The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-06

whose term of service expired Just before the
battle of Bull Run, and whose inglorious de-
parture was made memorable by the glowing
words Of Mcdowell, ''They marched to the
rear to the sound of the enemy's cannon
He is the same modest, patient, indomitable
Captain, who made tae hearts of the people
thrill with ecstatic joy over his achievements
at Donelson, Vicksburg, Appomatox and an
hundred minor battle fields. And as he
enters now on his final campaign against
the same foe, armed with less deadly weapons,
to be sure, but with scarcely abated ferocity
of spirit, every instinct of gratitude, every
impulse of loyalty, every sentiment of justice,
must inspire the unselfsh masses with an
ardent desire for his success.
Gen. Dix has struck the key note for the
War Democracy, in letter pronouncing for
Grant with not a little of the old fire which
animated him when, as Secretary Of the
Treasury, early in 1861, he wrote the historic
words, Elf any man hauls down the American
flag, shoot him on the spotp e.
A strong effort was made, a few days ago,
to commit the Apollo Hall Democrats to the
fortunes of Greeley, but it proved a lament
able failure. The prominent members of that
organization, such men as Havemeyer, Bar
rett, Clinton and other leaders in the revolt
against Tammany Hall, will support Grant
heartily, if there is no Democratic candidate
in the field. -a .1E
The mercantile interest in New York is
almost entirely against Greeley. There is
nearly universal sentiment among the COM
mercial classes that his accession to the Pres
idency would be disastrous mistake.
A preposterous statement has been going
the rounds, that A. T. Stewart.adhered to the
so called Liberal cause, bnt there isn't q word
of truth in it. With the exceptions Of Bel
mont and Duncan, scarcely know Of
banker or business man, of whatever past
political predictions, who is not anti-Greeley.
And what Belmont thinks of his candidate,
he has placed on record. As party man, he
is obliged to accept him, with the reservation
that it would be difficult to find more I'M
suitable nominee. This equivocal sort of
backing is ore of the consequences of Mr..
Greeley's anomalous position, and will be
very apt to repress any thing like enthusiasm
among that large class of his Democratic
supporters. .resra oE
The letter of your Mr.. Blaine to Senator
Sumner has elected marked attention. The
coalition newspapers compliment it with
columns of denuncia ton showing unmistak-
ably that they appreciate its effectiveness. 1t
contains opposite and telling truths, which
thinking men will ponder. And it comes too
from gentleman whose opinions have great
weight with the people. No man in the Re-
publican party enjoys in higher degree the
confidence and respect of the public than
Speaker Blaine. IF it had not been deemed a
well deserved and eminently proper tribute to
the integrity, fidelity and worth of Gen.
Grant, to nominate him for a second term,
Mr.. Blaine would have proved formidable
candidate for the succession. His head is
level, his judgment sound, his heart
in the right place; he is genial in his manners
and kindly in his nature and possesses exactly
the qualities which fit him for a popular lead
er. His associates in Congress of all parties
bear witness to the dignity, impartiality and
abilityswith which he has filled the Speakers
chair. This is no small praise when we consid-
er that he succeeded to that model OF excel
lence and suavity Schuyler Colfax. 74
The State of Maine certainly has reason to
be proud of its Representatives in both houses
of Congress. Your senior Senator in an al
most uninterrupted public career of thirty-six
years has not only borne an irreproachable
name, but has never hesitated when it became
necessary to choose between party and right
to forsake the former and cleave to the latter.
You will lose practical, sensible and vigilant
guardian of your interests in the retirement
of honest John Lynch, and Mr.. Peters con-
stituents will be fortunate if they make his
place good. ..
Maine will be the focus for the eyes of
everybody interested in politics from now un-
til the 9th of September. Virtually, you
open the campaign. 1t isn't question of
how the state will go. No one has any doubt
on that point. But if you should roll up one
Of your old-fashioned majorities such az has
electrified the country every September since
the Republican party was created you would fill
the hearts of loyal men throughout the Union
with a joy akin to that which they felt when
Sherman captured Atlanta in 1854, and utter
ly demolished the prospects of Mcclellan, or
when Grant brought Lee to bay on the soil of
Virginia and opened the vista to that region
of peace which has since blessed the Republic