Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-23
The Feeling at the National Cap
ital.

| To the Editor Of the Journal:
| The candidate before the National Republican
Convention in whom the people of Maine were
most interested, has been rejected by that Conven-
ton mot defeated), and ticket nominated which,
| if not what Maine desired, vet is highly accepta-
| bic by those ever loyal to the interests Of the
whole republican party. The country may con-
graduate itself on having so excellent ticket
placed before it for its sanction.
| Speaking for the republicans at Washington, l
| an sure express the opinion Of nne-tenths of
them when say that their first choice was Blaine.
This was evident in all the club meetings, social
gatherings or other assemblies of men of that
party; and on the nominating day Of the conven-
| ton one could see that the eager crowds were
almost a unit for Blaine. When, late in the day.
| Mr.. Blaine rode around to several places where
news was being received, continuous cheers and
| shouts manifested his presence. The announce
ment Of the last ballot cast depression over the
multitude, and it was some time before that spirit
| of loyal acceptance Of the result which should
govern in such a case, gained the ascendancy.
Evidently the young and aggressive portion of the
republican party was heart and soul enlisted for
Blaine.
The feeling here amongst that class is still Bit
| ter towards those engineering against him, espec-
| tally Conklng. But they will initiate the exam
pie of this great Warwick of the party and strive
with might and main to elect Hayes, hoping and
believing that in the coming years they will again
have an opportunity to battle for Blaine in the
same cause and with successful result.
Fate, up to the present time, seems to deter
mine that our greatest public men can never be :
come Presidents of the United States; but this
| fresh and vigorous element 10 the republican party
assert that they will in the future, oveiturn this
theory by electing the great leader who has tenn
porariIy been set aside. With this comforting
feeling, they enter the canvass for Hayes. "Baine
is to-day as much the leader of the republican
party as ever" This assertion is heard on every
hand and it is true.
The letter of Mr.. Blaine to Gov. Hayes ELECTS
praise from every lip, and the response from the
Governor shows his warm appreciation OF the &C.
ton of the former. Mr.. Blaine will at once, Tor
a, soon as health and legislative duties permlt)
enter into the political canvass, and predict that
his wonderful energy, marvellous physical endur-
ance and fascinating magnetism. together with
/
weigh. wherever he goes, and do more to secure
victory than the thousands of political documents
scattered, which appeal more to the head, while
he appeals to head and heart equally. God bless
| him in his efforts and crown those efforts with
success. Already, as l write is his work begun.
He is ann ounced to speak to an immense ratifca-
ton meeting which takes place tonight in this
| city.
The man most abused and villifed both in the
camps of his friends and enemies stands firm and
erect in the coming struggle ready to do yeoman
service hisrvsl and the republican party knows
that its success most largely depends on his I'M
wearied and mastery efforts In spite of enemies,
rivals and the elements even, James G. Blaine
is to- day the giant in this contest-the head and
front of the column marching On to victory.
1t is predicted that Mr.. Blaine could, in the
event of a republican success, take any place in
Hayes gift. That may be true; but, with Mr..
Baine's activity and capacity, we could i'll afford
20 bury his talents in the Cabinet or by sending
him abroad.
lie was born for leader Of the hosts and in the
to be ruler. Let him work and wait. He will
yet be victorious. E. j. B.
Washington, June 20. 1876.
4 few words from massachusetts
Man.
BoSToN, MASS, June 20, 1876.
To the Editor cfMs Journal:
The National Republican Convention has been
held and the candidates nominated. In it Massa-
chusets bore q conspicuous part, and her debating
society have returned from the scene Of their la
bors, but not to receive very fattering reception
from those that sent them there. To Massachu-
sets and to the Massachusetts delegation can be
justly charged the defeat of Mr.. Blaine, for had
they reflected the will of the republicans of this
State, Mr.. Blaine would have received the vote of
the Massachusetts delegation. OF this there is not
the least doubt.
The question then will naturally arise why
should Massachusetts, be hostile to Mr.. Blaine, -
not the people but the leading men. There were
many causes which conspired to bring about the
state of things which existed. First and foremost
of all, it is well known that there is malignant
and contemplate jealousy of Maine and her states
men existing in this State, and it is not of recent
origin, but dates back into the past for many
years. You all remember how in 1864 Massachu
sets broke away from the rest Of New England
in the national convention, and by thus doing gave
us Andrew johnson and all the direful woes at
| ttnulDy MS aumlnlStTStlOu. us Ietilug WAS us
cernble here when Maine sent VIM. Pitt Fessen-
den to the Senate, arising from the acknowledged
fact which one contradicts, that since the days
of Daniel Webster, New England has not had in
the United States senate so able . debater and
legislator IS Fessenden, and to-day they do not
dare deny that James &. Blaine stands head and
shoulders above any other New England man in
the councils of the nation; and because they have
no man his equal, they manifest their spite. The
great mass of the people were so strongly in favor
| of Mr. Blaine before the State Convention that it
was not supposed that there would be but little if
| any opposition to him, though it had been known
| that the arstocrats of Beacon Hill and the slums
| of the North End were hostile TO him. and that
the organization of the Bristow Club was the out
growth of this feeling. and this club was organ
| lied ostensby and expressly to defeat Mr..
Blaine, though not publicly expressed yet pr-
| vately understood, and many of the lead
| ing republican papers as sort Of deception
upon the people, and to lull the unwary to rest,
said that there was and should not be any conflict
between the friends of Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Bris-
tow. They held the word of promise to the ear but
broke it to the heart. We thought that when the
| Senate rejected the nomination of MIR. Dana, that
. great wrong had been done New England and
| the nation, and the independent press Of Massa-
chusetts boldly proclaimed that the Cincinnati
Convention should select Mr.. Dana as its presid-
| ing officer, that in all the coming years it
night float down the pages of history as a stand