The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-09-06
Few Words 80 Nr. EIichborn,. sup
porter.

POrterks
Mr.. Hiehborn is the standard bearer and
representative of a political movement in this
state, the declared object of which is the pro
motion OF the cause of temperance and through
mat the cause of good morals generally. oh-
questionably majority of those engaged III IL
entertain sincere convictions that their action
will tend to advance the cause, and conse-
quently result in great good. The high char
acter and infexible integrity OF many engaged
in the movement are such as to force candid
minds to that conclusion. 1t 10 however the
opinion of much larger portion of the tenn.
perance men of the State that the form atior
of third party il injudicious, indiscreet and
frausht with danger to the very cause which
this new movement is especially designed to
a'd. In this latter opinion we fully concur fol
reasons heretofore freely, and as we trust, dis
plssionately stated.
1t Is to be presumed that the third party
have acted deliberately and that the major
part of those who originated the movement
will continue in the path marked out until
their efforts shall be crowned with success CT
what we believe to be more likely, experience
I'd time shall demonstrate the futility of their
oesSAAPeS' Auc'o 10 ouc uuiuk " D6 SdlQ aDOu1
-s"s'r M"Ssnaans which cannot be painsaid and
the knowledge Of which snouIu temper =,
criticism of the actors therein, viz: that the
cause which they seek to establish upon firm
foundations is good, and one that lies near the
hearts of all true men. II their mode of at.
tanning the object sought is thought to be
wrong by men equally anxious as themselye,
TO make the world happier and better, surely
they cannot object to a calm expression Of
Judgment and opinion, but any attacks merely
personal and eDgendered by the heat and strife
OF political combat, whether coming from the
one side or the other is greatly to be deprecated
and regretted. We know that the tendency
to bitterness is much stronger among recently
alienated friends than among those who have
maintained a life long opposition or indifier-
ence and we trust that those who "abide in
the ship" will guard against the disposition to
think and feel unkindly toward those life lone
friends with whom they have fought so MANY
battles for the right and won SO MANY victo.
ries for the cause of truth and human nroo.
ress.
Convictions of duty impel the PRESS to
point out what seems to it the fallacy and in
furious tendency of the new movement but
until the third party passes into the hand
OF worse intentioned men than those who
are now prominent in its direction we shall
not feel called upon to assail their characters
or impugn their motives.
mus much we have written because OF an
article in the columns of Republican paper
unpieasantly animadverting upon the charac-
ter and motives of Mr.. Hichborn. While IL rs
difficult to conceive how a gentleman of 80
much judgment and political sapactv can
come 10 such conclusions of duty as he evil
IDENTITY has, we may well ackno Wedge his abil
ity, bis integrity, his patriotic impulses and
ms moral worth as displayed 10 the character
OF the public spirited citizen, the Christian
gentleman and the sincere friend of bis coun-
try and his kind ..,
We make no doubt that Mr.. Hichborn is 30
Iar as TINS new movement is concerned a mis-
taken man. We think his course will work
great injury to the cause of which he claims
politically to be the especial champion. But
we DO not believe that he is wicked man or
corrupt man and should events justify our
fears as to the effect of the third party move
ment upon the cause o. temperance we are
certain that he would contemplate his agency
in the matter with lifelong regret. We be-
heVe that all the members of that organiniza-
ton who act conscientiously are mistaken,
Dut we willingly concede to their portion the
rightful reputation of good citizens and
honest men. They wrongfully As we think,
distrusted the solemn pledge of the only
party that ever did anything to aid the
cause of temperance-they have taken the
responsibility of putting themselves in a
position where it is certain that they can do
nothing to aid it and if they do not weaken
and destroy the power of the Republican par
y SO to do, it will not be from any lack of pur-
pose or the result of unexpected effort. Let
them meet it as they shall answer it to their
consclences and to God. The Republicans of
Maine, under the lead of their great chief can
leave the matter there, and while one or two
regiments may be drawn off under the mista-
ken notion that they can better "go it alone
the main army will meet the common foe and
win victory for both ., ..asa-