The Portland daily press., 1874-06-09

fought from 1850 to 1860, the battle of free
dom against slavery in Congress. Strong in
his convictions and loyal to principle, ready
and cogent in debate, fearless in danger, he
was power on the right side. He was
chosen Governor of Maine in 1860 and
through the troublous years OF 1862, he
conducted the affairs of the state with re-
markable intelligence, nerve and discretion.
The whole system of government was neces-
sarily changed to meet the abnormal condi-
tions arising from a state of war, and the
problem of making the state most efficient in
the national cause, and at the same time
protecting its treasury from the onslaughts
OF the host of Adventures made prominent
by the connections of the time, was solved by
the Governor in a most satisfactory manner;
and, although in thus vigilantly defending
the treasury he disappointed soma
men in their expectation of public plumber,
the hostile clamor of such should commend
him to the favorable attention of the people
of the state. Since 1868 Gov. Washburn
has been at the head of the Custom House
in this city, has been identified with all bust
ness enterprises of that time, and has acquir-
ed familiarity with the commercial and mar
thine interests of the state, which would be
most valuable in the national legislature.
His large intellectual powers, broad culture,
extensive experience in public affairs, and
lively interest in current business would
combine to make him most useful represen-
tative of the state, and potent influence in
general legislation. ..
With such candidates as these, and others
who have not been named, the assumption
that the contest is settled seems the grossest
effrontery. The people will be likely to cate
chise the candidates for the legislature, and
not rest satisfied with evasive answers so
that when the members shall assemble at
Augusta, it may be found that they are not
the representatives of Mr.. Hamlin, as is as
sumed, but are prepared to look the ground
all over and act as shall in their independent
judgment best subserve the interests and
honor of Maine and the nation. We make
this protest against such assumption, not in
ohO VI Ludll, Uut " lIlslSb tudt ul6
question is still open, and that the compare
tive merits of candidates are fair and practi-
cal subjects of inquisition. discussion and
judgment by the people of Maine.
THE letter of our New York correspondent
in another column will attract attention on
account of the topic of which it treats at
lpnUth yuap fo1 ,a hat L -
warmly commend the recommendation of
President Grant for repeal Of the legal tend
er act inasmuch as similar suggestion is
conveyed in letter from his pen which we
published in January last, bearing date the
18th OF that month, from which We quote the
following paragraphs:
"Specie payments will come. There is no
doubt about that. But confess that have
always felt strong desire that this admins
tration should have the browning glory of
welcoming their advent. The way has been
stripped of so many of its difficulties that
now is the opportune moment. If it were
seized promptly we should be solvent ma
ton before the year was over. The repeal of
the legal tender act to take effect say Janua-
ry LIST 1879; the authorization of coin loan
adequate to the maintenance of specie
basis, and the funding meanwhile of treasu-
ry notes as fast as they are presented for re-
demption; and scale of taxation equal to
erery possible expenditure of the government
with small margin for contingencies, would
carry the country triumphantly through the
difficulties superinduced by protracted and
destructive civil war and debased currency.
Whatever present shrinkage and suffering
such return to first principles might occa-
sion, would be compensated an hundred fold
by the advantages which would subsequently
accrue"
THE Millers' National Convention at st.
Louis has developed new orator, Neither
colt of Greenvie, Illinois. Mr.. Nethercott
thought the convention was just wasting
time over such questions as cheap transpor-
tation, loss by leakage, &C., and went on to
say "what we want to consider is how much
flour can be made out of as little wheat as
possible. Some millers take six bushels of
wheat to the barrel, and some take five
Amy fool can make barrel of -four out of
six bushels, but tell you, it takes man to
make it out Of .foe. This matter is one
which, in Importance, towers above the ques-
ton of transportation as the Andes does
above an Illinois lnole-hill. What man is
there here who can get up and say he can
make barrel of flour out of five bushels of
wheat? That's the question. That's what
this conventions got to hump itself on"
This strain of rugged Western eloquence
quite took the convention off its feet.