The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-31
The Great Convention.

terday was notable assembly in many ways.
On an off year-so far as state politics is
concerned-wth no contest for the guber-
Material nomination to attract the friends and
supporters of contestants, there came together
as fine concourse of representative citizens
of Maine as ever assembled within her bor-
ders. From all sections, near and remote,
came men of the highest character and stand
ing TO take counsel with each other about
affairs of the highest moment to the body
polite. There was remarkable spirit of
earnestness manifest throughout and sturdy
conviction that the maintenance of Republ-
can principles in their purity is essential to
the we'll being of the nation and its indyid-
ual citizens.
The foremost thought in every mind was
the currency question, and that thought was
an honest, a manly and a sensible one. The
danger threatened by the wild theories of the
Greenbackers ard the paltering and incon-
sistent attitude of the Democrats had i'm
pressed everybody, and spirit of resist
ance to the menace controlled the Con-
vention. No declaration short of a full,
explicit and unequivocal expression in
favor of honest money would have found
moments favor there, and the platform but
voices the unanimous feeling of that great
body of sincere and earnest men.
The work of the Convention was complete
and satisfactory at all points. The platform
is one which invites all thoughtful and
patriotic men to its support and will bear the
test of criticism and defy attack. OF course
the finance plank is the gist of the matter,
but the other parts are all admirable as de-
clarations of Republican principles such as
are befitting for Maine, the Drigo state, to
make. 1t is platform not of compromise or
expediency but of principle, which is the
highest expediency, indeed, where Republi-
cans are concerned. 1t is good platform
and one on which we can all stand with open
faces and heads erect. We invite all to a
careful reading of this document which will
be found elsewhere.
The nomination of candidate for Govern
or was of piece with the rest of the conven-
tion's work good, wholesome and helpful.
Gov. Connor is the Bayard of our polittcs-a
knight without fear and without reproach.
He is right minded on all questions, in full
accord with the Republicans of Maine, gen.
uine believer in all good things, direct, man
ly, sensible, sincere and upright. He has
been a good Governor for three years-he
will be good Governor for another year.
The commonwealth will be well served and
the people may well have pride and satisfac-
tion in their Chief Magistrate.
The speeches were all in keeping with the
spirit of the occasion and will well repay a
careful perusal. Gov. Woodford is an old
time favorite with Maine Republicans and al
ways says wise, sound and progressive things
in a stirring and eloquent fashion. May his
shadow never be less and may he often come
to us.
The convention was a great success It
opens the campaign in way that ensures
victory. The delegates will go to their sew
eral homes with the outpouring of the spirit
fresh upon them-a spirit which is conta-
gious and will produce good works in all di-
rections. No man could look upon that hall
full of earnest, thoughtful, intelligent faces
without feeling his soul uplifted and without
attaining the full conviction that with such
men acting together for common purpose
the republic could suffer no detriment.
A DEFINITION of Democracy, not exactly
new but for the first time sanctioned by high
and friendly authority, was, according to the
Tribune, afforded by Alexander H. Stephens
the other day. The feeble condition of Mr..
Stephens justifies him in carrying about in
his pocket small bottle OF refreshing liquid,
said by competent authorities to be Bourbon
whiskey. When his talking begins to weary
him he draws forth the bottle and drinks like
man, in the presence of his audience, On
the occasion alluded to, he had been indulg-
ing in his favorite oratorical flight on the
principles of the immortal Jefferson. As he
closed, he produced the bottle, took a reviv-
ing draught, and, as he returned it to his
pocket, said, eyes, fellow citizens, this is true
democracy" 1t was the most popular sentl-
-,