The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-02-28
wills, Feb. rs, 1868.

DEAR Mn. EpIroR: Last week our one Ne
publican Senator Mr.. Goodwin, took his scat in
the Senate. Perhaps II 10 well that he should !
but had he refused to 90 near that body, and
treated the decisions Of those who have passed
upon the subject Of our contested election with
the contempt that decision deserves, 1t would
have been In consonance with the feelings OF
ninety -nine out Of every one hundred Republi-
cans In this county. I have been pleased with
the manly and foroible manner In which you
have done battle for our sakes, exhaustins the
arguments that should have been sufficient to
have procured different decision of the powers
that be, and when that failed you very properly
gave warning that the "ill furnished" men who
took such . dslight in kicking their friends,
would be looked after and punished whenever
such enemy came within reach Of our skirmish
line. In justice TO yourself, dear sir, and still
moro for the sake Of our organization, allow me
to say that, in an extensive acquaintance with
our Republicans In this county, know that
their sentiments are like yours Us expressed on
this subject.
do not propose to open the argument pro or
con ON the subject Of our election, but there arc
some "reminiscences growing out Of 1t that may
properly be called up. II was admitted by oil
reasoning men, that the subject Of throwing out
the York vote was IN open question-that is, as
much, perhaps, could be said on one side as on
the other and we demanded only this Of Professor
Chamberlain, that he should give US ut least the
benefit Of the doubt After o mastery argu-
ment by Gen. Shepley, not one Of the best, but
the best and ablest lawyer In the State Of Maine,
there was not copperhead In tho Conncil
Chamber that did not feel that the decision must
bc in our favor, and 30 expressed IT, but, presto,
o copperhead has chance to talk to the Profess
sor, and he thereupon shows towards the major
ity Of tho council who voted in our favor, the
temper Of Andrew johnson and threatens to We
to their action Political sagacity-morc than
that-a moderate sense Of decent propriety,
would have caused him or any other man to re
tire from his threatening attitude. He knew
that he was in an uncalled for manner using Vi
olence towards, and depriying Of the rights
which the whole State j speak adyisedly) took
for granted would be allowed them, two as
brave soldiers as himself, men who had fought
rebellion in the field without shrinking. The
Professor would have been the last man In tho
State thought Of for Governor, had he not been
representative Of our soldiery and this Is the
way he represents them. He should have been
modest, and not gone out Of his way to "step
his foot into 1t, especially ut this time. Scarce
" warm in his gubernatorial seat, he with the
caution of very young boy goes before con-
ycntion and pledges himself to any legislation
they may wish. As Joshua L. Chamberlain he
had right to do this, but rs Governor Of this
State such action was misuse Of his official po-
sition which shew him unfit for trust. lie
should have been modest towards York; for by
this very action Of his he was instrumental m
putting upon the statutes books o law which
crippled the Republicans In this county, and
which the people repealed as soon as they could
get at II. Such leadership which reduces the
Republican majority for himself 1900 and
causes the loss Of three counties, Is In keeping
with his management In our contested election I
II Pilsbury again makes such charge upon
him as he made last year with his rebel battery,
the Professor viii hardly be promoted on the
field. We are not in the habit Of boiling straight
nominations; but ifhe is again before US for our
votes, his nomination viii cause some wry faces
before the dose Is swallowed. Tho interests OF
York and Cumberland counties are In meas
urc, identical. II Is very desirable that there
should be reciprocity Of good feeling between
them, and we are pleased to learn that the votes
Of Mr.. Randall (who Is doubtless relative Of
p. NJ, Gen. Randall,) In the council and Mr..
Robbie in the Senate, Is not approved by their
best men. Cumberland cannot secure for her
self the good she may wish by sending such
men Us her representatives incompetent mem
are dangerous anywhere, but especially are they
dangerous when entrusted with interests OF
which they lack the oommonest perception.
Respectfully, Yonx.