Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-10
AUG u ST A
REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.
FOR GOVERNOR.
SELDEN CON NOR
OF AUGUSTA.
NORE ITXINING.

question as about his war record. Iney
object to the manner in which atten-
ton has been called TO his declaration
against prohibition. We are not sur
prsed at this, for the ground upon which
General Roberts placed himself is totally
at variance with the prevailing sentiment
of our people. and it must be unpleasant
for temperance democrats to find that
their candidate is an advocate of free
run. Twenty years of education and eA-
perience in prohibition have taught our
people wholesome respect for that prin-
ciple, so that while the platform of the re-
publican party endorses it that of the dem
ocratc party is careful to omit the oppos-
ing resolutions which in years past never
failed to find their way into it. But the
democratic candidate is not as wise even
as his party, which had sense enough to
say nothing about temperance in its plat
form. He at least is twenty years behind
the times, evidently believing that he
lives in that distant period when farmers
thought it necessary to provide large
stock of ardent spirits for haying when
deacons of churches considered that they
showed their appreciation of the consola-
lions of religion by keeping on hand some
of the best with which to treat the minis
ter when he called on parish business and
when no lumberman on the Penobscot or
any other stream in Maine thought he
could accomplish good work in the woods
or on the "drive" without daily rations of
rum for his crew.
The republican papers in noticing the
position of General Roberts as foe of
temperance have not made insinuations or
concocted falsehoods as to the personal
habits of General Roberts to support ac-
cusations against him as an enemy of
temperance, but they have published and
called attention to his own words as the
foundation for what they assert. To this
the democratic organs can only reply by
whining and charging US with abuse and
misrepresentation The Argus says: Can
"did, intelligent men do not like to hear
their neighbors denounced because they
''happen to differ from them in regard TO
"the effect of the Maine law"
No, neither do ''candid and intelligent
men, like to hear candidate for govern
or make speeches in favor Of opening the
flood-gates OF intemperance. such as the
serenade speech of General Roberts,
speech on which we are entirely willing
he shall be judged in relation to the tenn
perance cause. In the same article the
Argus remarks that misrepresentation
land personal abuse are entirely out OF
''place in the discussion Of SO important a
Question" and yet subsequent issues Of
the Argus have contained editorials and
communications vile, personal and false
in regard to the habits of prominent re.
publicans, such as have nowhere appeared
in the republican papers in relation to the
personal habits of General Roberts
In its whining the Argus goes on to say
that "there are as good temperance men
''in the democratic party as in the repub-
''lican, and as jealous and effective in the
promotion of the cause and then ii
deprecates denunciation as injurious.
We cheerfully admit all that it says con-
corning temperance democrats. There
are many of that sort. but what a cruel
position are they placed in by their party
and Mr.. Roberts. If they look at their
platform they find not a word in favor of
temperance. although that is IA question
prominent in this and nearly all the north
ern States. and if they accept the words of
their candidate for governor as declara-
ton Of his opinions in regard to temper
ance, they find him unequvocally opposed
to the principles which as temperance
men they believe in and claim to support.
Ii they look at the republican platform
they find that it declares for temperance,
and turning to General Connor's speech in
the convention which nominated him they
find him standing upon sound temper
ance platform. We think if the Argus
could get close down to these temper
ance democrats, it would hear denuacia-
tons of General Roberts deeper than any
it has yet heard. They are the persons
insuted and injured by having free rum
candidate thrust upon them for support.
VIII they do it IF they do they must
abandon their Temperance principles, for
no temperance man can consistently or
conscientiously support General Roberts
after his free rum speech at Bangor.
We have made no personal attack up
on General Roberts except what is au-
thorized by the words spoken from his
own mouth. II to call attention to these
be irritating to democrats we cannot help
it. 1t shows sensitiveness that does not
argue well for their candidate Whoa we
have assailcd General Roberts with false
reports concerning his personal habits as
they have General Conner, they may
complain with good reason Of our course.
The Wisconsin republicans have nomi-