The Portland daily press., 1872-08-26
The Two Candidates In the First District.

To the Editor Of the Press!
Having recently made an extended tour
throughout the First Congressional district, it
may not be unnteresting to your numerous
readers for me to give resume of my observa-
tions respecting the chances of success for the
two gentlemen now before the people in the
coming election. As far as the Liberal Repub-
lican'' movement enters into the contest favor
ing the Democratic nominee, and which is pa
raded with so much noise b. Democratic papers
and speakers, it will be found to amount to
nothing at ALL In this district there are Re-
publicans who favor the election of Mr.. Greeley
though they are few and far between, but after
making careful enquiries and conversing with
leading men of both parties this fact stands
boldly out, that there are but few Liberal Re-
publicans in theentre district who will vote for
Mr.. Clifford. And why should they? Have
they anything to gain thereby? Admit that the
two candidates before the people are in every
particular equal-that one would make lust as
good representative in Congress as the other,
pray tell us what Republican is going to gain
by leaving the regular organization and casting
his vote for Democrat for member of par
ty who are, and always have been enemies of
the Republican party? This assertion can be
ventured without fear of successful contradic-
ton, that no two candidates were ever before
presented for the suffrages of the people whose
characters and abilities have been SO fully can
vassed as have those of Messrs. Burleigh and
Clifford. Of Mr.. Clifford the people say, we
have no fault to find, he is a smart young man,
has a good moral character and bids fair to rise
in his profession. Business men are wanted
men who have been successful in managing
their own affairs are the men we want to man
age the affairs of the nation. Now we know
that John H. Burleigh began life a poor boy.
He had no friends to give him an education or
to start him in life-all this he must do for him
self-and that he succeeded in an eminent de-
gree the position he occupies o'day well attests
to the fact. He is peculiarly well adapted to
represent our interests in Congress at the pres
time. The great cry is our ship building inter-
est is dead. If this is so, and to great extent
it is true, which of the two men would further
our interest in this direction, man who
thoroughly and practically understands the
maritime interests of the district, or one who
merely has theoretical knowledge of it? The
great lamented' in the early stages of his ad
minstratiOn told the people of Pennsylvania
that he did not understand the tariff question,
but would at his first convenience 'post'' him
self regarding it. So on the question of ship
ping we want man that does understand it
aaoao and not enc who must ''post'' himself upon
it at some future day. The question of manu-
features is also an important subject-one that
the voters of this district are immensely inter-
ested in. In Congress complications are con-
stantly arising regarding this matter, and if for
no other reason than that, we demand that a
representative be sent there who fully under
stands this question in all its bearings. The
people contend that Mr.. Burleigh does under
stand it. Only few years ago. almost unaided
and alone, he purchased factory. one that had
been ruinous heretofore to every party that had
engaged in it, and by perseverance and sound
judgment has succeeded in building up a bust
ness that ranks second to none in the specially
in which it is employed. While in him stock
holders find faithful manager, employees also
find staunch friend one, who always has their
interests at heart Let any one who doubts
this go among them and zee, .,H
Another question, one of vital importance to
the people of this district as well as of
the whole country, is that of finance. In
the next Congress questions and movements
directly relating to this important question will
be raised. Now the people admit that a man
who has shrewdly managed his own pecuniary
concerns and as President of one of the sound
est banks in the country managed the financial
affairs of Others-both in national bauk as
well as savings institution, is better adapted
to cope with these vast questions than one who
has never had any experience upon so impor-
tant subject. In these three important mat
ters viz: Ship-building, Manufactures and
Finance, the voters of the First Congressional
district of Maine have weighed John HI. Bur-
leigh and in either one he has been found mot
wanting" These are facts that cannot be gain
sayed or denied. ...eT
Without detracting from Mr.. Clifford, giving
him all that is due, one must, unless blinded by
party prejudice admit that in Mr.. Burleigh
there are combination of qualifications
that Mr.. Clifford does not possess. Not only
will the Republicans in the district vote for him,
but many Democrats also, Conservative Demo-
Gratis, those who look beyond party, will sustain
Mr.. Burleigh believing in him they will find
a man who will carry out the interests of the
whole people of his district irrespective of par
ty or party trammels. This is the feeling from
and cry raised that Liberal Republicans are to
roll up big vote for Mr.. Clifford is simply pre-
posterous. No one believes it, The speakers
that speak it and the papers that trumpet it
know there is not one word of truth in it, nor
are the people deceived thereby. The question
of Greeley and Grant, all other questions in
fact, are for the time being made secondary.
The independent voters of this district, believ
ing they are right, are determined to go ahead
and to have for their next representative in
Congress, John III. Burleigh. YORK.