The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-08-16
FOR GOVERNOR,
JOSEPH H. WILLIAMS
The Democratic Convention.
OF AUGUSTA

Inc DemOcratlc convention.
The Convention that assembled at Port
land on Tuesday did excellent work. II
was the universal remark that seldom, il
ever, had Convention come together Sc
largely made up Of the solid, substantial
reliable men of the Democratic party
They gave the decided impression that
they were there for the performance Of q
duty, and meaning that nothing should
interfere Herewith.
The platform, as adopted, is brief
strong and:unassailable. There is point
ed warning that fraud must not again at
tempt to wrench aside the popular YER
dict and seize the Presidency. The justice
Of the compliment to the present nation
al administration, for its reversal of the
policy of military interference, as estab-
lished by the Grant administration, will
be generally conceded a need Of praise
as fully deserved as it is gracefully ten
dered.
The question of inserting an anti-prO-
hibition clause in the platform was dis
posed of in y manner that ought to be
satisfactory to all. 1t certainly was so to
those who opposed such declaration, fol-
the vote in the committee on resolutions
was six to one in the negative. And
when the Convention itself voted quite
as strongly in the same direction, against
the adoption of Mr.. Emery's minority re-
port, the advocates of war on prohibition
must have become satisfied that there
was no hope for their cause. The speech
Of Mr.. RawsOn in favor Of the amend
ment was a strong one, and all the more
forcible for its good nature--but it failed
to convince. Mr.. Mason of Auburn, rep
rescnting the Reformers of the Demo-
cratic party, opposed the amendment, in
Il brief speech which commended itself to
the great majority Of the Convention, and
called out the heartiest applause. And
when the proposed amendment was final
" disposed of by u negative vote. the
Convention breathed freer, as though the
great danger of the delibcration had been
passed.
The question Of a nominee for Governor
was to some degree delicate and embar-
RAISING one. The claim of Mr.. Talbot to
a second nomination was largely acknowl-
edged - but it was confessed, even by
many of his friends, that he was weighted
by an undefnable something which would
not command the full party vote-much
less win recruits. The convention largely
inclined to General S. j. Anderson but
he would not hear to it while Mr. Talbot
was in the field. AS will be seen, the
choice of the Convention finally fell upon
Hon. Joseph II. Williams, of Augusta. 1t
could not have been given to Il worthieI
candidate. He is son of the late Hon.
Ruel William, s-a and is Il gentleman of
unsullicd purity of great ability, and OF
that breadth of view and strength of
character which have universal recogni-
ton among men, as belonging to one fit
to adorn high stations. AS a representa-
tive of the party he can be pointed to
with pride. No calumny can assail, or
rldicule disparage him. And in casting
their sut1rages for Mr.. Williams, the Dem
ocrats of Maine will support man who
honors their choice and the state Of his
birth. During the troubles pertaining to
and following our late war, Mr.. Williams
has not always acted with the Democratic
party, but he gave his cordial support to
Mr. Tiden, and is now in full sympathy
with the Democracy. He is Of that class
of recruits that the party desire and in
Vltc.