The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-08-18
PORTLAND, Aug. Is, 1879.

PORTLAND, Aug. 16, 1879.
Editor Of Argus.
In your issue of today two very easy conun-
drums are asked in your leading editorial
which / must presume you desire to be
answered.
'What does it mean? In whose interest Is
the Colonel laboring?'
And you further add:
eve now learn from the Greenback state
committee that they have not engaged nor az
horized him Certainly the Democrats have
not authorized him, as he is not speaking with
the sanction of either the Democratic or Green
back committee"
All this was entirely supertiuous. Your edl-
tor, in q two hours interview on the day OF my
arrival, ascertained exactly my sentiments;
and was very particular in stating the morn
ing after 1 spoke, that was not under the aus
pices of the Greenback state committee. Why
you should have been so careful in thus taking
the Greenback party under your paternal wing
have not the means Of knowing.
But you will pardon me suggesting that this
great party in Maine is capable of taking care
of itself. am nobody's man; and the Green
back party does not get belong to anybody, how
ever much danger there may be of its being
hereafter ruled by self-constituted bodies. 1t
was ridiculous for you to insert anything
about your Democratic committee "haye not
authorized him." / have been the subject OF
such unmitigated abuse and scurrility in the
Democratic papers for seven years past, that
no authority could be asked or given in any
mo and that marty
The general impression is that the people OF
the state of Maine are yet free and unintlml-
dated and enjoy freedom of speech. How long
they may remain so one cannot tell, unless
Major Smith is inaugurated for Governor,
with good Greenback House and Senate to
back him. l am free citizen, and it is kind
in YOU to concede that other citizens have the
right to invite me to speak and to pay those
expenses There is not a cent OF Democratic
money expended in my behalf, nor will there
sands of dollars for that party's legitimate ex.
penses, but if any Maine Democrat is out of
pocket for me, don't know it. The COM
mdnds of either Of your committees, Radical,
Democratic or Greenback, are nothing to me.
Citizens asked me to speak in Portland and l
gave the time free of charge, as have always
DONE After repeated correspondence accept
ed invitations to speak at Norway, Bath and
Rockland. Your statement that my speeches
excited the disgust of Democrats and
substituted 'Greenbackers" for Republi-
cans, My views were applauded steadily at
Norway and the large audience remained for
nearly two hours without perceptibIe diminN-
ton. In Bath 1 admit there was rage among
the Democrats and Radicals, but the Green
hackers never fail to enjoy the truth. And if
there is anything do enjoy, when hornets are
about, it is in stirring em up. AT Rockland
despite 1000 Republicans assembling in the
hall to hear Congressman Mckinley, nearly
1000 persons stood in the open air for two hours
repeatedly interrupting me with applause, and
giving me three hearty cheers whenI closed.
The truth doesn't seem to hurt those honest fel
lows Bit notwithstanding your friends had
the telegraph at work begging that my meet
ing might be suppressed as they caused the
Augusta appointments for Aug 10 to be With
drawn.
have heard of no disguised Greenbackers,
though wolves in sheep clothing may not fancy
such discourses
'In whose interest is the Colonel laboring?"
In that of the National party, which desires
the election of Smith and does not support the
man whose name heads your column. Sincere
GreenbackerS, like me, are not acrObatS. We
are too clumsy even to balance water on both
shoulders without splitting it. We can't advo-
cate Smith and Garcelon at the same time, as
you do, and if we were capable of managing
more than one party at the same time, we
would not be content without running all three
of the parties together Perhaps your "com-
mittee'' is capable of doing even that.
am earnestly requested now to speak in
Bangor, Union, Lewiston and Auburn, not by
Democrats, but reliable Greenoackers. l am
assured if would consent to return to Bath
and give three days notice, the largest audi
ences assembled there for years would greet
me. Be kind enough to say to these good peo-
pie and others, who may write to me, that cir
cumstances will prevent me now from address
ing them. reserve the pleasure until can
come to Maine to help carry it for the National
Presidential nominee, and then I will freely
speak my mind in regard to men and various
things, regardless of being authorized
Very respectfully,
BLANToN DUNCAN.