Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-07-11

OF interest to our readers. Ii appears to be
dispassionate statement of facts. aud
shows clearly the character OF the control
ing element in the convention.
The attendance upon the congressional
convention la this city, Tuesday, was limi-
ted TO this and Knox counties aud few
towns In Hancock county. mostly those
where stone-cutfers and miners reside or
are employed. There WAS no representa-
ton from Washington county except c. X.
Whedden, Esq. of the Calais Times. The
convention WAS mainly controlled by the
lAboring or stone-cutling element OF the
greenback party whose unions extend
through many OF our shore towns.
As soon as the organization was affected
Mr.. Campbell. of Rockland, took the
| floor and made very violent speech. His
/ argument. in effect was bread or blood.
| He depicted the want and suffering of the
laborng classes In the most distressing
colors. His argument was substantially
that which has been advanced by the Cam
den uerald-that unless the condition OF
the laooring men OF the country was made
better they would be justified In appealing
to force. He bitterly denounced the action
1 OF Congress refusing TO reduce the army,
cAaracterizing IL as menace TO the suffer
/ ing laboring people. In regard To nomina-
lions he declared with great vehemeuce
against the nomination of anv man for
office who had been prominently identified
with the old parties, and advocated the
/ nomination only OF those in the ranks of the
workngmen.
! Mr.. Campbell was followed by Joseph
W. knowlion, Esq, OF Liberty. who seem
ed determined TO 20 one better. He sllud-
| ed TO certain contributions to a paper. some
| ten or twelve years ago, In regard 10 tax
ing bonds to show that he was the pioneer
4 of the greenhack party In this county. IL
is surprising how many pioneers there are.
| He then proceeded 10 denounce the action
of past Congresses In the most bitter terms.
And the convention listened with surprise
to bis declaration that the republican plat
( form was erected upon bayoDets. and that
I the greenback party was resolved 10 pull IL
down. We must condemn such utterances
as those, not less than those of the previous
/ speaker. We cannot afford 10 do Injustice
to any party. The republican party has.
in our view, taken wrong position in re-
gard to the currency question, and we can
not support IL; but 10 represent il as at
tempting to establish bayonet rule In this
country, Is most unjust and outrageous.
If Bro. knowlton's object was to secure
the nomination he certainly fell very far
short OF it.
When the question OF nomination OF a
candidate was in order. a Rockland dele
gate presented Murch's name as the candi-
date OF the stone cutters Union which Il
was represented numbered two thousand
members in the district, and the threat was
made that they would not support the
| ticAe unless their candidate received the
| nomination. This produced considerable
commotion. Mr.. Murch subsequently re-
publ ated the threat. and declared they
would support whotheyer was nominated,
but this was only amer IL became apparent
that he would receive the nomination. The
determination OF his supporters was openly
ayowed both in and out Of the convention
not to support any other candidate II NOM
mated, Their conduct throughout WAS
most boisterous and disorderly, and II was
impossible for the chairman to preserve
order
Now al the risk OF saying what may sp-
pear unbecomiug in Us, the future welfare
Of the greenback party OF this State lmpels
US 10 condemn the sentiments advanced by
the speakers and which were Violently ap-
plaudcd, presenting the alternative OF force
aud violence unless the policy demanded
was acceded TO. The question before the
country l. whether We shall return to q
specie basis. Ii must DC discussed like all
other public questions upon it, merits.
There Is an abundance of strong, sober ar
guments against such policy; aud iniiam-
mstory hsrrangues and appeals TO the base
passions OF ignorant men by speakers who
do not comprehend the question at issue,
are calculated 10 bring swirl defeat to the
cause.
Toward Mr.. Murch. the nominee, we
have none hut friendly feelings. Aud We
I should be pleased 10 present him 10 the in
telligeut voters of eur district as a suftahle
candidate to represent them, did not his
own speech made in accepting the nomina-
fion show that he Is unsuitable. lie said
mat II had been undsr.rs..,.i thai he uas 81
I educated man. when il was the reverse.
lie had never seen the inside OF school
house since he was sixteen years old that
he was not a speaker. and a. for property
he was not worth dollar. Now with such
testimony a. this coming from himself. il
IL Il question TO be determined BY the peo-
pie of the district whether he would be Il
tit representative 10 represent one of the
most important representative districts ia
the Union. IL was singular speech; g
man Boosting OF his lack OF acquired abll-
ity, and OF his having lived over forty years
| without acquiring, or saving a dollar
Whatever may be thought OF his confessed
lack OF acquired ability. or his u.suitz BILE
ness TO take care of the money OF the peo-
pie, having never earned, or, at least taken
care OF his own. he certainly deserves
credit for candor. But We fear that while
bis boasted lack of fitness may make him
popular with the stone cutters. IL will have
an unfayoraole effect with the rest OF the
people OF the district. even were il not no
torlous rs it Is. tina; he las been the head
} centre OF all strikes and troubles which
have occurred on the granite Islands"