Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-07-22
DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CONvEN-

d. X. Hastings, esq, chairman of the
County Committee, called the meeting to
order and read lengthy speech which he
had carefully prepared for the occasion
The address was good, sound, old fash
toned Democratic one, advocating State:
rights and local self government. He
spoke at length concerning U. S. Super
vision at elections and condemned it as
unconstitutional, unrepublican and I'M
democratic" He said the issues before
the Democratic party were the same, and
the Democratic party stood where it did
thirty-fve years ago, with the Constitu-
ton of the United States for its tounda-
ton. The Government was like the plan
etary system, controlled by two forces
the one advocating Capitalization, or the
placing of power in the hands of the gen
eral government at Washington, the other
tending TO divide the power among the
States, or opposed to Capitalization. These
two tendencies were represented by the
two parties-Republican and Democratic
and were necessary to maintain the
equilibrium of the government.
The second issue now before the people
he said was in regard to finance. He
believed that in politics men should be
as honest as they should be in their bust
ness transactions. The government has
no right to go into the banking business
-greenbacks or no greenbacks. There
fore he took issue with the GreenbackerS
on this question as he takes issue with
the Republicans on the more important
issue between the Democrats and Repub-
licanS. The Constitution says the Cen
eral Government may coin money-that
is, stamp the value on coins of gold and
silyer-but nowhere is 1t authorized to
stamp paper and call it money. The
Government has no more night to do so
than it has to run the railroads and tele-
graphs of the country, or 10 engage IN
any other business He cannot swallow
any such doctrine as that Two par
ties are necessary TO preserve the symme-
try Of the Government, and there is no
occasion for hard feelings between the
members of the two parties. We are
met today to consult concerning the best
interests of the Democratic party, and
will take such action as will promote Its
future influence.
Mr.. Hastings nominated Asa o. Pike
of Fyeburg as temporary chairman and
c. +. Whitman of Norway as temporary
secretary.
Mr.. Pike took the chair and read the
call for the convention, as published IN
the .Argls. He thanked the delegates
for the favor conferred and was ready to
proceed with business.
Mr.. Hastings moved that the committee
on credentials be dispensed with, and that
all present be allowed to act as delegates.
Carried.
Thos. Brigham, esq, of Buckdeld,
moved that the temporary organization be
made permanent. Carried.
On motion, Ira Johnson, jr., of Nor
way, Geo. Rand Of Norway, \. p. An
drews Of Paris, JOS. Hutchinson of Buck
field, VIM. Richardson of Greenwood,
were appointed to nominate a County
Committee. d. r. Hastings Of Frye
burg, c. F. Whitman Of Norway, q. A.
Hastings Of Bethel, A. =. Andrews of
Paris, Vaudeville Holden of Dixheld,
were finally selected as members Of the
County Committee.
Mr. Hastings said it is customary to
appoint a committee on resolutions, which
retires, consults for an hour or two, and
then reports series Of crude resolutions
which no one could fully comprehend
He had prepared two resolutions which
he would present direct to the convention.
They were as follows:
The first approved the denomination Of
Gov. Garcelon and pledged to him the
undivided support Of the Democrats OF
Oxford County.
The second recited the present condl-
ton of parties, declared it was not for
the interest of the Democratic party to
nominate a ticket for County officers, and
recommended that the Democrats support
the nominees of the Greenback convention.
Mr.. Hastings supported these resolu-
tons somewhat at length, saying that
the Greeubackers seemed to have lever
under the Republican column and had
begun to topple it, and for one he was
willing to stand by and see them throw 1t
over. The Democrats had been unable
to do this, after twenty years trial, but
now there seemed to be a prospect that
the Republicans would be turned out of
Office. If there were but two parties,
and the question at issue was the money
question, he would vote with the Repub-
Leans. As the issues are today 1t viii
best serve the Democratic party to have
the Republicans defeated by any means.
1t will result in future benefit to the
Democratic party, and therefore, though
it Is bitter pill to take, he favors the
resolution.
,. h Garter, esq, OF Farls, Salu ne
could not swallow the whole of Mr.. Hast
ings's pill. He asked if the resolution
was to bind the Democrats of Oxford
County. If so he was opposed to it. He
could not, and he would not vote for the
ticket as presented, and he opposed ii
from principle. He had always been a
strong Democrat: but this was too many
Cor him IL there had been q fair coali-