The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-09-26

- SS'AANN "iodCo vi tuo pCOPiSs N'
Chamberlain, with his overmasterng egotism
and pride of opinion, secure in his place Tor
six years, despising popular clamor," as he
would term any expression of opinion on the
part OF his constituents, and already looking
for a speedy reorganization of parties, would
feel no hesitation in dsregarding the wishes
of the people. This popularity of his charac-
Ter we have no doubt is termed "firmness" by
his friends, but we prefer the more accurate
word.
There is one erroneous impression pre-
valent with respect to Gov. Chamberlain's
candidacy that ought by all means to be dis
PEELED. 1t is not true that the Office seeks the
man and not the man the Office; that the re-
luctant candidate is impelled by the unbound
ed enthusiasm of his fellow citizens to allow
his name TO be used that he disdains to resort
to the usual methods OF attaining success, and
that the men who are most active in conduct
ing his canvass are influenced by disnterest-
ed patriotism. As any one may see who ex-
amnes the matter, the gentlemen in this
city and elsewhere who have been most active
in his behalf have received some favor at his
hands. We might mention names, but re-
serve them until the correctness of our posi-
ton is questioned. The Chamberlain move
ment has been in the hands of the most ad-
roit political managers that have ever "oper-
ated' in this State. For an enterprise prob
ably not to be crowned with success it has
been conducted with consummate skill. As
for the candidate himself, notwithstanding the
far heights of delicacy, reluctance and reserve
to which he is feigned to have withdrawn, he
has not thought it unbecoming to solicit aid
for his newspaper organs from gentlemen
with whom he had personal influence. He
has asked for large sums to be used in sus-
taiuiEg his mouthpieces in a proper manner.
And very commendable, and not at all dishon-
orabe, it is in him, too. We only mention
the fact for the benefit of those who think
ofiice-seeKlng and political management I'M
dignifed and vulgar, if not dishonest.
But Gov. Chamberlain's admirers rest his
claim to the Senatorship largely on his all
legged superior qualifications for the place, ir-
respective OF his political opinions. 1t is said
that his elegant scholarship and his thorough
literary culture would give him aamore con-
spicuous position in the highest legislative
body in the world than most of the persons
with whom he would be associated. 1t ap-
pears to be the settled conviction both of Gov
Chamberlain and his friends that he alone
can ill the place left vacant by the late Mr..
Fessenden. We doubt if their hopes would
be realized if they succeeded in securing his
election. Mr.. Fessenden's strength was in
debate. Gov. Chamberlain could never en-
gage in debate at ALL since he does not possess
the gift of extemporaneous speaking. And
certainly he could not hope to become imme-
diately very efficient worker in committee,
since he is wholly novice in national legisla-
ton. lie must become distinguished, if at
all, in the same way that Mr.. Sumner is. He is
capable of writing and delivering finished Or
atoms. But it is doubtful if the Senate would
tolerate more than one Sumner. even if an
associate of equal genius for the same kind OF
work could he found. An inferior Sumner
would be simply uncomfortable Now, though
it is acknowledged that Gen. Chamberlain
writes remarkably well, and generally in ex-
cellent taste, yet it must be conceded that he
is subject to some of the most unaccountable
lapses from good taste that ever brought dis
credit upon a public man. Thesedvergences
from the general excellence of his style are so
serious and so frequent as greatly to impair
the respect which his character and ability
usually command. How this remarkable
phenomenon is to be accounted for we know
not, unless, as seems most probable, it arises
from morbid selfconsciousness and extrava
CANT egotsm. Nothing but the veneration in
which its author is justly held prevented that
portion of his last annual address in which he
attacked the Hichborn party and "rased his
standard" for the benefit of his military COM
rades from being the subject of universal ridi-
Guile. But this strange piece OF composition is
creditabie by the side of that famous letter adj
dressed to the nine respectable gentlemen
who in April, 1866, asked him to reconsider his
determination not to serve another term as
GaVarnar-- If Gounr,,1,,. -pora
now in France and were called by the ACCLAIM
tions of the dying people to deliver them from
subjugation, there might be room for his in
fated rhetoric and for his prompt allusion to
the "privacy from which was called by the
cannon which menaced The life of the Repub-
lie" Ifhe was called upon to lead fororn
hope, instead Of to occupy lazy sinecure, in
small State, in time of profound peace we
might endure to hear him declaim in this
way:
YOn call m nv 1,o y,ooc nj
service, CT duty, of devotion. hear the sum
mons as the bugle call to action and 0bey.
Those whom l love il is right that l should al.
so serve. With spirit caastened by the solemn
and sacred memories which bind me to her
history, and still strong in the faith of her
cause, and exalted in the pride of her name,
L shall deem myself honored by any humble
part to which the people Of Maine may assign
me in her coming bright career.
IF an undergraduate in Gov Chamberlain's
own Bowdoin College should go to "cutting
up" in that style we doubt if his Professor
could be restrained from in1icting physical
punishment
Political Notes.
Dennis Mccarthy, the champion of the salt
monopoly in Central New York, has been
thrown overheard by the republicans of the
twenty-third New York district, and r. H.
Duell Of Cortandt county nominated in his
place. Mr.. Duell has already served two
years in Congress, and is as much of a pro-
tectionist as Mccarthy, but he is not, like the
latter, proprietor in the Onondaga salt
works, and so will not have the inducement
of personal gain to induce him to work for
exorbitant duties on salt, as his predecessor
did.
The Republicans of Virginia held State
Convention at Richmond, Thursday, compos-
ed of delegates from all parts of the State, and
representing all shades of Republican thought.
Radical and Conservative, or Walker and
Wells Republicans, cordially fraternized, and
seemed disposed to enter upon an unselfish
effort to build up and sustain the National
Republican party in the Old Dominion.
The colored people of the XIth, XII. and
Nlllth Congressional Districts of New York
held Convention at Poughkeepsie Thursday
and considered the political and educational
situation. Strong resolutions were adopted,
indorsing the Republican State ticket, and IA
voring the erection of seminary for coloreL
persons OF both sexes.
Hon. Rowland G.. Hazard is mentioned as
Republican candidate for Congress from the
Western district of Rhode Island, in place of