Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-24
THE SPRING ELECTIONS.

THE SPRING ELECIlONc.
The annual spring elections in our State
are close at hand. In some towns and
cities they will be held next Monday. 1t
is therefore time that preliminary steps
were being taken by the republicans TO
secure good candidates, such as are wor-
thy the confidence of the citizens at large,
and will be available In cementing and
strengthening the republican organization.
Our republican friends may be assured
that wherever the opposition may discov-
er chance, either by open party fight, or
the independent" mo party or "peo-
PIES" dodge, to carry town or city they
will improve the opportunity to the utmost
There is no doubt what they will do where
they can; on our part we should be
equally as bold and decided, faithfully
maintaining our organization against
secret and deceptive movements as well
as against direct and open assault
1t should he borne in mind that this year
we chose members of Congress, making
it necessary that we keep our party lines
firm in the March elections. in order
that the September result may not be
weakened by divisions allowed to creep in
this spring. If the democracy could sue
coed in making gains at the town cleo
tons, they would herald the result as u
triumph in a national sense, and make it
contribute to the support of their ticket in
September. 1t becomes republicans there
fore to be wide-awake, prompt to take the
field, bold to face the enemy, proof against
all the wiles he may practice to disorgan-
ize and overcome the majority. Thus far
the democracy have made less than usual
attempts to make inroads upon our ranks
at the March election. The firm attitude
of the republican party against all their
assaults is discouraging to them, rendering
them weak and irresolute, uncertain what
course to take, and filling their councils
with distraction and threatened divisions
of the party. But whatever appearances
may be in their camp, it is our duty to be
united and prepared in ours. for all con-
tingencies. Although given out few
weeks since that the democratic party was
about to dissolve and appear no more for
yer in the political contests of this coun-
try. the intelligence was too good to be
true as we predicted at the time and events
are proving to be correct. So we admonlsh
republicans not to accept the idea that the
democracy is dead and act upon that be-
lief, but to believe that it still survives and
will be the only real party with whom we
shall have to battle in the future as in the
past.
For our harmony and success at the
polls much will depend upon the candi-
dates selected by the republicans. The
caucuses should be fairly called and held.
1t is the duty and privilege of all republi-
cans to attend them. If men keep away
from them who have the right to be there
they ought not to complain at the nomi-
nations or other doings of the caucus 1t
may not unreasonably be presumed that
those who neglect to attend the caucuses
are generally satisfied to leave the power
of selecting candidates in other hands. 1t
would be better, however. for all voters
to attend the caucus as regularly as the
polls, and take a personal interest in the
proceedings even though they felt willing
to waive their right and accept the de-
cisions arrived at by those who might be
present. If fraud creeps into caucuses and
sometimes controls them, it will be found
upon investigation that such state of
things is generally led on by the indiffer-
ence and neglect of the voters. 1t is Of
great Importance that the candidates pre-
sented by republicans Tor Office be men Of
capacity to discharge the duties of the
place for which they are nominated, men
of known integrity and good personal
character, generally acceptable to the
citizens and available. We ought to secure
the best ability we can to manage our
town affairs, for they touch directly upon
the people, taxing their lands, buildings
gnu poShStS, thSii oSuOois, SOi-
structing and repairing their roads, at-
fecting business and society in many ways
The republicans have an abundance of
suitable men for town officers. For many
years majority OF our towns have been
in their hands, some of them years of
severe trial to the officers, testing their
wisdom to manage and their honesty, and
yet the sum OF incompetents and delin-
quents has been surprisingly small. We
trust that the same discretion which has
distinguished the republicans of Maine in
the past in the selection of local officers
will continue to be displayed, giving us
worthy officers and well managed town
governments Again we urge our friends
not to be remss at the caucuses or polls.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
To the Maine legislature:
recently saw in the Boston Journal that
10 ,f.1l,s teal i'll. Lug