Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-24
DAILY Arnnrbct yournaI
AUG u STA,
Monday Morning, September "a, 1877.
Losing Ground.o

In recent number of the sold Colony
Memorial, 4" published at Plymouth, Mass,
in abiding to the victory in Maine, the
editor of that paper goes out OF has way
to state that "Mr Blaine has lost ground
UNNECESSARILY since his demonstration al
the Augusta convention, and will never
again stand in Maine as he has in pas
time"
In this weeks Memorial appears an able
reply to the above quotation, vii tten by
one OF the ablest writers in KennebeC
county, which~has the effect TO bring re-
grets from the editor at the misrepresenta-
ton embodied in his previous and hastily
written paragraph. The writer to whom
we alluded says,sT8f 1t I'D
Powerful as Mr.. Blaine has been, for the last
twenty-five years, in securing the unity and as
tendency OF his party, there never was a day
when he stood higher and enjoyed more the con
hdence and respect OF the Tree voters Oh Maine III
every county of it than he does this day. 10y un-
versal consent, it has from the first, been ac-
knowledged on all sides that the unoroken union
and triumphs of the republican masses from year
TO year. in every State election, are owing TO his
wonderful power organizer, and to his PIE
eminent executive ability. The last election Is as
good proof of this any that has preceded It,
Notwithstanding the more than ordinary obstacles
to overcome this year, Mr.. Blaine, as Chairman
of the State Committee aud as the Acknowledged
leader If his party, has been able to keep The Or
ganization in tact, and secure It's triumph by ma
jority greater by thousands than it achieved its
victory on any off year preceding
The writer was present at the State
convention, and describes how Mr.. Blaine
.'lost ground" Governor Chamberlain's
resolution had been introduced, emphat-
icaliy approving of the Presidents South
ern policy. as had also the resolution of
Capt. Boutelle, emphatically condemning
"Herc were then the two warm cross fires that
threatened to divide the party and defeat
its success at the polls In this state of things,
'Blaine!' 'Blainer was called fiom all parts OF
the house. On appearing upon the platform he
was greeted with perfect storm OF welcome
Amidst the vociferous cheers, which were pro-
longed, he stood calmly reviewing the
field, till his voice Gained the assembly -
breathless silence. He not as the advocate Of
either resolution. He appeared as tue counsel
lor for peace. Union and harmony were indis-
pensahle to success, but with iirebfands thrown IN
the midst, it clear this object could not be OBJ
taned. He did not stand there to take this occa-
sion to express he approval or disapproval OF
Hayes Southern policy. lie doubted not the hon
esty or patriotism of President Chamberlain OF
Captain Bonielle; but if we gong into the
election determined to keep the ascendency OF the
republican party at the polls, we must sacrifice
something each 10 The Other, and move shoulder to
shoulder to the polls. This auvlce, like oil poured
on tronbled waters, produced instant quiet. and
his motion to lay both those resolutions upon tile
table was unanimously adopted. Thus, by his
timely efforts, the harmony of the party was as
sured, and thus he was enabled at midnight after
the election, to telegraph the result to Washing
ton, recording the twenty-second consecutive
triumph OF the party he has so long and so sue
cessfplly led ia Maine. l leave 1t now for you
and Sodr readers to say how or wherein Mr.
Blsine's action in the Augusta Convention was a
mistake - tstf