The New York herald., 1879-12-29

now impending will be averted and justice secured.
Your Excellency's obedient servants.
w. 4. GILELES.
THOMAS d. ANDERSON. Jr.
WILLIAM H. FENN.
J.J. CARUTHEKS.
THOMAS HILL.
EDWARD j. HINCKS
WILLIAM H. SMALLER
H. w. NEALY.
A. DALTON.
FRANK Z. CLARK.
HERBERT w, LATHE.
JAMES McWHNNIE.
Augusta sends petition headed by Thomas Lom-
bard prominent democrat, and signed by 1o2 lead
ing citizens. including three ex-Governors-
Joseph H. Williams. Anson p. Morrill, and Selden
Connor. Skowhegan sends . petition signed by
Judge James Bell and l02 Others Ellsworth sends .
petition headed by ex-Attorney General Emery and
Mayor Davis and signed by 112 prominent citizens.
Damariscotta sends petition headed by R. w. Met
calf the large ship builder. and signed by eighty
two others. Bucksport sends q petition headed by
Il. d. Hallock. prominent democratic lawyer. and
signed by ninety-four others. Bowdoin sends pc
tition headed by Aonzo Purrinton and signed by
sxty-four others. Franklin sends petition signed
by Joseph H. West and twenty-five others.
-guts BLATANT PuLPITs. ns
With one exception the pulpit was compare
lively silent here to-day on the question now SO
hotly and feverishly discussed throughout the
State. That exception was due to the Rev. H. W.
Tilden pastor Of the First Baptist Church. His
church well flied this evening. owing to
announcement previously made that he would de.
liver discourse what Is popularly called there
the '.Great Steal" After an earnest political
prayer Mr.. Tilden said that never before in tho
sixty years Of Names history State. except
one occasion. had the public mind been much ex-
cited" The excitement permeates all classes Of
ciety and oil walks of life. The cause Of this
is that the Governor and Council have arbitrarily
and contrary to the provisions Of the constitution
and the laws refused certificates to between thirty
and forty duly elected Senators aud Representatives
and have given them to many men who were not
elected. Large meetings have been held in various
parts Of the State to cypress the popular indignation
against the outrage. tnr
~ THE SITUATION xxTnEME. ~
'Ministers Of all denominations have departed from
their usual line of action and have added their voice
to that Of the people. They have done so withous
partisanship bias and only to establish their claims
to loyalty to demonstrate their love for popular
government. This fact shows that the occasion Is
an extreme one. None but tho morally reckless can
afford to pass by this state Of affairs with sneer.
The situation is grave and should be treated
with the most serious and thoughtful attention
by AL citixens. hold 1t to be the solemn duty Of
evel3 Christian to be concerned about tho pub
lie welfare. It is his duty to be the alert At all
times whan his country is concerned. Should he be
remiss in this and leave the direction Of public
affairs to des,gning politicians he ought to be
ashamed.
A PgrIABLx CHRISTIAN.
81 pity the Christian who would not be ready at
all times to stand up for his country and do his
utmost to preserve his freedom and that Of his
fellows. 1t is unusual to discuss politics in the
pulpit. and have always believed that such
matters ordinarily ought to be kept out Of
the sanctuary; but there certain phases
of politics that must come properly within
the scope Of the minister the guardian and
promoter Of the public morals. On the question of
slavery our pulpits were outspoken. and rightly.
too for 1t vas blot the record Of country a
o Christian land.
After further ustifying himself for the position be
had taken In the public discussion OF the Governors
action he said that he alone responsible for his
conduct in this regard that the Church had nothing
to do with it. and that he was not urged to speak
from the pulpit on the subject. He then reviewed
the counting Of the votes aud read extracts from the
constitution and tho State statutes applying
thereto. suppementing his criticism by statement
to the effect that he had carefully studied the legal
aspects Of under the direction of able
sellor.
FIAGpANr VIOLATION OF oAras.
He charged the Governor and Council with openly
and fagrantly violating their oaths of Office. aud
said that they had themselves defined sn interpre-
tation of the constitution which contrary to
long line OF decisions given by tho Supreme Court.
Assuming" he said "that they had legal author
y to back them up. is there 10 be attention paid
to the moral aspects of the casea Are mon who
have been intrused with the direction Of the public
affairs to sacrifice honor. honesty and morality to
Aha tdar tion NJ rkv ndva hat
would man say IL he we're to approach the ballot
box on election day and ind body of mon
openly preventing him from casting his voter
Would ho not be indignant? Would he not protest
in the strongest aud most forcible way against the
outrage? And IL this were done to 100 men. would
they meet together and denounce the perpetra-
torsY And yet Governor Garcelon has done this In
effect. Hc has. to be sure. allowed the to de-
posit their ballots; but he has nuincd their effect.
He has done what would make him dictator.
NAMES IDEAL DESTROYED.
''I have been sorely grieved." said Mr. Tildcn.
'over this wanton attack the liberties of the peo
pie. have refused TO believe IL possible until tho
result was declared. But the worst has been done.
blush for my native state of Maine. 1 have
loved her for her political purity and her
high moral tone; but there is stain
on her fair record. think Of her
tall pine trees with sadness. The who have
committed this outrage her liberties do not even
sot up moral defence. There have been rumors
and reports Of bribery having been praetiSed in the
late election. The Governor and Council do not
mention single case as justification; but even
bribery pales before their conduct. The mai who
buys the vote of another simply Injuries man. but
tho men who reverse tho popular will commit .
crime against the state. against public and private
morality and virtue. do not hold any party
i~As,
rectitude. The eight men who havo reversed
tho popular will stand alone In the infamy.
BAD pLooD IN THE PUBLIC VEINS.
"There Is bad blood in the public veins." con-
tinucd the speaker. ut has broken out in several
places. have often had occasion to critcise the
publican party for Its shortcomings we'll ~ tho
democratic; neither is frce from blemish; both
have fallen from tho high pinnacle OF political
morality. Our campaigns have ceased to be strug-