New-York tribune., 1874-07-09
ANTEDILUEIAN POLITICS.

The politics of the State of Maine are an
interesting study. The State lies back in an
eddy outside of political currents and tides
and the politicians go round and round in it
like a blind horse in a bark-mill. Its cOnven-
tons have a sort of Rip Van Winkle flavor
its politicians a faded and rusty aspect, and
its platforms and resolutions deal gently with
things pre-Adamite, and express profound
convictions as to the Fall of Jerusalem and
the Destruction of the Armada. Dy means of
two Senators and five Representatives the
State keeps up connection with the National
Capital, passing acquaintance with National
politics, and a reasonably firm hold on the
Post Office and Custom-hOuse. 1t is at this
season of the year, say about the 1st of July
to the 1st of September, that the Maine peo-
ple indulge in those calm delights that pre-
cede and herald the choice of legislators, State
and National which is the annual salvation
OF ruin of everything that everybody holds
dear. 1t is now that they hold conventions,
make able-bodied remarks upon the condition
of the country, pass resolutions OF histOrl-
cal character, and listen like people whose
amusements are few and monotOnous to an
address from Hannibal Hamlin, The political
proceedings in Maine during this period are,
as we have said, of an extremely interesting
character. The resolutions carry us back to
the remotest period in the history of man,
and the Honorable Hannibal Hamlin discourses
largely and sweetly of the Cave Bear and the
Troglodytes
For the present season the performance has
already begun. There has been Democratic
State Convention. The Honorable Hannibal
Hamlin has addressed his fellow-citizens at
Bangor, and Mr. James G.. Blaine has sent a let
ter to the press accepting renOmination-re
luctantly, Of course-to Congress. The Dem
ocratic State Convention, with something OF
the unexpectedness of the grasshOpper, and
not q little of the brilliance of the celestial
visitor which is just now flinging a flaming
wake across the sky, sprang up the other day
with o resolution in favor of absolute free
trade. People rubbed their eyes moment,
and wondered whether the comet had really
struck us and flung us forward into the next
century with the National debt paid and no
occasion for revenue; or whether it was only
a voice from the graves of those who ever
and ever so many years ago were swept away
in the victorious charge of Gov. Kent, for
whom, in the reprehensibe hymnology of the
term, "Nlaine went HI bent" Democratic
organs that had talked in a loose general way
about Free Trade" in connection with Hard
money" and Home Rule" fastened to say
to the Maine Democracy that they did not
mean that; that they were carrying it too
far; that Free Trade, Hard Money, and
"Home Rule" was only jingle, and must not
be accepted too literally; in short, there was
much confusion about it, The explanation,
however, is not difficult The Maine Democ-
racy does not know there has been a disturb
ance in the country during the past twenty
years, and that in consequence of 1t we have
a debt TO pay which, were all things else IA
vorable to it, would make Free Trade imprac-
ticabe, if not impossible. doubtless the
Maine Democracy means well. Possibly the
leaders, who, for some reason or other, have
taken very little active part in legislation.
either at Augusta or Washington, for several
years, have heard the talk about Free Trade,
and in their simplicity believed it. 1t is their
mistake; that is all. Their intentions are
good They want to get into Office. But we
suspect the omission to take decided stand
upon the questions Of the United States Bank
and the annexation of Texas will be fatal to
their hopes of success this year
Even the Honorable Hannibal IIamn has
descended gracefully down the ages to later