St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-09-07
Letter from Maine.
AUGUSTA, Aug. 30, 1877.

the crowds that came hither to attend
was on a beautiful interval on the
southwest side of the city, between the
State House and river. The grounds
are bordered with elms and other fine
shade trees. The soldiers came in Mon
day morning and staid through the
week. The encampment consists of the
First Maine regiment of volunteer mill
tia, three unattached companies, not
provided for by law, four companies of
cadets and the Auburn Light Artillery.
Gen. Chamberlain was in command.
The program for each day just filed up
the time. The reveille sounded at six
A. NJ. surgeons call at 6:3O; breakfast
at 7; First sergeant's call at 8, followed
by guard mounting from 9 to IL, bat
talon drill rest till noon and then din
ner. From 2 to P. NJ, company drills.
The dress parade was at 6 each day,
and was the occasion of great rush of
spectators to the grounds. The soldiers
were thoroughly drilled, and made a
fine display at this time. A band of 25
pieces from Portland, furnished music.
The evenings of the last days were
given to music, receptions and fire
works, and the occasion was enjoyed
both by soldiers and citizens.
THE PRESIDENT INVITED TO MAINE.
You have heard how the President
review the state troeps-and to break
bread with Senator Blaine. Governor
Connor's invitation was sincere and all
right. OF the invitation to Senator
Blaine's inequalities, different persons
have different opinions. To those who
remember Mr.. Blaine's move in Con-
gress Immediately after the Inaugural
ton, his recoiling gun at Bowen's In
dependence blowout, and his oil on
the waters his subordinates had dashed
into sort of tempest in a teapot at our
late State Convention, this tender of
hospitalities seems the checklist ma
neuver the great eX-Speaker has yet
executed. His friends see in it immense
magnanimity some of the Presidents
friends laugh at the absurdity of the
thing; others frOwn at its unblushing
eff ontery; all say, sit is just like
Blaine" Yet ] doubt if any one knows
the ''true inwardness" of it-that is,
whether it has any meaning beyond
what it signifies as sop to the Presi-
dents friends in the coming state cleo
ton; whether after that, peace or war,
is known only to the Senator, and he
may not yet have decided but it MAY
be by the time Congress meets difficult
to find an occasion for war.
STATE ELECTION.
The day is again drawing nigh, Sept.
10th, when the fate of the world will be
decided once more by the election of a
are Augusta men, both less given to
meddling with politics than candidates
usually are, both excellent men in their
way. Governor Conner is now about
thirty eight years of age, and is serving
his second term in the office. He en-
listed at the breaking out of the Re-
belliOn, went through the war, was so
badly wounded that two years after the
war closed his life was despaired of by
the breaking out afresh of the wound,
and will be lame while he lives. He is
as fine looking as any man | have seen
in the state, and as popular as any
Governor has been in long time.
The Republicans will cast a light vote,
probably, feeling perfectly sure of his
election. If there were any doubt of it,
the fact of the doubt would bring out
voters enough who will now stay at
home to bury Democrats and Green
hackers all in one grave. The Green
hackers are an uncertain quantity.
They are making desperate efforts, and
will get few thousand votes, drawn
from both the old parties.
Hon. Joseph II. Williams is little
rising of sixty. Is wealthy, cuts cou-
pons, and attends to his interest and
personal interests. He was president of
the Maine Senate when Mr.. Hamlin,
then Governor, was elected Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, with Mr..
Lincoln as chief, so Mr.. Williams filed
out the Governors term. He has acted
with the Republicans nearly or quite
twenty years, but voted for Mr.. Greeley
for President, and last fall went clear
over and voted for Tilden. The con-
ventiOn which nominated him for Gov
ernOT, denounced the election of Hayes
as a gigantic fraud that must not be
repeated but Mr.. Williams, in his let
ter Of acceptance roars very gently,
understanding the resolution to refer to
the Louisiana Returning Board and not
at all to the Electoral Commission, and
pronounces the election of the President
valid. He either has IA conscience, or
is angling for Republican votes but
either way, his letter brings down the
wrath of the Bourbons and is likely to
cost him twice as many votes as it will
win from our ranks. A straight Bour-
bon with stiff upper lip would have