The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-07-30

In reply to note from the Committee
of the State Temperance Convention, in
forming him of his nomination for Gov
ernor by that body, Mr.. Hichborn has
written the following letter;
STOCKTON, July 81, 1869.
Mes.rs j. n. GREELEY, II, J. wooDs, and =. I. RoB-
ERrs. Committee state Temperance ConVentioni
GENTLEMEN have the honor TO acknowl-
edge the receipt Of your favor Of the 10Th ult..
informing me that at the State Temperance
Convention that day holden in Portland, was
Unanimously nominated as q candidate TO be
supported by the temperance men Of Maine for
Governor Of the Stale for the ensuing year"
Accompanying the same is a copy Of the resolu-
tons adopted by the Convention.
Like prudent men Of another time, when
breaking away from the usages and convention
altics Of The hour, the Convention wisely made
a full and clear declaration of principles by
which the Temperance men Of Maine arc will
ing to DC governed.
First, "we are in favor Of equal rights, and
even and exact justice 10 ALL"
In this understand the Convention to in
eludc the broad and comprehensive plan Of re-
construction. 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 temperance men everywhere indorsc, be-
lieying as they do, Temperance and Liberty to
be true elements OF good TO all men.
Second, "we are in favor Of sustaining the
public credit" sc.
To this proposition trust every true Ameri-
can is willing to assent Without public credit
the nation is comparatively powerless against in
ternal commOtiOn or external force.
Added 10 this Is the father fact, that heavy
public indebtedness Is never failing burden
upon the industrial energies Of the people, never
to be tOleratel a moment beyond actual nccessi-
". 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 recourses Of the State by the
aid Of wise anil friendly legislation.
This, l trust, is allowed 10 include agricul-
ture, commerce manufacturers, &c.,-all OF
which are pressing themselves upon the atten-
ton OF the men Of Maine, with unusual siguif-
icance at the present time.
Too long have the advantages and opportuni-
ties OF our State been overlooked. And to-day
the inquiry IS shall agriculture, 80 long negloc-
a
YES,
Shall the special industry OF Maine, 50 useful
In building up her extensive coast, be returned
10 her in its former vigOr and utility, Shall her
skillful mechanics, 30 essential 20 the strength
Of the State, be retained at home, encouraged
and employed. Shall her sailors be increased
anil educated for both State and National de
fence And shall the sails Of Maine ships again
whiten every ocean Shall her extensive water
power, 80 ready for work, be summoned TO SER
vice eyerywherel
Shall the railroad system Of the State be so
perfected as 10 improve aud cement sll the in
dustries within. and 10 share all the advantages
naturally ACQUIRING from Without
These are kindred subjects, including the
moral and intellectual well-being Of the State,
together with faithful. practical circumference
Of the sailors and soldiers, who sacrificed that
the nation might live. are questions. we might
say. now pressing upon the minds Of Maine for
favorable solution.
And for all these purposes, temperance men
feel that the most valuable production Of State
or nation Is It's msa and the greatest destruction
that can befan any people Is the destruction Of
its manhood. And the surest and swiilneSs de-
strvyer 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 rs natural result And 10 this end
viii they ask the entire abolition OF the traffic
In alcoholic liquors as beverage. This they
win seek by all moral means, aided by whatever
Of legal and police force the cxigeueies Of the
ease may require. Practical results they pur-
pose to reach, and certainly by the mildest pos
sible means.
Viewed from these standpoints. trust tenn
perance men viii no longer he charged with en-
tcrtaining but "one idea" Theirs is founds-
ton plan, not only for the advancement, Of good
but for the destruction Of evil. And here. |
trust, they will meet no antagonism from exist
ing political parties. Most assuredly the true
men of all parties caspct desire other than the
ultimate gOc.l. anil the destruction Of whatever
lies in its pathway. ..- .- !
In this spirit. and to these ends. and these
alone. fully approaching the sacrifice involved.