The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-06-25
The Congregational Question.


To the Editor ofthe Press.
The question of the selection of a nominee for
Representative to Congress from the first Dis
trict is prominent topic of discussion at the
present time and is possessed of peculiar i'm
portance. We are in the midst of great political
changes and while the enemies of the present
Administration are making desperate efforts to
defeat the election of Grant and Wilson next
November, it becomes every true Republican to
stand firm in adhering to those principles
which have given us the liberty we enjoy to-day
We would earnestly caution our friends in the
matter of selecting candidates for any
political position of prominence, to take
only those who have been tried in
the fire. Especially is this injunction
applicable in the choice of Representative
nominee for this District. And while there
may be others equally mertorious, equally true
or popular, we feel that there is no one more
deserving, more popular, or truer to the party
and its interests than Gen. M. +. Wentworth;
and hence we conscientiously and unhesitating..
~ recommend him to the choice of the District
Convention to be holden ON Wednesday next.
The most important question in regard to the
person to be selected is in reference to his quail
fications. To be fully qualified he must be
popular with the masses and possess certain
degree of general fitness for the position.
Hence the query is suggested, "What is meant
by fitness in this connection % We understand
it to involve such knowledge of business as to
enable him to comprehend and discuss ques-
tions of taxation, tariff or any other which
affect the industrial interests of the locality
represented.
Much stress has been laid by the enemies of
Gen. Wentworth upon the charge of his lack of
knowledge of business and frequent attempts
have been made by them to bring into unfavor-
able contrast his sagacity in this direction, by
writing up certain candidates and quoting their
standing as men of business to his (Gen VS.
disparagement. Now it is a fact we'll known to
the people of York county particularly, that no
man in that region, has met with more brilliant
success in this very matter of business, than
has DIR. M. f. Wentworth in his practice as a
physician. He has attained so remarkable a
reputation as medical practitioner, that there
is not an individual who dares come forward
and attempt to prove that he has failed of at
tanning as eminent position in his line of bus
mess as his rivals, as quoted from time to time,
have in their legitimate pursuits. If a man
becomes popular and successful as a mechanic
or trader, through peculiar aptness and skill,
it argues that he understands his business thor
oughly and hence succeeds. 1t is equally true
of physician who by persistent, study or nat
ural ability, arrives at the summit of popular-
ty in his vocation, that he reaches that point
only through skillful management of his bus
mess. The position taken by few insignii-
cant enemies of Gen. Wentworth may be at
tributed in part by the jealousy excited through
his achievements in his profession.
If political record is wanted, we have but to
look back over the past decade to find as strong
claim for Gen. Wentworth as the most cynical
person could desire. Our space forbids us reca-
pitulating it in full, however, and we must con-
tent ourselves by abiding to his enviable career
as respondent to the demand of his country
upon his patriotism to his strong position at
the time of the treacherous johnson reign
(Which position by the way, cost him the loss of
lucrative Office His steady and persistent la
bors in behalf of the Republican party; his
sacrifice of time and money for the advance
ment of the interests of Republicanism; to-
gether with the fact of his being the most pop
ular candidate at the last Congressional conven-
ton, place him high above all others oil the list
of candidates to be brought before the coming
District convention. LIEUTENANT.