Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-30
M. Hicnoorn's .aSeepsa,sce.

OF tnt Cu1c temperance ConvcuuOn, III
forsning him Of his nomination for Gov
ernor by that body. Mr.. Hichbsrn has
written the following letter:
STOCKTON, July 81, 1869.
Messrs. j H. Greeley, II. j. Woods and
S. 1. Roberts,. Committee State Temper,
ance ConreRtioR:
GENTLEMEN IL have the honor to
acknowledge herreceipt of your favor of
the 10Th ult.. informing me that at the
State Temperance Convention that day
holden in Portland, was unanimously
nominated as candidate to be supported
by the temperance men of Maine, for
Governor of the State for the ensuing
year" Accompanying the same is copy
of the resolutions adopted by the Conyen-
ton.
Like prudent men Of another time, when
breaking away from the usages and con-
yentionalitics OF the hour. the Convention
wisely ma de u full and clear declaration
Of principles by which the Temperance
men of Maine are willing to be governed.
First. ave are in favor of equal rights.
and even and exact justice to ALL"
In this understand the Convention to
include the broad and comprehensiveplan
OF reconstruction, by which our beloved
country, war-worn but not destroyed,
indebted but not bankrupt, is again TO be
united upon the basis of justice, and
equality before the law for all races,
colorS and conditions of men. This tenn
persnce men everywhere indorsc, bolicv-
Ing rs they do, Temperance and Liberty
TO be true elements OF good to all men.
Sc cond, "Weare in favor of sustaining
the public credit" &c,
To this proposition trust every true
American is willing to assent. Without
public credit the nation is comparatively
powellcss against internal commotion or
external force. Added TO this is the
farther fact, that heavy public indebted
ness is never failing burden upon the
industrial energies of the people, never, TO
be tolerated n moment beyond actual
necessity. To accelerate this let rigid
economy in State and Nation be the
imperative demand of every laboring
man.
Further, the Convention declares in
favor of development of the resources of
the State, by the aid OF wise and friendly
legislation.
This, | trust, is allowed To include
agriculture, commerce, manufactures,
&c.--all Of which are pressing themselves
upon the attention of the men Of Maine,
with unusual significance at the present
time.
Too long have the advantages and
opportunities of orr State been over
looked. And to-day the inquiry is, shall
agriculture, so long neglected, be fos,ercd,
aided aud digniiied A. it deserves
Shall the special industry OF Maine. so
useful in building up her extensive coast,
be retained 10 her in It's former vigor and
utility? Shall her skilled mechanics, so
essential to the strength OF the State, be
retained ut home, encouraged and en-
ploved? Shall her sailors be increased and
educated for both State and National
defence? And shall the sails of Maine
ships again whiten every ocean? Shall her
extensive waterpower, so ready Tor work,
be summoned to service every where?
Shall the railroad system of the State
be so perfected as toimproye and cement
all the industries within, and TO share all
the advantages naturally accruing from
without?
These and kindred subjects, including
the moral and intellectual well-bcing Of
the State, together with Il faithful, practi-
cal remembrance of the sailors aud
soldiers, who sacrificed that the nation
might live. are questions. we might say.
now passing upon the minds of Maine for
favorable solution.
And for all these purposes, Temperance
men feel that the most valuable produc.
ton OF State or nation i It's men; and
the greatest destruction that can befall
any people is the destruction of its man
hood And The surest and swiftest des-
troyer of nations. now suffered to exist, is
the selling and drinking of intoxicating
liquors, Impressed with these convictions.
Temperance men seek first the salvation
of the manhood of the State feeling that
this secured. and all else follows as a
ltural result And TO this end will they
ask the entire abolition of the traffic in
alcoholic liquors as beverage. This
they will seek by all moral means, aided
by whatever of legal and police force the
exgencies of the case may require. Prac-
teal results they purpose to reach. and
certainly by the mildest possible means.
Viewed from these standpoints, trust
Temperance men will no longer be
charged with entertaining but lone
idea" Theirs is foundation plan. not
only for the advancement of good. but
for the destruction of evil. And here,
trust, they will meet no antagonism from
existing political parties. Most assured
ly the true man Of all parties cannot
desire other than the ultimate good, and
the destruction Of whatever lies in its
pathway.
In This spirit, and TO these ends, and
these alone, fully appreciatingthe sacrifice
involved, in distrust of my own ability,