Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-23
From the Bangor Wing and Courier.
The Democratic Candidate for
Governor.

Governor.
As was correctly anticipated, the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Williams by the democrats
of Maine has fallen very fiat Indeed any
one acquainted with Maine politics could
see from the beginning that after the first
gush of congratulations the party would
find that in nominating Mr.. Williams they
had on their hands very large political
elephant. For in fact, Mr.. Williams, in
his mode of life. in his personal charac
teristics. and austere bearing, in his past
record, and in his general political views,
is precisely the converse of what demo-
crat of the Maine species would naturally
"hanker for" A few of the incongruities
may be briefly summed up for the ediiica-
ton and delight of our democratic friends.
/. If there be, in bearing, in spirit, IN
manner, in habit, a Thoroughbred, ex-
elusive, unvarying, unbending aristocral
in Maine, Mr. Williams is that man. In
the language of Parson Brownlow she
completely fills the BILL" Daring his en-
tire life he has never done a days work.
He has lived upon large Inherited for
tune, continually growing larger by Mr..
Williams close and prudent management
and never suffering the slightest diminu-
ton by even sporadic cases OF benevo-
lence.
2. The democrats OF Maine have made
themselves hoarse with denunciatons OF
"bloated bondholders," regarding no cpl
tibet too coarse, no characterization too
severe for them. 1t is undoubtedly true
that Mr. Williams. is one of the largest
holders of Government bonds in Maine,
and that he has thus escaped taxation on
alarge amount of property. We are find
ing no fault with him. We are only won
dering at the sudden admiration Of the
democrats for candidate of this charac-
ter.
3. The National banks have for years
been mathematical by the Maine demo-
Gratis their papers denounce them, their
orators howl at them, their masses have
been taught to despise and hate them. Mr..
Williams is President of the largest Ma
tional bank in the kennebec Valley, is a
large holder of National bank stock, and
has pocketed large profit within the last
fifteen years from the commercial paper
of Maine voters discounted at the moder.
ate rate of from eight to twelve per cent
A. If there is anything the averag,
democratic heart yearns for, it is familiar
ity with its leaders, easy access to it!
champions and standard bearers. 1t wa!
that which made Douglas an idol in tn,
nation and made Gen. Roberts so popular
a candidate in Maine. With Mr.. Williams
precisely the reverse is the case. Out o
the sixty thousand democrats of Maine
not three hundred know Mr.. Williams by
sight; not one hundred have speaking
acquaintance with him; not twenty five
ever crossed his threshold not a half
dozen ever received the slightest token O
hospitality from him in his elegant resi-
dence, or even passed the outer gate to biz
beautiful grounds. 90 the principle o
natural selection Mr. Williams is abou
as fit representative of the democracy O
Maine as the Gar of Russia would be 70
President of Chartist meeting in London
And now, with all these points, preju
dice among the rank aud file 615e-de
mocracy, Mr.. Williams singularfy ehougl
finds himself in a position to repel tn,
thoughtful and conservative members O
that party. He stands upon a platform
which declares President Hayes election
to be the "H10S nlOnstrous political frau
recorded in history;' platform which
omits all reference to the great financia
issue OF the day, which is perfectly silen
a. to the "free ship" question SO vital,
important to Maine; a platform which, il
short, offers to settle nothing, but to nn
settle everything, and to imperil all priu
ciples of law and order by raising the is
sue of fraud upon the legitimate constitu
iional government Of the country.