Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-27
WHO COMES NEXT?

WHO COMES NEXT?
1t will be seen by his letter that Hon. c.
P. Kimball of Portland declines TO be can
didate to be supported by the democratic
party for governor. Having served two
years in that capacity, without improving
his own fortune or that of the democratic
party, he makes graceful and grateful
bow to all around and retires. When Mr.
Kimball waa nominated he was considered
the most available candidate his party
could select. Active, energetic, popular,
with record free from ultra copperhead-
ism, and business connections that brought
him large acquaintance with influential
men in all parts of the State, he was in
deed candidate of whom his friends and
supporters had reason to be hopeful. But
with all his popularity and activity as
candidate, supported by the whole strength
of the democratic organization, he has not
been successful. OF Course this is not his
fault, but is occasioned by the malign in
fluence which rests upon the democratic
party, from which it appears fated never
to recover. In 1870, General Roberts as
the democratic candidate for governor,
was defeated by republican majority OF
only SPAS. In 1871, General Roberts de.
clining to. be candidate, Mr.. Kimbal
was nominated, and in September the re.
publian majority was 1868. In 1872,
Mr.. Kimball was again candidate, and
again beaten, the majority against him be-
ing 1910. So we may well say that Mr.
Kimball's candidacy has not been Il sue
cess, since the republican majority has
steadily increased from the time Roberts
was candidate to the present year.
Doubtless Mr.. Kimball succeeded as we'll
as any candidate would that the democrat
cy could have nominated, but the figures
show a result from which he and his friends
can have no special qualification nor his
party conjure anything hopeful. His par
ty in the State was well organized, ably
led, and in the campaign last year had the
assistance of contributions from abroad in
money and speakers, with Horace Greeley
at the helm supported by such lieutenants
as Lang and Pike, with the help of the
tidal wave" and the "great uprising of
the people," and yet the result was sore
defeat. That the democrats did not at
tribute this disaster to Mr.. Kimball is very
evident by the general desire manifested by
them TO re nominate him this year. That
he has become satisfied there is no chance
for the democracy to recover power in this
State is equally plain from his declining to
be a candidate.
Now then the question comes up for
consideration among the sachems of the
democracy, whom shall the party nomi-
nate as candidate for governor? 1t is
said there are several gentlemen who
would not object to receiving the nomina-
ton, but at present no name seems promi-
nent, and gloom, doubt and despair hover
about the councils of our opponents.
Some would try a liberal republican can
didate, but the liberal republicans have
nearly all returned TO the republican fold,
and that plan is not encouraging; some
wish free trader and others protection
list; some are for young man and others
for an old Bourbon; some are for curly
hair parted in the middle, and some de-
demand hair of the straightest kind assur-
ing pedigree not from Ham. With all
the soundest thinking democrats there is a
conviction that it is not of much conse-
quence who is nominated. The unanimi-
ty with which Mr.. Dingley was nominated
AT Bangor, and the heartness with which
his nomination is received in all parts of
the State, are convincing proofs to them
that there is no chance this year for MAX
ing inroads upon the republicans. and they
feel that they might as we'll let the election
go by default as undertake to contest it
and be worse disgraced than ever in the
the result. Had Mr.. Kimball consented
TO carry the load another year he would
have been unanimously nominated. but his
declination has let the party down dis
tressingly, and what IT may do in the
present predicament no man can forsee or
decently conjecture. Some time in Au-
gust we shall learn what course is to be
pursued, but the shower will not be very
heavy in any event.