Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-05-23
Not in the Market.

That great political PARTS under timor-
Gus and time-serving leadership have failed
10 meet squarely great issues is too true.
Party success and the fruits thereof have
too frequently been placed before the set
tlement of important public questions. Out
of this party cowardice there has grown a
feeling that The convictions of public men
or those who are ambitions for public pre-
ferment. are of such pliable nature that
they can be put of or on. or modified To
insure the success of the individual. There
are thousands OF instance, in this country
where men have been for years the promt-
DeDt advocates Of one set OF political prin-
ciples, and have fsiiea away from them aud
gradually approached opposing ideas. until
at length they become the advocates Of
theories at war with those they first held.
In some instances such changes of senti-
inent have been sincere. but ihe-e revolu-
lions OF opinion have been 80 frequently
connected with the failure Of parties 10 rec
oguize the merits OF The men who .xper-
fence such changes. that thev are auribui-
ed 20 selfish motives. Moreover, the fact
that there i a class OF PROBES ional po'iti-
clans. or perhaps more strictly speaking.
Oflice-seekers. Who have the facility OF
adapting themselves 10 any set OF opinions
or action which will give them place. at
the public crib. has led the public to believe
that the number OF such j. much larger
than Il really i.
II is evident that the Greenbsck leaders
ia the Eastern States are counting very
much upon the strength they will gain
through the accession OF men who ALWAYS
make their sentiments accord with their in
terests and OF those who are angry with
existing parties aud who are ready TO sur
render honest convictions or to declare a
sudden change of sentiment in order To Sc
cure the position in the Greenback organi-
zation they were denied in other party as
sociatsons. Such a man. they assume. i
not recognized a. he should be BY his party
why not ask him to join us and take a
nomination. He would bring host OF re-
cruits and would give character 10 the
movement.
The record of the Democratic party since
the war on the financial question has been
such "a to encourage the Greenbsck Lead
ers that many Democratic mArnstes in the
Eastern States Will be willing to take on
imitation sentiments TO gain elections
through Greenback votes. Consequently.
no one Is surprised 10 learn that Democrat
ic leaders who declared for currency
based upon specie are now accustoming
themselves TO fiat money heresies. With
this class OF politicians there are no such
things as convictions.
But these Greenback managers will
make a mistake If they calculate that a
very large class OF men prominently iden-
titled with the Republican party will swal-
| low their convictions in exchange tor
Greeuback favors. In Maine the Green
| back managers have assumed 10 mention
the name of Ex-Governor Chamberlain
now President OF Bowdoin College In con-
nection with their party candidacy tor
Governor. Governor Chamberlain has al
ways been q hard money advocate as the
most OF them well kHow-do they expect
| be will siifle his honest convictions and
stultiiy himself by leading the party that
/ declares against sound currency? II
they do, they count without their host. Ia
New Hampshire a Greenbscker made haste
to announce recently that General Gilman
! Marsion, tried and honored Republican.
holding 10 all the recent dcclars atoms of
that parry. was about 10 come out with
Greeuback letter. Doubtless the
4 managers OF that faction demand
that he would be so allurai by
the prominence such step would give
him In the new party that he could not re-
sist the temptation. The Bangor Me
| Commercial, recently a Bourbon Demo
cratic paper. but now partially committed
10 the Greenback movement. intimatcs
that General II. NJ. Plaisted OF Bangor, a
well kLowg and prominent Republican. i
talked Of as the Greenback candidate for
Governor, and adds that II he would take
the nomination he would secure half the
Republican votes in Penobscot county. A.
Il Congressman. General Plaisted voted for
every measure looking to a return TO a spe-
Gle basis. lie has advocated that idea for
years. Does the Commercial or any other
Greenback manager suppose thst such q
man will yield his convictions 10 secure
the leadership Of party devoted 10 finan-
cisl heresies which he has always OPP
posed:
These elated Greenback managers will
learn In time that great many more men
who are prominent in the Republican par
ty, 10 say the least, have convictions upon
the question of a sound currency which
they will not surrender to gain prominence
in their wild movement Boston Jour
nal.