The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-08-15
The Chamberlain Movement.

| friends of Gov. Chamberlain is deserving of
some notice, though it was best, perhaps, that
the PRESS should neither oppose nor favor it.
In point of numbers or influence its impor-
lance was not great, but the principles Ter want
of principles) that underlie it, and the "new
plan" on which it is to be conducted, render it
| more important than many, even of those who
are involved in it, are aware. The call for the
meeting W as signed by quite large number,
| as document circulated as that was would be
likely to be. But am informed that the meet
ing was small in numbers,-the highest esti-
mate I have heard being 800, Of whom several
hundred were Democrats. And some of the
warmest supporters of the movement admit
that it was failure. After all the efforts that
were made, by advertising the attractions of
eloquence and music, such meeting is surely
no augury of success.
But its importance is 20 be measured, in
part, by its purpose, aud by what would be the
result of its success. That may be important
which it is important to defeat, and which, for
| good reason, fails.
| 1t was once watchwOrd with us that we
were organized "ror principles, not fer men,
But this movement is for men, not for princi
IL
clusively for the purpose of electing one man
to an office. 1t is not claimed to be Tor any
principles, nor for any other purpose, for the
good OF the nation or the State, but solely Tor
one man.
And it is none theless Objectionable that it is,
as the Advertiser calls it, "a party within a
party" Its purpose is still limited to the cleo
tion of one man. And such party, "organ-
lied" within party, with its own separate
machinery and tactics, is necessarily revolu-
tionary. 1t needs no prophet to foretel that it
| is within" the party to control it, and if it
fails its tendency is likely 10 be aCithout the
party. 1t used TO be thought that it was some
indication Of a mans integrity and capacity
that the people had elected him 10 a place of
trust and honor But the editor of the Adyer-
tiser evidently thinks otherwise; and he has
been la5orng to destroy the confidence of the
people in men whom they have repeatedly
elected, who do not happen to belong to the
number of his ownsparticular friends.
There have not been wanting indications of
a design "to organize party not "acithin a
| party" with Gov. Chamberlain for its candi-
date. This has been manifest in the Demo-
cratic papers, and was openly avowed at the
Democratic State Convention. That was then
the new plan" But as it did not work well
| it now looks as if it had been changed. The
Democratic papers are more cautious; but their
leaning to Gov. Chan berlain can still be seen.
And if "pan" had been agreed upon by
which the Republican friends of Gov. Cham
bcrlain who wish to make him Senator were
to work within the party" wherever they can
control the caucuses, and where they cannot
keep out OF them, so as not to be bound by
them, it would result in just what we now see.
This is the exact policy recommended by the
Advertiser some time ago, and which we now
see being carried out in this city, 1t is true
this is done under the pretencc that it is a
movement of the people. But no such move
ment was ever made before. The avowad OBJ
ject is to control the caucuses this evening;
and as there is no other ''party organized for
any other man, it will rrJbably succeed. five
attend, we shall find ticket for delegates al
ready prepared in every Ward.
This ticket is prepared by committee in
each Ward, appointed at the meeting last WI elk
by the chairman, from list mace out and plac.
Ell IN rs hands. And all that we are expected
to have to do with it is to go to the caucuses and
cast the votes already prepared for US by these
committees. And this is called movement
by "the people, against "the actire politcianr'
For one, l confess l am not in favor of this
Node of action, nor do believe that majority
OF The Republicans in this city approve of it,
1t we could vote directly for a candidate for
United States Senator, 1 think that Gov.
Washburn would have much the largest VOTE.
1t is true that, like Gov. Chamberlain. he is an
hce-holder The peopi. in the eastern
part of the State honored him tern after term
by sending him to Congress. He mas elected
as Governor, year after year during the dark
days OF the war, in support of which he 80 I'd
like Coy. Andrew, among the chief men of tbe
nation. lie is thoroughly conversant with the
gre 1T commercial interests of the country, and
OF our own city and State in connection with
them. If any would set down his long
experience in public life, ''ofice- holder
to his discre dit, 1 would not.
Neither he, nor his friends, have organized |
"a party within a party" TO secure his nomina- |
ton, nor adopted any new plan" for that pur- |
pose. He is not the favorite of the Democratic |
politicians; and they probably would not unite |
WIN minority off the Republicans to elect |
n'h. NOR would he engage in any "Senator
h9ht' III ms city, or elsewhere, within or
WITHOUT the Republican party even if he could
rlise an army OF camp followers by so doing. He
may not he chosen to fill the chair one. honor
ed by Senator Fessendeu. But if he ia not
think it will net be for any want of confidence
IN hlm,-nor for any desire to please the demo-
Gratis by following their advce,-but for the
reason that the present incumbent, Senator
Morrill,, will still be retained in his place. The
new plan may divide and weaken us, and help
the democrats in some localities; but that the
great body Of Republicans in this State are
ready to turn aside and follow the men who
are attempting to lead them into a new party.
is not very probable. Such plan is indeed
"new;' and the policy that dictates it is nee
essarily hostile to the party within" which it
processes to act. REPUBLICAN,