Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-27
IlaiIn Ntnnrbtt Nournal
, pL5Iy.spoKEN DEMOCRAT.
AUG u ST a,
SATURDAY MORNING, Nov. az, 1878

4 pLAIN.SP0kEN DEMOCRAT
MIR. BENJAMIN G. Harris of Maryland,
formerly democratic member OF Con-
gress. is now candidate for the place oil
Sergeant. farms in the House when Is
soon to assemble at Washington. In Or
der to promote his claim to the once N'-
Harris sent confidential circular to thS
democratic members of the Hou>e. 10
which he frankly states the reasons tot
which he thinks he should be elected o''-
ing an appeal from democrat TO demo
Gratis. this circular may be supposed 10 re-
fleet the average idea among democrats OF
wba, should constitute reasonable and Just
grounds for political preierment at the
hands of their party. The sentiment thus
disclosed would be absolutely astounding
for its unqualified adhesion to the cause OF
the rebellion and the prominent traitors
engaged in it, were we not prepared De-
lore hand by the favor shown to copper
heads and rebels by the democracy to eX'
pect Just such appeals as this whenever
the party has any patronage to oestow'
When such man as Mr.. Eaton, who glo-
ries in having opposed the war, and avows
himself to be State Rights democrat OF the
Calhoun school: is sent to the Senate oil
the United States from the State OF Con
necticut as representative democrat, why
should not Mr.. Harris be elected to the
position which he asks in the House tor
the reasons set forth in his circular? In
that confidential communication to his lei
low-democrats he says;
For myself, took sides with the division head
ed by John C. Breckenridge in defense of the
rights of the States. For ten years before that
event. the circumstances Of the country led me to
consider the question Of the right OF State to Sc
cede from the Union, and, after mature study and
reflection. came to the conclusion that the right
clearly existed. fully justify the Southern States
in seeding from the Union. The war
upon the South was, in my opinion, most afro
cious outrage on the part of the Northern States
displaying cruel and a whimscally tyrannical
disposition and it is . great regret with me that
the democrats of the North should ever have CIV
en- their countenance aud support to such Ito say
the lesst of it) q stupendous act Of folly. When
ia Congress felt it my duty to vote against eveiy
bill for raising of forces and every bill for the APP
preparation Of money to carry on the war, and had
the glory of receiving the censure Of the radicals
Of the house for uttering in speech the following
PRAYER: GOD ALMIGHTY GRANT 20" may
NEVER SURROGATE THE SOUTH. Ny
qreatsst regrstis that GOD DID NOT GRANT
my prayer
What the democrats in the House will
do about Mr.. Harris remains to be seen.
He belongs in that section which has only
to crack the whip over the democratic
party to command obedience. If the South
demands the election of Mr.. Harris the
northern democrats will yield. But sup
pose he fails to be elected, what COM
mentary it is upon the democratic party,
that any of its members, especially one
whom it has honored with seat in Con-
gress. should base his appeal for favor and
Office on the ground that he had actively
opposed the government in its efforts to
prevent the destruction of the Union by
rebels, still believes in the doctrine of Sc
cession which cost the nation rivers of pre-
cious blood, and laments that God did not
grant his prayer that the South might
never be subjugated!