The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-08-05
Demo cratic District Convention.

day, orSanizeu prothPliy ah" ho"o"'
", nominated by reclamation the Hon.
VIM. p. Haines Of this city rs candidate
for Congress, passed their resolution and
adjourned before dinner. Mr.. Lynch's
paper, the Portland Press, Of the next
morning. affects to treat the matter rs II
light affair; but we see in it deep polit-
ical movement which is of the utmost sig
nifcance. The public have very gencr-
ally and very truthfully for the last eight
wears termed the democratic party mob
without leaders and without discipline.
Il has FILTERED away its strength and OPP
portunities, not because IL lacked voters,
but because il lacked brains, borne down
rs 1t has been with stupidity where 1t had
a right to look for intelligent direction;
therefore II has come to time Mt each cleo
ton with blackened and blind eyes, strik-
ing out in the wrong direction only to be
repeatedly Knocked under the ropes.
But evidently the party has learned
something-learned at least to accept the
inevitable when ii comes, and have bal
anced their books. This they ought to
have done long ago. but adversely is the
best of schools to teach men that which
they will not learn in prosperity. This
lesson has been taught and re-taught from
the foundation Of the world, and Byron
has put in verse and the mouth of Childc
Harold the lesson as good exemplar,
when he says:
ssrhe thorns which have resped are Of the tree
Iplanted-they have torn me, and bleed
should have known what ffuit would spring nom
such q seed
II I. sheer downright bull-headedness
to travel on in way where every guide
post in ii points opposite to the destina-
ton desired. and If the driver who holds
the reins obstinatcly refuses to observe
the landmarks along the road, your only
hope of salvation is to seize the reins
yourself or employ servant who will do
your will. This, we take it, is what the
democracy have determined to do. Let
them do IL.
But what lesson and wide gulf there
was in and between the two Saco conven-
tons. On Tuesday Cumberland came
out to York ready and anxious TO abide
by ancient usage and good faith. As
with us their understanding had been one
of equality-each county was entitled to
alternate the nomination once in four
wears. Mr.. Shaw of Y ork had declined the
nomination but instead Of claiming the
nomination Cumberland to man accord
IL to York. What did our Cumberland
do3 Having given her two years more
than she was entitled to by her own &c
acknowledgements, she came out here under
the lead of Lynch's postmaster and the
notorious Dow of ..sow's .eat" fame, and
rides us down. and returns to camp in
Portland with York outraged and degra-
ed rs q tail to their kito-no, we are
wrong, York left the convention and
means to keep out Of it-returned with
the scalps Of Lynch's bread and butter
brigade.
How was II with the nominees p On
the one hand that party had repeatedly
asked their man to allow them to honor
him with their franchises, but he had as
often said '.no.n to their solicitations, say
ING that he did not want Office but want
ed TO devote himself to his industries; and
once in spite Of his protestations they
nominated him and he declined. Now
their convention sees, or thinks 1t sees,
such demand ON the part Of the people
whom 1t represents, that it unanimously
demands that he shall be candidate be.
fore the people and for the people, and II
does not even ask him If he win accept,
and will not allow him to decline.
How was II on the other hand9 Office
holders IN the time Of Jefferson woul,
rarely die and would never resign. and
the times have not improved much in
that respect. 1t was once thought to bt
evidence of mans unitness to represent
the people that he would buy or solicit
their votes. and much more was it proo
positive of his uniitness to represent them
that he would attempt to swindle thcm
out of their rights. Have the people out
grown those quaint old notions'-in the
breaking up Of "precedents be they rca
or pretended" and the removal Of ole
landmarks. have they discovered \ surci
touchstoue to try mans unfitness for OF
fee than that when man will race NJ
and down the land to beg. buy. borrow OIL
steal the peoples suifrages he Is unwor
thy to receive them? And yet the people
have seen a candidate, Of whom for good
or bad they have had enough, commence
year in advance Of their opportunity Il
pass decision. to buy up nearly on e-hal
of the press Of his District and sacrificing
money to obtain II, too, that like brigs
dier-gencral marching up and down III,
country with cannon under his arm
with which to fire his salutes, Ii may sirs
his own praise.