New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-09
THE ELECTION IN MAINE TO-DAY.


been interesting to the people of other States
chiefly for the moral effect which it has been
expected to exert and, in fact has generally
exerted. upon the closer and more exciting
political contests to be decided in the sue
ceeding October and November. The struggle
there. almost ever since the Republicans
began to win victories anywhere, has been TO
hold the old majOritles, and very rarely mas
there been any question as to what the p0lltl-
cal complexion of those majonties should be.
Maine has hardly been a doubtful State
since the time when the Wings locked horns
with the more respectable Democracy OF their
day, and, in the words Of the old campaign
song, the State event hell-bent for Gov
"enor KENT The election which takes
place in Maine to-day is unquestonably
the most important that has occurred
in that State or in New-England for
many years. Aside from ITS encouraging
OF disheartening influence upon the canvass
in other parts Of the North, it Will be watched
with more than usual interest for the light it
is expected to shed upon the future OF the
Greenback movement in the Eastern States.
The growth of the sentiment in favor OF IN
fation and of a revolution in the settled imam
cial policy of the country, just at time when
! the evidences of its succ, IS are 40 remarkable
as TO challenge the admiration of some OF the
wisest statesmen of Europe, has been. like
J that of other false and dangerous doctrines
in politics and morals, insidious and unex-
pected. Long before the campaign opened in
| Maine, and before the leaders of public opin-
ion in either of the old parties had begun to
think much about the political issues OF the
4 fau pT ngV IN n
0led theories in finance had sOwn the seeds of
transformation broadcast in many counties
When Senator Blaine, who is the rec
ognzed leader of the Republican party
| in the State, went home ut the close
of the session of Congress to prepare for
the Summer canvass, he found that the field
had been substantially abandoned by the De-
mocracy, while in It's place stood formidable
force wearing the new uniform OF the Green
| back party and containing in its ranks many
men who had formerly been uncOmprOmising
| Republicans There was but one course for
! Senator Blaine and those associated with him
in the management OF the Republican party to
adOpt-and that was to accept the issue as
they found it already made up, and to rely
mon the effectiveness of sound arguments adj
dressed TO an intelligent and cOnscientously
honest people. Defeat after such a canvass,
they rightly conceived, would be more honor
able and would leave the Republican party in
better condition to win victories in the future
than success secured by surrender of prin-
ciple,
We have such faith in the honesty and
good sense of the people of Maine, and in the
efficacy of earnest and intelligent discussion to
insure the success of the Republicans, that
we hope for a favorable result of tO-day's
election. Although Governor Connor's majority
may not be large, yet of his success the Re-
publicans of Maine seem to be very confident.
Local dissensions which originated two years
ago, but which have been measurably healed,
NAV make the election in two Of the Congress
sional Districts--the first and fourth-clOse !;
but in all the other districts the Republican can
didates countupon good majorities. The Maine
delegation IN Congress is an exceptionally
able one, and it would be public calamity
to have it broken. A Republican victory in
Maine to day will have no uncertain meaning.
The contest has been sharply defined between
the defenders of the National honor on the
one side and those who have attacked it on
the other, and the success of the former will
mean much more than the political control
of State or the election Of Republican del
egation to Congress.