The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-09-03
The Appeal Of a Stranger.

QUO New YORK, Aug. 81, 1872.
To the Editor of the Press:
DEAR SIR:-Will you allow a stranger to
say few words in regard to your political
campaign which is now so near its close
Ordinarily State contest should be fought
out by those who are Immediately interested
in the local issues involved. This is particu-
larly true Of State like Maine, where so
much ability, and vigor and earnestness have
distinguished its political leaders in past
campaigns and where there is 50 much intel
ligence on the part of the rank and file.
Moreover, peculiar issues have divided opin-
ions in Maine with which no stranger could
have intslligently or proftably intermeddled.
But this year the situation i, wholly
changed
Between six and seven millions of voters
are looking anxiously awaiting the result OF
next Mondays work and will look for the re-
turns-on the following morning with sub
sicitude of which believe your people have
not an adequate appreciation. In the midst of
the noise and smoke of this their immediate
| fight, they cannot see themselves as others
see them-they cannot realize what a grand
and commanding position they occupy before
tho country.
Napoleon fired the hearts of his soldiers in
Egypt by reminding them that ''Forty gen-
erations looked down on them," in the shape
of the pyramids which stood near in their
awful solemnity of associations. No rhetoric
ought to be needed to make far more i'm
preston on intelligent voters the appeal
that comes to-day from the millions of true
men all over this land who look to the Re-
publicans of Maine to win victory that will
secure to them the results of grander war
than ever Napoleon fought
This is not exaggeration or ''buncombe".
There is not an intelligent voter in the I'm
ion who does not 'feel it il his bones" that
sweeping majority for Perham will virtually
end the Presidential campaign. Outside of
this State your local issues are little known
and will not be generally understood. Your
election will be regarded solely in its bear
ings on the general result and every addition
al vote for Perham will count as much for
Grant IS twenty cast for him in Novem-
Der, in as many different States.
The voters of Maine hold the position of
honor in this campaign. 1t is their duty to
realize this, and to come up to the high evil
of their opportunity, forgetting or sinking
what is merely local or personal in the fight.
II they want to ensure the election of
Gen. Grant their time to strike is in the
election which is TO either encourage the
most fraudulent game ever played for the
Presidency or to send confusion and dismay
among the ill-organized host of disappointed
office-seekers and reviving rebels.
There is scarcely banker or prominent
merchant in the larger cities of the East who
is not waiting anxiously for the result of this
battle. More than political issues are at
stake, and the men who are most concerned
in the stability of our finances-who must
take account of all the influences that may
effect their business relations at home and
abroad-know that the election of Greeley,
means a depression of values, uncertainty az
to the future of our finances and all manner
of new financial issues. They know that
under a continuance of the present admin
istration there is certainty of increasing
values, of reas.ured confidence, of diminu-
ton of the debt, of diminution of the taxes,
Of stability in all branches of business. This
is not partizan defamation; it is the talk Of
Wall street, of State street and of all the
centres of financial activity. 1t Is the consid-
Grafton which has made tens of thousands
OF the best bushes, men of the country sup
porters OF Gen. Grant, IN spite of old political
prejudices.