Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-29
LECTURE BY REV. MIR. TILDEN.
His Topic beinr, the Action OF the Gov
e-nor and Council.

e.nor and Council.
According to previous announcement thu
Rev. Mr.. Tilden delivered lecture at his
church last evening, upon the present condi
ton of affairs in eur State. The effort was
one breathing forth the purest spirit o.
Christian patriotism. 1t was calm, SOUND
and candid, yet pervaded by sterling firm
ness. The church was well filled by an au
dience made of members of all the different
city parishes.
After referring to the aroused state of feel
| ing and the cause of it, he considered the
character of those taking part in the indigna'
ton meetings, saying that such thing was
very significant, and that none except the
weak in mind would pass them by with a
sneer lie urged that it was the solemn duty
of Christian citizens to be interested in the
welfare of the State, and he pitied the church
men who were not Partisan utterances
from the pulpit were not well, but in the case
of such wrong as slavery the ministers
should speak; it was legitimate to do so.
HOW COulu tIcN uO otHci " ioC sPSoh' -
the Governor and Council have done wrong
it concerns every citizen; it is the interest OF
each equally that it be not allowed. There
should be no Incorporate talk from him.
There was feeling enough, and it was only
necessary that it should be properly guided.
He then considered the question whether it
was true that the Governor and his Council
have the support OF the constitution and the
laws. Reading from the constitution, and the
laws of 1876 and 1877, he showed it was the
spirit of them that testimony should be heard
in order to get at the intention of the electors
and then the Governor and Council should
decide accordingly. When the returns were
defective duly attested copy vas to be re-
ceved. 1t was the intent of the laws of 70
and II to get at the will of the people, but
the Governor and his Advisers had violated
pie upon the laws they had sworn to obey
and execute, was almost beyond his belief
Suppose that at the last election man had
taken the ballot from the hand of each and
every voter as he was going to the polls and
torn it up, this was what the Governor had
done, only worse, because he had thrown the
votes away after they were cast. He cited
the case of Skowhegan's Acknowledgement,
read the law upon it, and said there was no
justification in it. He was slow to believe
that the Governor would strike such a blow
at the liberties of the people, but the worst
had been realized. He blushed now for the
first time for the honor of his State. He
thought now of her pine trees with sadness,
and recalled with regret her noble motto
Their was no moral defence for their wrong
and the eight men would be held responsible
He condemned the present manner of con-
Quoting campaigns, saving that no party re-
lied on principle. but on strategy. He wished
by all means to see everything possible done
TO avert the danger. Public sentiment was
a great remedy for public wrong. Women
and the Younger members of society should
frown upon it. II the democrats and green
hackers said it should not be, it would fall. If
those unjustly counted in remained away this
would settle the matter, or the opinion Of the
Supreme Court was easily available. Ifevery
remedy failed no doubt force would be resort
ed to. The question is, shall we be denied
the right of suffrage? l say no, never, at
whatever cost. The people knew their rights,
he said, and would never yield. Mob vio-
lence would settle nothing whatever, but
open, systematic war would, if it must be
had. We will only set down when our rights
are allowed and not before.
The lecture was closely listened to, and on
one or two occasions waver of quiet ap-
plause arose from the audience. The services
closed by the whole audience joining in sing
ing America