Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-20
Massachusetts Did 1T.


Mr.. Blane's defeat at Cincinnati, and IL
there be any honor or any pleasure, on re-
Election, connected with it, the republicans
there, together with the democrats, may
enjoy it to the fullest extent. Holding the
key of the situation. had their State con-
vention for the nomination of delegates al
large, held early in the season, pronounced
squarely for the candidacy of Mr.. Blaine
it would have assured him the support Of
New England solidly. and rendered MS
nomination certain. The people of Mass
achusetts are for Blaine, but they were
out witted by the politicians and the Bea-
con street aristocrats; and delegates, with
few conspicuous exceptions, were sent
to the convention entirely misrepresent-
inc the great masses of the republican
party in the State. The people saw it
after the mistake was made. The posi-
ton of the Massachusetts, delegation in
the convention was truly deplorable.
Headed by the impracticable Dana, who,
to use the words of distinguished iurist
in his own State. "has all kinds of sense
but common sense" they became the con
spicuous objects of ridicule, as they de
served to be, and were Justly alluded to
as "the massachusetts, debating society,"
Like the dog in the manger, they would
neither eat the hay themselves or let the
horse come up for nibble. We find
them one day swearing allegiance to one
candidate, and then, after their regular
evening debates which often broke up
in row, bowling before the sceptre of
another. 'Ere's your nice Massachusetts
delegation! Going, going; who bids -
and at last they were disposed of, and
went against Mr.. Blaine. After the Sec
ond or third balloting they had a grand
opportunity to partially atone for their
former mistakes, and turn the tide in Mr..
Blaine's favor; but this glided away I'M
improved. True, Maine had given Henry
Wilson their undivided support for Vice
President; Massachusetts had, in return,
helped set aside Hannibal Hamlin from
the same office, and forced upon the
country Andrew Johnson, with all the
woes and sorrows attending his admins
| tration. In every measure to promote the
interests or the honor of the mother State,
| Maine has stood shoulder to shoulder to
Massachusetts in national conventions and
on the floor of Congress. Mr.. Blaine has
given the weight of his great power and
influence in the same direction, and the
people of Massachusetts have never found
him wanting. And this is the return,
showing an ingratitude that calls for the
contempt of every honest man. This will
be forgiven, for the sake of the common
cause, but Maine republicans have good
memories.
One of the causes leading to this mis-
representation of the republicans of Mass
achusetts was the influence of the Boston
Journal in the canvass. Blowing hot
and blowing cold" starting out with its
heaviest guns booming and gayest
flags flying for Blaine; then desert
ing him. showing the white flag, just
at the time when faithfulness was
needed, and if any help could be rendered
then was the proper time. The desertion
of Mr.. Blaine's cause at that time was a
burning insult to its ten thousand patrons
in Maine, and an act of treachery that
will not be soon forgotten. 1t misrepre-
scented their feelings and sentiments, as
well as the feelings and sentiments of the
republicans of Massachusetts. 1t had a
perfect right to espouse the cause of any
individual, but it had no right to pretend
friendliness to Mr.. Blaine while fighting
him in the dark. An open assassin, like
the Boston Herald, is greatly to be pre-
ferred. The Journals soft compliments
and fulsome praise of Mr. Blaine at this
time are simply nauseating.