New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-30
SENATOR MORTON IN MAINE.

Republicans will carry the election Ill Maine
next month by about the usual majority 1t is
simply local election with Legislature and
State officers to be chosen, and the cOntest-if
the formality of O canvass in which the Demo-
crafts indulge may be called contestants
little in it with which national politics Is con-
cerned The election of a single Congressman.
to fill vacancy, is Of small consequence, as 1t
cannot affect the political complexion OF the
House of Representatives, and has no slgnlll-
canoe from "a party point Of view. AS between
the two parties in the State, the Republicans
undoubtedly deserve to succeed. They have
had power in the State for more than twenty
wears, and though their administration of affairs
has been by no means faultless, it must be
admitted that they have shown a sense OF the
responsibility of power, and a recognition OF
their obligations to the people and the State,
which fairly entitle them, as things go, to
the continued confidence of the voters IN
their administration of the State Government
there have been no scandals, no conspicuous
abuses no indiscretiOns even, which would
Justify the people in turning them out, and
taking the desperate chances which must fol
low the sudden elevation to power OF party
so badly managed, so weakly led, SO hungry
for place. and so unused to its responsibilities
as the Maine Democracy. There is no good
reason why the people of Maine should turn
out the Republicans and put Democrats in
their places, and certainly no danger that they
will this year.
1t cannot be because the Republicans have
any serious apprehension OF losing the State
in next months election that they have i'll
yitcd Senator Morton to come all the way
from Indiana to stump the State" That
gentleman can give the citizens of Maine no
enlightenment upon the topics of purely
local character, which alone are legitimate
subjects for discussion in the canvass. He
cannot discuss the issues-if indeed there are
any-bclOnging 10 the canvass, half so intel
ligently az the majority of his audiences, who
may he supposed to be more familiar with
their own domestic affairs than any stranger
would be likely to be- This lie confessed in
fact in his opening speech at Portland, when he
said he should make no reference to local
politics. but speak On,y - Of the OBJ
iect, aims, and character of the Repub-
lican party. Mr.. Morton then il holding
political meetings in Maine, and addressing
the people of that State upon the issues of
national politics. What are theyl H. need
,
for there is really no difference between Demo-
Gratis and Republicans in Maine, or any New
England State, upon that question. Upon the
subject Of administrative reform he cannot
speak effectively, since it is the record of his
own party and of the present National Adj
ministration that has awakened throughout
the country the popular desire for reform;
and a reform of which the condition prece-
dent is q change OF administration. lie can
only dwell upon the past glOrles OF his
party and ring the changes on the Old
war cries. This he is doing. His speech
is pretty much the same rs that he
delivered few weeks ago at Urbana,
Ohio. Not precisely the same III form and
expression, but its plan and structure, its line
Of argument, its method and scope are
Identical with the great" speech which has
been so widely distributed. 1t is repetition
of the desperate effort which sgnally failed
last year to brighten people into the support
of the Administration party by bugaboo stories
and unfounded fctions about Southern out
RACES. The Indiana Senator is telling the rrO-
pie of Maine that they must keep the Rcpuh-
leans in power. not because they have admin
istered the affairs of the State wisely. dis
crcctly, and honcstly-an argument which
would have some forcc-but because Demo-
cratic success means payment of the rebel
debt, pensions to Confederate soldiers. rcstora-
ton Of slavery, and a reversal of the results
of the war.
This is not merely childish it is miscellaneous
in the extreme. For though the intent may be
simply to act upon the fears of the voter to
degree sufficient to insure his voting the Adj
ministraiOn ticket, the effect is TO keep alive
passions and animOsitics that ought by this
time to be dead, and to create diS.rust and
doubt between two sections of the country
that should be cultivating mutual confidence
and esteem. This is inexcuslble in man like
Senator Morton. For surely he must know
there is no danger of any of the things hap
pening which he predicts if the Democrats
should come into power. There is much more
danger of Mr.. Morton's changing his views
again on the currency question and advocating
rag money and imitation than of the Demo-
cratic parys deliberately turning its back
upon its repeated declarations accepting the
results of the war. The mischief of Mr..
Morton's Maine speeches goes beyond their
effect upon the minds of his hearers, which we
hope is small. They appear az part or the
argument upon which the Republicans will
carry the State and they convey ii very
erroneous impression to the country. All the
tilk about oItrascs is idle; it will not affect a
single vote. The Administration made the
fight of last Fall on that ISSUE AMI got wOcfully
beaten. SO far as these appeals have any
effect they weaken instead of strengthen the
party. The Republicans cannot lose Name
perhaps; but by constant harpinc on this one