The Portland daily press., 1879-09-06


1t is curious political anomaly that the last
great fight of Greenbackism should be made
in the East, in State like Maine, where the
voters have been generally given to honest
views in finance, and where we have been ac-
oustOIIaOo IooN AoI patIiooiSnf anu sooIiu
sense ON public questions. 1t is more of an
anomaly sut1I, at a time when the success OF
resumption, and the steady upward movement
in all departments of business have
taught, in the most emphatic way posi-
BILE, that the only secure basis for national
prosperity is a currency as good as coin and
that can be turned into coin at the option of
the halder. But it is precisely this anomaly
which we have presented to us in the contest
in Maine. Greenbackism in the West is on it's
last legs In several of the Western States,
where it has been accounted considerable
power, it is dropping to pieces. In Iowa,
where it cast $4,000 votes in 1877, and swal-
lowed up the Democracy in a fusion which
cast 125 900 in 1878, it is counted out of the
race, and the same thing is true in Wisconsin
and Minnesota. In Ohio it exists only as
tender to the Democracy, and its endorsement
by that party is likely to entail upon it a cost
ly defeat. Good crops, the resumption of spe-
Gle payments, the assurance of good markets
at home and abroad, and the general revival of
business have been too much for it in the West
and it has succumbed. 1t is the party of dis
content and disaster, it grows strong in sea-
| sons of commercial distress and rejoices in ST.
| lent factories and Stagnant trade as its chief
support; but before the advance of prosperity
| it skulks out of sight. Now after twelve years
| of precarious existence, during which it has
| achieved not o single important triumph, driv-
| en- out from its home in the West and gaining
nohold in the South, it rallies all its forces and
makes last despairing struggle for existence
| in Maine. The intensity of its contest there is
born of the conviction that this is its last
chance Flushed with the unexpected meas
ure of success which it won at the last election
and strengthened by careful organization,
| and by trading alliances with the Democrats,
| it has put Forth its utmost energies to gain
foothold, knowing that its failure to do so in
| wolves permanent defeat.
| 1t is this fact which lends special strength
to the Maine Republicans. Theirs is a most
unusual opportunity By bringing the full
| Republican vote to the polls next Monday they
| will not only thwart one of the most nefarious
| schemes for the attainment of political success
! ever attempted, and redeem the State from an
| alien and mongrel rule, but they will defeat
| Greenbacksm itself in its, last desperate con-
| test, and will administer a blow to the fiat
money delusion from which it will not be
likely to recover. The way in which they have
conducted the campaign shows that they are
fully alive to its importance and their respon-
sibility. There was never before a canvass in
the State so brilliant and enthusiastic, and
public questions have never before been so
fully and ably presented to the people. Every
day is witnessing gains to the Republican
cause and acquisitions to its ranks, and all in
dications are full of promise. A part of the
Greenback strength comes from those who
have been drawn into the movement by local
and personal considerations, without any very
clear idea of the general drift of the thing.
AS the National aspects of the question at issue
are impressed ON the popular mind, and it is
seen that Greenback success would mean
triumph of theories which would plunge the
country back into evils from which we are but
| just emerging, very many of this class of yot-
ers are returning to the Republican party. We
have no doubt that Maine will give good ac-
count of herself next Monday; but every voter
should & got to the polls, and the Republican
| maiorithehould be decisive.