The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-06
Letter from Bangor.
The Senatorial Ma inism versus
RepnbIicanism-The Caucus Question
Wilder Manners.
BANGOR, jar. 4th, 1875.

gi9s.' lffG BANGOR, jar. 4th, 1875.
To the Editor OF the Press:
The announcement of Judge Peters name
as a candidate for the senatorship, has wrought
marked change in public sentiment in this
section. 1t is looked upon as the open sesame,
which shall open a way to break up the dicta-
torial Hamlin faction, which has so long
claimed the right to weigh the cheese of all
contending cats; an it is believed that the
time is not far distant when the "Hamlin in
fuence'' shall not be the test by which to de-
eide every street fight, and jack-knife swap
ping scheme.
1t is not true 1.-THE Wing to the contrary Eot-
withstanding) that any considerable number
of regrets-and we venture to say that no one,
except found among the number who owe
fealty to their Lord Hamlin for the offices
which they or their friends are holding, regrets
that Judge Peters instead of Mr.. Hamln is to
be our next senator. Very many who have
hitherto, held some slack allegiance, and rem
dered some lukewarm support to the veteran
senator. are happily and with right good will,
joining in the ralying cry of Peters!
The supporters of Mr.. Hamlin have place d
great reliance upon the united adherence of the
whole eastern section to their candidate, from
the fact that this district, under existing cir.
cumstances-virtually without representation
cannot and ought not to yield the election to a
western man; and no other eastern man being
in the field, usage accorded it to Mr.. Hamlin.
But the announcement of the name of Judge
Peters for that office, man by residence,
qualifications and adaptability, so admirably
fitted for the place, was like bombshell
bursting in the Hamlin camp. 1t was blow
not to be parted by opprobious and unmerted
eplthets or menacing attitudes. 1t must be
met by other tactics. The attempt to carry
that stronghold must call into action the sap
pers and miners.
But it is said that the Republican members
of the legislature are all pledged to the support
of Mr. Hamlin, and that without such pledge
they could not have been elected, and, al
though satisfied that the majority of their con-
stituents desire another man, they must be
bound by their pledges.
Now if this be so, then we are not living I'M
der Republicansm, but under Hamlinism; not
free and independent citizens of Republic,
but weak and fawning subjects of Hamlin
dynasty. Why pledged? And who has the
"
election? Have the people of the state of
Maine no other interests in the coming legisla-
ture, but to send Hannibal Hamln back to the
SeDate? Does the movement of the whole
political machinery of the state depend upon
returning the engineer Hamlin to Congress?
And, if it be true that the members or
large majority of the members of the legisla-
ture are irrevocably pledged to his support,
why 90 through the farccal form Of legisla-
tive caucus? The legitimate use of caucus is
to nominate candidate to be proposed for
election, not to ratfY nomination made
months previous, in the interests of any partic-
ular individuals What have those, who will
earnestly aud conscientiousy endeavor to Sc
cure the election of another, to gain by going
into a caucus under such circumstances? The
same principle, applied to other matters and
carried to that extent might oblge man,
against his own will and good judgment, to
unite with his neighbors in previously formed
design, to carry abuse and discord into his own
household. We do not wish to be understood
as advising against the caucus system, but
against the abuse of it,
have said in substance that more mild and
persuasive means are now to govern in the
Hamlin struggle. 1t cannot have escaped the
notice of the observing that even the leaders in
the Wing are less warlille. That organ has
been toned down to more appealing strains;
and ''the sound of tho grinding is low" No
more scabbards will be reckessly and spiteful-
ly thrown away.
What creatures of circumstance we are!
Whe that has read the late extreme articles in
favor of Mr.. Hamlin's reelection which have
appeared in the Wing, would suppose that there
could have been held and expressed by the
editor only few months ago opinions and,
sentiments utterly adverse and inimical, ac-
companied by loud-mouthed threats of start
Ing a newspaper against Hamlin if he couldn't
get back on the Wing? Would the editor be
willing, and will he be frank and communion
tive enough to compare his late, over-zealous
advocacy, with lis opinions openly and public
" expressed, no farther off than the city of
Boston, and nc longer ago than during his in
ter-regnum of the editorial chair of the Wing
no farther gone than April last? "Look on
this picture, aud then on this tempora