Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-12-03
The Senator Question,

IL was not our intention 10 have said q
single word on this subject, believing that
the people OF the State through their Re-
publican Senators, were every way quail
ned TO decide for themselves. We should
not now intrude on their province. had we
not been accused, In certain quarters, of
having some Interior designs, By reason of
our past silence. 1t is true that like 9TH
e.s, we have our individual preferences. as
To candidate for the important position
OF l. ). Senator. but il Is not the province
OF newspapers TO parade the views OF their
editors, or OF the coterie which NAV con-
troll them, In opposition to the wishes Of
the people who are every way as compe-
tent to judge and decide AS the editors
themselves: and here. it is proper to say,
that We deprccate the bitter discussion to
which this question has given rise. as in
furious Ia the best interest, of the party,
and damaging to the high character of the
gentlemen whose names have been men,
toned in this connection
In the case of Senator Hamiin, who's.
long public life aid services have furnish
ed noble record. known and read of all
men, OF what avail to-day. are efforts to
tarnish that record among the people of
this Slater 1t cannot be that they are SO
ignorant and iorgetful of his distinguish
al public life az TO need the spur of inter-
e>ted partizans. nor is it. In our view. de-
mauded of the press at this time. either To
lAud the character and acts OF the yenera-
BILE Senator, or 10 belittle or asperse them.
by comparison with those of other men
Al this tends only to engender bitterness,
and does 30 good. Certainly. we would
not presume TO reflect upon the course
pursued by other journals. but express
our own convictions. and we think. OF
large majority, also. OF Hancock County.
50 far a we are informed. not Reprcsen-
tatve nor Senator o! this County was
elected with any pledge to support Mr..
Hamiin a next senator. and not a man of
them i to-day so pledged. nor have they
given any assurances not to support him.
They all respect and value him, and ut the
proper time will express their own and the
wishes of their constituents on this matter
They need no instruction from newspapers
nor partizans, because on this subject they
are as competent TO judge as any would be-
teachers. The sentiment. then. of Han
cock. i Hands of. gentlemen; at the
proper time, We will give you an express
siou." While we have been panied 10 see
the attacks upon Mr.. llamlin. from those
OF his own political household. We are vet
constrained to say that the njudicious and
dictatorial manner with which his claims
have been advocated. have been little less
damaging to his interests than those OF lis
opponents. Much as we admire and re-
sPect Mr.. Blaine for his manly and out
spoken advocacy OF Mr.. Hamlin. vet il
would have been preferable, had he been
less pronounced and lartzan in his letter.
Occupying the distinguished position
which Mr.. Blaine does. and sensitive and
impatient as are the people now. 70 every
thing that looks like the management of
political rings. silence would have been n
wiser policy. These premature and caus-
tic discussions are productive of but little
good. They tend TO disturb and allen
ate the good feelings of our friends,
cheer the desponde nj hearts of our enc
mics. who always take hand In all mis-
chief brewing, and make more doubtful
and hazardous the final result.
Witness the feeling that has arisen be-
tween the two leading Republican papers
OF the State. which IS largely shared by
their respective readers. and let anyone
say, If lie can. what good 10 the country.
10 the party, or the different candidates.
can come from this contest. II majority
of the Republicans OF this State longer de.
sire the faithful and efficient services of the
present Eastern senator, they will make
themselves heard Ia January; if they do
not, their wishes in this respect will at the
same time be made known. With them.
We cheerfully leave the choice.