Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-12-24
IA open Question.

ia open Question.
There seems 10 be no escape from the
position into which our Republican Sens-
tors have been forced by The peculiar
vote cast in September. They must seize;
q Governor from among the minority
candidates. In making this choice they
should no, DE controlled by personai sd
lici,ation. nor by theirow views OF party
good. alone. They should seek to KNOW
the xill of those who chose thsm as Tep-
resentstiyes. As, At the present time,
no expression Of popular sentiment Car
be given by ballot, II must DC sought Tor
elsewhere. Il can only iud expression
through the press. As the matter IS 70
be settled by Republicans. they mus, looS
20 their party organs for direction. II i
the duty OF Republican edrorsto express
through their papers, the wishes OF nc
people, IS they are ascertained by reports
from various sections OF their respective
Districts. II This is not done, our Sens
tors will be adrili, sHd mus, De more or
less moved by those who make machln,
politics profession.
Two weeks ago. after due inquiry, We
published so article upOl his question
and therein gave the result OF our re-
search. From The number Of commend
atOry notes and remarks which the artice
has drawn forth. We sre satisfied that tae
views OF Oxford County Republicans
were not misinterpretea In TACT. We
have not yet received single adverse
opinion from citizen Of Oxford County.
10 other sections OF the State we learn
that Smith is preferred 10 Garcelon, and
the views OF such were published oy Us,
last week. By these men It Is claimed
tha. Garcelou Is . grester traitor 10 the
Republican party thsn Is Smith. because
he deserted when the issues OF the war
were unsettled. II We hsd fought the
last campaign on var issues, this fact
would have great weight But that wa'
not me case. For two years previous. It
had been argued. and that too, by Re
publicans. thst those issues were dead.
There was call fer some live issue,
something bat would interss. snd excite
the people. We had Just such 81 issue
presented in our platforms last summers
and the challenge 20 discuss it, instead OF
the old question OF human rights, was
accepted by Republicans, partially on ac-
count of this demand for g new issue
We were beaten on that field, and now
many OF those who called tor new issue
have suddenly discovered that the Old
leaders were right in adhering 10 q1es-
lions growing out of the rebellion They
think, a. does our CORE p0udent, that toe
money question is a dead issue, and that
we must 90 back to the past. 10 that,
they are mistaken, at least, SO tar as this
section is concerned. Tue GreenOack
party IS not dead here. Il Is tboroughiJ
organized. and. IN many towns, viii be-
gin lis campaign st the spring municipal
elections. Green hackers will no; allow
rs TO 20 back 70 old issues. Resumption
does not fully settle the question, and We
must. at least, oace more, in this section,
meet the advocates Of al irredeemaOle
paper currency. For this reason, Garce-
Ions revolt Is OF less PrsSeR, importance
than is tha. OF Smith.
Bot as We have stated before, the
personal views OF either candidate should
not turn the scale Of decision. Few re-
uublicaus desire 70 see Garcelon elected
governor. They have fought him and
his party for too many years 70 have any
sympathy for them, IS they now stand in
a hopeless minority. IL seems policy, TO
rs. however, while three parties are in
the field. 70 give what must DC given, to
the weakest party.
Il has been noted, Oy students OF Po-
litical history, that the great mass OF
people who adhere with no great tensci;y
10 any party, Is subject 70 sudden charges
of sentiment. and frequently swings from
side 10 side with overwhelming force. II
sssis0 been noted that these changes
are invariably made to and fcom ex-
tremes. A. present the people OF Maine
are res.ive under Republican rnie, from
no other reason than this. that they are
tired Of supporting the same men. They
have therefore begun the great work OF
aiding away from old associates and con-
nee ions. The sooner they reach the ex-