New-York tribune., 1870-05-30
MAINE.
SENATOR MoRRILL's LETTER-THE POLITICAL
SITUATION.

AUGUSTA, May 23-Ihe latest pOltlcai SeilSa-
on Maine the letter Of Senator Morrill, TO Speaker
Blaine Upon its face il the most harmless and inonei
svc document that politician wrote TO another
and in order to understand why it creates ripple upon
the placid mill pond of Maine politics, II becomes neces
ary to go back the Senatorial contest OF 1869 resulting
in Senator Mprrs defeat That contest was the most
memorable that ever occurred in Maine. Even now the
politicians hold their breath while remembering how
near the vanduishcd came to cutchng victory and how
narrowly the victOrs escaped defeat. Mr.. Halnlins
friends opened the campaign upon his part by serving
notice upon all concerned least two previous to
the election, that he would he candidate HIS curious
now 10 note the effect this announcement The pre-
vaing sentiment among the more prominent OF our pub
lie men and active politicians, including nearly all the
Congressional delegation at Washington was, that MS
candidacy was of no consequence" and if persisted in,
would certainly come TO naught
AT the outset Mr. MOTilPS friends thought II hardly
worth while TO make an effort and rarest Of good for
tune-beforc the lines tightly drawn or the battle
waxed hot the Impeachment trial along and Mr..
Morrill, captvaed the great heart of the people by voting
TO sustain the articles upon which the most stress was
laid From that time forward for long, long time his
friends considered that the track clear and that the
result would be the whether he walked trotted or
ran To the Judges stand. Not however did that por
ton Of the party whom "Old Abe" 80 aptly denonl-
mated the plain pcOpc"-thc farmers mechanics labor
ers OF Maine regard the probabilities Of the struggle
From the word go" they considered Mr.. HaInlns
/
fate. They considered him " man of destiny.
His marvellous career beginning back in 1886, when
he years Old and appeared for the first time
IA member OF lower house of the Maine Legislature
and running through the successive grades OF speaker
REPRESENTATIVE in Congress- member Of the state Lcgis
ature again. United States Senator to i'll vacancy and
again for full term; Governor United states Senator
again and finally VicePresdcnt Of the United States,
had no parallel in the political history OF Maine In all
his contests he tasted the bitter waters Of de
feat There few towns in the state he had not Ns
tied at some time in the course OF his lne, ana not
school district where ne had friend Both parties
had an abundance of faith but fortunately for MI.
Uoulip il was part of his creed that faith without
works dead His friends were of the same opinion
They knew the eagle in the rock, but understood
perfectly that must he hecn out The enect OF Mr
Morrills vote upon impeachment was, for moment,
stunning to the supporters OF Mr.. Hamn II diScOn-
ccrted hut did not demOraze them Had Mr.. MOrrill's
friends recovered from their confidence quickly as the
'Old Guard did from their discontinue, the result
might have been different. But they didn't do 1t; and,
as the BOYS say that's what's the matter" Not until
month or two prior to the meeting of the Legislature did
Mr. Morrs friends realize the necessity OF doing any
thing in particular unless an exception be made in favor
| Of making states. In that particular department Of
industry their application was intense-thelr figures
rosy, But when they did wake to sense Of danger,
! the fight became tremendous
! Fr.(ioy. Washburn at Portland and Gen. Hersey at
|
.y xrere his ght and left bowers Against them
| srch men as Senator Fessenden, Representatives
! blaine and Pike, and Messrs. Hale and Morrill,,
REPRESENTATIVES elect IL was also understood
| that Gen Chamberlain with majority of his
council favored Mr. Morrill,. or the men not
in fce hut ENJOYING state regulations, and OF extensive
COMMUNICATION who had held hgn olhS,a P0sil3hs
| a large majority likewise favored Mr; MorIni. @ Bet
among ali his friends whether in official fe or a7 private
Citizens none were apparently more active and con;pc-
unns than Mr. Blaine. II all appearances were not d'-
ceptiye he was most depended on by MoIIl ana most
dreaded by Hamin. When the leglsature re met hf W1s
ON the ground in person. HIS mouse was @ o s s %
| Of Mr. Morrills friends But a day or Two before NE
caucus he left for Washington Mr. cft 81 thS te son 0
time II considered then az far M pall @ Un t a.
could possibly be effected i9E %1 he nv was man Of
| boundless resources, and, II occasion Ieqnhieu,
tHa'' tHe tormaiity Of an introduction. In such a
contest as was then going on at the augusta ouSe nc
tb nannhs ia well known-7l for Morrill, Is for IIamn
and one blank, followed In due course Oh @ une ny III t
Wearing and several wry faces. The caucus had NOT
been adjourned an hour before G %S H "S @ fnpnd b"
some had not fulfilled the requirements Oh .e sao, an
while few voted precisely as thSnsh le rd uu rahkp
Androscoggin Somerset, Lincoln, Aroos1ook ana WaGo
ali failed TO come 10 the scratch T
md mari of Knox were In Mr. Blalnes Cohgless,o1al M
District but turned ten less than he t ieT o
Morrill, The Morrill, men were u, D treanbery on
thc p bynotbess was reserved until the name OF the
latter was prominently before the puDlc az eahu 1
for election In 1871. Then the rnmors came tok & anu
fost mat Mr. Morrill, had been "slanghtered by Jaos
~ RIane The superseryceabe friends OF the Iornea h
a1e currency TO the report and IL hnally SOt ht9 the
BBaners Meantime Mr.. Blaine Withdrew from the sena-
toIia contest matters were beginning 10 Sette
t, th GOOD old way when Senator Morrll appears III
nrIut Viii politicians learn the danger of Wrtng
intcrsl This letter assures Mr. Blaine tna ne ne ,h
nd tho sIghtest cause 10 doubt that ne acted WIN
1d,itv and honor throughout the Senatorial struggle,
ND ti;yat there had not been moment Tor tne past
anu . nbcn the friendship and cordiay OF their relh
lions had suffered the slightest c lnsIaS eIdiamen upon
n WIN nO enisfle AS that But excitement dtn
follow s publication and ana until
tilo ' Manv of Mr. MOrrs friends did not hesitate "
declare that letter was @ ana hamsy snd uncom
, DoaItlon and In short was al Indication Iua' ~