New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-30


IRON sTAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
PORTLAND, Me-, Aug. 27.-It can hardly be said
that there has been any political discussion in this
State thus far in the campaign except through the
newspapers for the talking has all been on the side
of the Republicans Public debate of political
questions unfortunately AZ it seems to me, has gone
out of fashion except IN few OF the Southern
States, where rival candidates for Congress and for
State offices are still in the habit of making JOINT
canvasses. The aim of all political discussion
should be to present the important questions OF
the day to the people III such manner
to assist them in cOmprehendlng
fully their political duties and Judging integently
between the claims of cOntesing parties and rival
candidates, and this is not always accomplished
when the different political organizations hold sepa-
rate meetings A majority Of the voters listen only
to the speeches made in behalf OF their own party,
in which important questions are too often treated
with partisan unfarness. But when rival orators
canvass a State section together and divide
time" AZ they say in the South-that s, engage in
public political debate-they are not only under
wholesome restraint themselves and constantly re-
minded that weak arguments Will be Immediately
answered and false assertions promptly exposed,
but the people have the benefit Of hearing both
sides at time, and Of having them presented with
greater fairness
These remarks have not been suggested by the
character Of any of the Republican speeches to
which have listened while visiting some of the
towns east of Portland during the past few days.
Those speeches have of course, been partisan in
their character but no more &c than stump speeches
usually are. All OF them have been remarkable for
the ability with.which campaign material was used,
as well AZ the skill with which some of the vital
issues of the day avoided
The meetings attended the largest yet held
in the State. and the audiences were az demonstra-
tive in their enthusiasm "a down East people
could he expected to be. Each Of them was adj
dressed by Senator Blaine, Gov Connor and Col.
Robert G. Ingersol The reception the people of
this State everywhere giveMr Blaine is very fatter
ing. He has always been of the most popular of
the public men Of Maine. but his remarkable vic
tories in the House of Representatives over the
Southern Democratic leaders, the prosecutions he
has endured and his brilliant contest for the nom
nation at Cincinnati have undoubtedly greatly in
creased the admiration of the Republicans of this
State for their favorite Representative. He has
tered the present campaign with more zeal than he
has displayed IN the management of any previous
one and those who know anything Of his way OF do
ing things do not need 10 be told that he has al
ways been aggressive and energetic in conducting
political contests in this State. The position
WnlCH bOY. iOnnof Housi hhlde IiOiH MS
well deserved popularity, IS sufficient OF
itself TO attract great crowds wherever he
ia announced 10 speak, and when he and Senator
Blaine appear on the same platform on the same
day, accompanied by Col. Ingersoll, the fame Of
whose eloquence always precedes him, tho town or
county which does not turn out q good audience
must be wrapped in political apathy TO snch de
gree az 10 make IL hopeless to arouse 1t this year
But a. have already said, the meetings have been
well attended ut Bangor and Belfast, Skowhegan
and Dover the audiences large as one mans
voice could reach.
One Of the most noteworthy things about the
speeches have thus far listened TO is the omission
Of all reference to Gen. Grant and his Administra
ton. In dozen Republican speeches have not
heard the Presidents name mentioned even once,
and the history Of the Republican party since he has
been the nominal head of 1t has been almost equally
ignored. Judge from this that Grantism is as UNI
popular in Maine as it is elsewhere, and that the
Republican managers OF this State, finding the Ad-
ministratIon too heavy load TO carry, have quietly
concluded to throw it overheard and say nothing
about IL.
Another subject which have not heard mentioned
by the Republican oratSFs is civil service reform.
don't know how TO explain this omission, for had
supposed that Gov. Hayes by his treatment of the
subject in his letter of acceptance had made IL one
Of the leading questions of the campaign, and that
il wonld be very popular issue In New-Engand.
Can it be that the changes which Gen. Grant has
made in the civil service since the Cincinnati Con-
yention for political purposes, and in defiance OF all
the principles which Gov Hayes believes in, and the
system of political assessments which Secretary
Chandler is enforcing have made il prudent for Re
publican orators in Maine to say nothing about re-
form of the civil servicei
The currency question has hardly been referred TO
in any Republican speech | have yet heard. The
people of this State without regard TO party, are,
believe very generally in favor of honest >money
and the disgraceful surrender of the Democrats to
the Inilationsts would, supposed be used as the
basis of a sharp and effective attack IN every Repub-
lican speech. The nearest approach TO discussion
Of this question was assertion made by Mr. Blame
at Bangor, that the Southern Democrats were IN
favor of imitation because without it they knew that
il would be useless to hope that their hundreds Of
millions of war claims would be paid.
What then may be asked do the Republican
orators talk abouti Their favoritc topic is the
bloody shirt" They believe that by that sign
they will conquer, and they keep it constantly be-
fore the people. The Hamburg massacre, Cou-
shatta, Mississippi the Ku-Klux outrages between
1868 and 1871, the thousands of murders in the
Southern States during the era OF reconstruction
these are cited and dated upon in order to impress
the people with the idea that when the Democrats
clam an almost solid South for Tilden and Hen,
bricks they cooy propose to secure it by wholesale
murder and intimidation. Thon the sins and short
comings of the Democratic House of Representa-
tyes are painted in startling colors. The private
relief bills introduced by Southern Representatives.
and calling according to Judge Lawrence of Ohio.
for 100000 900; Ben. Hills defense Of
jeff Davis; fuckers belief IN States
Riabfs: the nredominance OF Southern men among