Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-05-30

which introduced it at this Juncture. He consd-
cred the time exceedingly nopportune to bring
this subject before the minds of the people. lie
took a national stand on this question. aud dis
cussed 1t from national, social aud phiian-
thropic peint Of view. lie thought 1t would be
highly iuudicious to stir up spirit of dlscontent
for which. no doubt, there were ample reasons,
at time when there some hope of the coun-
trv recovering fiom ITS state of depression and
entering path of prosperity.
The Potter resolution had a tendency to check
this prosperous movement In the land, and it
mig hit be great CALAMITY to the nation.
Mr.. Weed said The country has passed
through a great and unprecedented crisis, and
the people have borne 1t with remarkable patience
Their capacity of endurance has been stretched
TO the utmost tension. There is now some hope
of a revival in business II anything should come
to destroy or dlsappoint this hope | should not be
willing TO guarantee that the patience OF the peo-
pie would bear this extra pressure, and think it
would be highly njudicous, probably dangerous.
to make the experiment OF putting them to tins
test.
"rhe Investigation will necessarily produce
stsgnatIon in business, and probably cause
greater pane than any yet experienced. This
will bring tue CommunIstic and labor elements
to the front. Their grievances will then assume
an individually tangible form. l know large
number of lsooring men, wiling TO work, who
have beeH on the brink OF starvation for long
time. If there is further stagnation III business
and men who are willing to work fol their bread
are not going to stsrve in n land of plenty. Ii
cannot be expected, and the result will Oe revo-
luton for bread, aud consequent anarchy. /
even believe that matters have now gone so far
that it will be difficult to avoid sucn catastrophe
And this briggs me- continued Mr.. Weed,
"lo the que ,tion OF the chances OF Grants renom-
iuation rs tue Chief Executive. | think in such
a crisis, though, as everybody knows, was op-
posed strongly - Grant, he would be strong
candidate--so strong that he would be pretty sure
of the republican nomination for the Presidency
"What do YOU think of the chances of his elec-
ton :" quercd the epofer.
"Ah, now, my dear fellow, said Mr.. Weed {.
'you open up one of the widest questions that
could possibly be presented tor consideration. lu
a condition of anarchy such as / have forecast,
there is no knowing what would be the result, OF
who may come to the front rs leader. Ii Is
not improb able that in such a crisis the very
worst man IN the community may assume the
leadership. | hope not, however, but | am
simply reasoning on probable results in the event
of such a crisis which | believe will come, and
which think is almost inevitable.
at Is a dangerous time, he added "about the
most dangerous that could have been selected foi
spch movement As that to which the resolutions
may lead. Ii is one OF the worst frcbrsuds that
has ever been thrown ia the midst of discon-
te nted people, and may produce a conhagraiiou
that 1t will be difficult TO queOch. My pr,ncipsl
objections to Mr.. Poter's movement, wish it to
be distinctly understood, have not their origin in,
nor any connection with, politics. My solleitud.
is for the public safety, which beh,v see me
uaced at the present time. The political consider
alton is secondary to the greater one OF human
ty. have seen a great deal of suffering among
the working classes, and think the best policy
for the Govelume in the present crisis wouiu
be to Try and relieve the masses, instead oi giving
their attention to political schemlng.