Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-25
Poor Joseph IL. Williams.


The democratic candidate for Governor,
Mr.. Joseph II. Williams, is plunged in
AN abyss of woe by the events which have
followed his nomination. One week ago
he stood as he supposed in very exalted
position in the democratic party. He had
mounted up as with the wings OF an eagle.
He had overihrown John &. Talbot and
his famous war horse lie had secured
the nomination for Governor and was hap
py; Tor Chairman Pillsbury had told him
and made him believe that the democrats
to d man would support his nomination,
and that at least ten thousand republicans
were hankering dreadiully to vote for him.
OF course if Chairman Pillsbury was cor
rect in his great and profound calculations
there could be no doubt that the name OF
the next Governor Of Maine would be
Williams. And 50 Mr. Williams was hap
py, and Chairman Pillsbury was happy too
as he thought how neatly his strategy was
working.
But what change has come ever the
political fortunes of Mr. Williams in a
single week lie has plunged from hap
ness into despair His foot no longer
rests on the mountain top. lie is going
down, down among the dead men for
whom there is no political resurrection
He now enyies Talbot and his horse, for
he at least got the support of the party
which nominated him and Williams will
not get even that. 1t was plain before his
letter of acceptance appeared, that there
was widespread dissatisfaction with his
nomination, and that it had fallen like "a wet
blanket upon the hopes of the most saga
gacious and most devoted men Of the DEM
ocratic party but since the publication OF
his letter the breeze against him has in
creased to storm threatening him with
violent and sudden destruction. Our
readers will see by the following from
the Bangor Commercial OF Thursday even
ing what a predicament Williams is In.
He will be the worst beaten candidate for
Governor that has been before the people |
of Maine since John w. Dana. In regard |
TO his remarks in his letter upon the second
resolve of the democratic platform, the
one alleging fraud in the election OF Presi- |
dent Hayes, the Commercial says;
Mr.. Williams Interpretation Of the language Of
that resolution is without warrant or justification,
10 characterize it by no harsh err terms, and is
insult to the well-known and declared sentiments |
not only Of the convention, but of the united de-
mocracy Of Maine What excu Sc, what palliation
has Mr.. Williams to offer for his assertion that he
nowhere finds in that second resolution "any i'm
parchment of the Presidents title to the high of
ice which he occupiesi" What Justification can
he present for understanding the fraud charged as
referring only 10 the transaction Of Returning
Boards, and not to the black and damning crime
Of the Electoral Commission;
Could language be more plain, unequivocal and
direct than the terms Of that resolution Marx
the expression; The REVERSAL of the YER
dict of the American people, &c, was the most
monstrous political fraud recorded in history :"
Who reversed that verdict of the American peo-
plei Was il the miserable and plant tools o.
party in Louisiana and Florida or was it the TO
Z Of the Electoral Commission We have no pa
thence with this attempt Of Mr.. Williams to tlhe
with the plain and direct language of that resolu-
ton. in order that he may find Iitable excuse
for pronouncipg Mr.. Hayes tide to the Presiden
cy valid. and that he may interpose shield be-
tween the fraud Of the majority of the Electoral
Commission aud the just Indignation Of the great
majority of the American people. That attempt
would be worthy the nick Of p,ttilogger in a
police court.
What can be Mr.. Williams moi;ee 10 thus falsi-
flying the spirit and letter Of the resolution Of the
Maine democracy-a resolution that expresses the
sentiment and feeling Of every one Of the more
than 4, 300 600 democrats throughout this broad
Union who voted for Tilden and Hendricks
WHY should he desire to represent the demo
Gratis of Maine as proelaiming in solemn resolu.
ton that Rutherford b. Hayes title to the Presi
deucy is cqYdP and that the Electoral Commits
sion could not "go beyond the range Of their Ju-
rlsdiction to judicially determine" whom the PEG
pie had chosen for their President.
Mr.. Williams knows little Of the temper OF the
democracy Of Maine, If be thinks that any specia
pleading Of his can induce them to look compls-
Gently on the direct authors Of the "most mon