Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-18
TEMPERANCE.

The action of the temperance meetings
at Auburn manifested a good deal of re-
luetance to continue distinct political or
gSnization based upon the question OF
temperance alone, and repudiated unani.
mcusly the idea of binding the order OF
Good Templars to any political party,
Even Mr.. Nye of Watervillc, although he
could not forbear thrust at Governor
Chamberlain in retaliation for the remarks
of the latter in his last annual message,
showed disposition to act with the re
publican party if Il satisfactory nomination
for governor were made. The proposition
to hold convention in May to nominate
a candidate for governor in order to fore
stall the action of the republican State
convention seems to have been a test
question those who favored the PROPOSE
ton desiring to continue the Third Party,
and those who opposed preferring to act
with the republican party if its nomination
shall be such as they can endorse, This
proposition it appears did not succeed, it
being lett with the chairman of the COM
mittee, Mr.. Hamilton of York, to call the
convention at such time rs he may think
best. This expression we understand to
signify readiness for union with the re-
publican party under the proviso before
mentioned in regard to the nomination,
and this undoubtedly, SO far as we are able
to Judge. was the decided sentiment of the
convention, as it is of the great body of
temperance men in the State.
The election of last year demonstrated
very clearly that the mass of temperance
men believe in working through the re-
publican organization rather than by a
separate party. Circumstances favored the
Third Party yet their vote was not what
they anticipated, solely because the opinion
prevailed in the temperance ranks that a
temperance political party distinct from
the republican organization and neces-
sarily antagonistic to it was not called
for and its formation a mistake. If tenn
perance men desire to secure candidates
favorable to their views in the republican
party, they know as well as we do, that
standing aloof from the primary meetings,
holding separate State conventions, and
maintaining distinct organizations, is not
the way to accomplish what they wish,
but just the opposite. If they step out
and fold their arms who will be surprised
that temperance wanes in the republican
party and anti-temperance controls? We
DO not expect that every member of the
republican party will be ardent in the
cause of temperance. or will all think alike
in regard to measures for its advance
mant, but we are satisfied that the tenn
perance element impresses itself more
strongly upon the people of the State
through the republican organization than
it could in any other way, and that by
gradual patient working it may enlarge
its influence and spread its benefits.
Now if they demand satisfactory nomi-
nations let them so to work fairly and
legitiniately to secure them. If they
stand aloof and will not raise a hand to
help themselves they cannot expect to OBJ
tain representative men. Men who think
alike on national questions, in n year when
national questions are paramount in the
elections as they are at this time, ought to
act together in the common cause, and
will we have no doubt, as we predicted
last fall when the election was over. We
take the defeat of the proposition to hold
a convention prior to the republican State
convention as the signal Of peace and har
mony, which we trust may be wisely and
satisfactorily consummated when the last
named convention meets, and be ratified
by every town in the State where division
has existed.