weapons of elimination and recrimination.-
1t is no discourtesy to other candidates to say
that the choice now appears to lie between
Mr.. SpnINa and Gen. CHAMBERLAIN. These
two were earliest named, and have effsctually
absorbed the public attention, and the admis-
sion of this incontrovertible fact is no refec-
ton upon gentlemen whose friends, present
ing their names later, found the ground pre-
occupied. Both the leading candidates have
been handsomely endorsed at home, as was to
E be expected, and either of them, if selaa4-'.-,
the Convention, will be unanimously aoeop'eu
by the party.
With this understanding, it is perfectly
right and proper for the friends Of the rival
candidates to exert their utmost influence in
all honorable ways, to carry the nomination.
We learn without surprise that Gen. Chamber
lain's friends are very active. 1t is their priv
ilege. We trust Mr.. Springs friends will not
be found mapping
The exceptional displays OF i'll temper in
the newspaper discussion, have not come from
sources calculated to inspire any alarm. The
only newspaper which has become editorially
responsible for any of these utterances supports
the johnson policy. There is no johnson
faction in Maine. One of our congressman
went to Cabinet officer the other day, to pre-
sent a candidate for clerkship. "Does he
support the Presidents polcy9" asked the
smiling official. "No, SIR" was the bluff re-
ply, "and 1 don't know of Republican in
Maine who does" 1t is only by dividing Re-
publican counsels, that johnson party can
be formed. 1t may reasonably be inferred
then that paper which openly advocates the
Presidents policy ,could not be an,oiIlinq to
see such dipision. It's course at any rate Is
entirely in harmony with that design.
Onsuch paper and on its correspondents,
all remonstrance is thrown away. The har-
mony of the party is precisely what they ap-
parently care least about. Happily by with
drawing themselves from its sympathy they
have greatly diminished their power to disturb
it. And yet that paper claims to be the espec-
ial representative and protector of the soldiers
of Maine and their rights. The soldiers repu-
dated its counsels at the Bangor Convention,
as we predicted. Soldiers have repeatedly ex-
pressed their obligations to the Press, for its
influence in preventing that Convention from
being perverted to political uses n. flals-
ted, when he had occasion to review the in
structions nnaa> ti1c State pension law, select
ed the Bangor Wing and not the Times, as a
medium for communication with the soldiers.
That paper, through its correspondents (the
editorial Barkis being entirely willinO, has at
tempted to create military party. within the
Republican party, and failed as usual. What
the soldiers think of that attempt, we can hest
show by few extracts from papers edited NV
military men. The Star says ~
The soldiers, recognize the fact that though
they have had common purpose and been a
unit in the prosecution of the war, when the
conflict is ended and the time approaches
when they will naturally become members Of
fighting political parties, they will be found to
entertain diversity of opinions. All good
soldiers were loyal and are still but they do
not entertain the same political beliefs. There
may be occasions when The soldiers will stand
together for their rights, if threatened; but
they do not admit that they occupy any anon
GIous position In society.
The Hancock journal says st
We think that those who have been in tbe
army have no cause to fear that thew will not
be remembered and appreciated by politicians.
The last Legislature certainly gives no ground
for such an apprehension, 1t is the conyic-
ton of the people that men disabled in the
service shall have positions such as they are
fitted for. Some of our contemporaries admit
this, but add that the will of the people is
baffied by designing politicians-a species Of
complaint resorted to by worn out political
hacks.
There are men in this State aohO Dould re-.
trtere their political fortune 6y encourdqino
usts controversy; soho, to Deaken the pO,ver OF
men dtstastefal to them, aoould not care for
"e nopetess separation of party.
we trust our friends will see that This idle
discussion can lead to no good, and feel that