Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-11-23
From the Bath Daily TIaes ]
The SecTetarUShip.

The appointment of eX-Gov. PeTham
as Secretary oil the State, was SO tar as
we are aware, ecelved by the people and
press OF the State with very general
satisfaction. Since the advent OF the
Republican party, the Executive OF Maine
has but twice before been called upon 10
ill vacancies in the State Offices; and
both of these occurred 10 the office oil
Adiutant General. In 1861 Gen. Hodsdon
resigned and Gen. Caldwell was appoint
ed: in 1869 Gen. Caldwell resigned and
Gen. Murray was appointed. Both were
good appointments, and both received an
election by the first succeeding legislature
without opposition. Having accepted
the appointment, we know OF no good
reason why the precedents thus esla0-
lished, should not be followed in the case
of Gov. Perham. Mr.. Chadbourne having
announced to the members elect Of the
next legislature. that he will be candl-
date Tor the office OF Secretary OF State,
and his friends have presented to the
public the grounds upon which they Will
ask his election, let US fairly consider the
question of SecretaTys1ip.
If the candidacy of Mr.. Chadbourne
continues until the meeting OF the legis-
latnre, how will the question present itself
10 the members? They will not find the
Office occupied by a gentleman about
voluntarily 10 retire, having received The
usage oil his party, or by person so
manilestly unqualified TO discharge its
duties. or so obnoxious in office, that the
public protest against his further retention
but. on the contrary, they will find an
incumbent who has held the position but
three months and his friends ask his e.ec-
ton, q gentleman in every respect quail
fed Tor the position, and gentleman
who enjoys TO an unusual degree the
confidence and respect OF the people OF
the State This statement alone, ordi-
narily. would be conclusive in favor OF
the incumbent, but in the present instance
Mr.. Chadbourne and his friends interpose
the objection, plainly stated. that having
been Chief Magistrate, II would be j
degradation 10 Gov. Perham to accept, if
elected, the office OF Secretary OF State,
and therefore they ask the members to
step in between him and his friends
wishes and save him from this humiliation.
The obvious reply 10 this will occur to
every reader-u comes too late, he has
already occupied the office. But ii sea-
sonably taken. the objection would not be
good. We do not recognize any such
caste as forbids to any person honorable
employment, however exalted the posi-
tons which be may have previously
occupied. II is the man and not the
Office, his character and the manner in
which he performs his duties, and lot his
title that determine the question ofrespect
and honor. Pope has well expressed 1t;
Honor and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your pArt,-there all the honor lies"
But as this is not he first instance in our
history 10 which a gentleman has seen lit
10 accept OF an honorable position of less
magnitude than he has before occupied,
as might well be inferred from the amaze
ment expressed at the action of Gov.
Perham, and the importance which is
attached to this objection, let US recall
some of them. John Quincy Adams,
after having been American Minister to
Sweden. England, Prussia and Russia,
Secretary OF State and President of the
United States, thought il not unbecoming
his great name TO serve seventeen years
as q Representative 10 Congress. Thomas
H. Benton, after having served thirty
years as Senator with conspicuous ability,
accep. ed an election 10 the House of Rep
resentatiyes. Does history anywhere
suggest that the American people thought
that either OF these great men degraded
himself by accepting his last positions