Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-29
THE DEMOCRATIC CONTENTION.

TIE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
The call for democratic convention 10
nominate a candidate for governor has ap-
peared. 1t was DELAYED so ion that there
began to ne some doubt aboni il appear
ance at all. The unanimity with which
Mr.. Dingley's nomination was received by
the republicans was so di>heartcuing 10
the democrats that many OF them advised
making no opposition, bat after delibera-
ton among the chiefs it was determined
to hold q convention as a matter OF form.
The call is addressed to democrats and
no others. No mention is made in it OF
liberal republicans. or OF any other class
of voters. 1t is to 1.-The democrats Of the
sseyeral cities, towns and plantations OF
sthe State of Maine Some time ago we
called attention to the fact that the bunker
democracy were regaining their snprema-
cy in the party, and that probably no
more new departures would be underta-
ken this year. and the candidates would be
of the bunker stripe. The tendency of
the party has been in that direction since
the defeat of Mr. Greeley, and took posi-
tive shape after the appearance Oh the Al
len county resolutions in Ohio, which were
aireafiirmation and attempt to continue the
amalgamation programme of last year
Nl,,t, hi
bunker opposition. and they fell dead.
After the stands of Senator Thurman
against them there was no more effort
made to press them upon The party rs its
policy.
That the democrats of Maine return
very unwillngly to the yoke of the hunk
ers, after having cast it off and treated
with contempt that wing of their party,
there is the best of reason to believe.
The new departure, the nomination of
Greeley. and the coalition with Liberal
Republicans, were decidedly the choice OF
the democrats of Maine. The young de-
mocracy took special delight in hurting
the epithets, bunker "bourbon," coop.
perhead," at their older and more rigid
brethren. accusing them of being deat
weight to the party and the cause of all it.
woes in the present time. But all this il
gone, and now the young democracy mus
submit to the dictation of their elders
There will be no more cooling and billing
between democrats and liberals None
but democrats are invited to the STATE
convention. None but straight demo
crat will be nominated. None but n plat
form that believer in the right of seces
sion may endorse will be adopted. Ante.
bellum principles will be placed in the
ascendency; and democrats who are OBJ
posed to them will be placed upon back
seats ana told to remain there until 1876.
We had an impression that the Younger
and progressive element of the democrat
cy might manifest some opposition to the
retrograde movement into which they are
to be led, but the appearance of call SO
exclusive in its character proves that the
surrender has already been made and the
hunkers have the convention to them
selves.
In some States the liberals are holding
conventions and trying to force Il recogni
ton from and alliance with the democrats
but there is no prospect Of any such man
agement in this State, The major por
ton Of the liberals, those who were sin
ccre and honest in following Mr.. Greeley
are returning to the republican party, am
the few who were prompted by other thai
honorable motives have not spirit enough
to call convention, even to protec
themselves from being completely su4ju
gated by their late allies. The careless
manner in which the names of possible
candidates are mentioned indicates that
nobody of any prominence or influence
cares much about the nomination. There
are some men Of inferior talents and in
huence who will be pleased to accept it if
they can get it, but no leading man has
any desire for the position who knows
what is what. The convention VIII be n
farce, the nominee being left to the emp-
~ honor OF nomination, without any AT.
tempt at his election.
Proceedings in bankruptcy have been ins,i-