New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-13
POLITICS IN MAINE.

Campaigns in Maine are generally interesting
from the fact that they are almost always
fought on National issues. The election,
occurring on the second Monday IN Sep
tember. precedes the October elections In
Ohio and Indiana by full month, ana usu-
ally furnishes an index to the drift OF OPINION
throughout the North. Last year Maine served
rs a warning to the Republicans In other
States. Her election showed that the Green
back fanaticism had grown with unexpected
rapidity. The Republicans in the States vot-
ing in October and November saw the Import
ance Of making new tight against this ue-
fusion, and concentrating their efforts INTO
sturdy defence of resumption and sharp at
tack upon the sOft-mOney theories, they won
a series of brilliant victories. ms year the
canvass in the Pine Tree State will be watched
with interest to see how much Is lett Oh
the Greenback organization, when sprahg UP
like rag-weed in single season, ana also W
observe the effect upon the old parties OF the
issues raised at the extra session OF Congress.
Curiously enough, the Maine Democrats at
this time exhibit less vitality than the Green-
hackers. The Greenbackers have held their
State Convention aud nominated for Gov
ernor Joseph l.. Smith, the man whom they
supported last year, and now there is serl-
Gus question raised among the Democrats as
TO the wisdom of making no nomination and
bringing their party up to the support OF
Smith. The leading Democratic organ in
Roekand County comes squarely out 1Or
Smith, declaring that the Democratic party is
out of the fight in this campaign, and that
the action of its convention will have no more
effect on politics than the assemblage OF a
sewing circle. The Democratic Convention
meets July 1, and we shall then see whether
it will accept the humble role OF tail to the
Greenback dog. 1t is plain that these Down
East Democrats have no stomach for the
September fray. Their scheme for pushing the
Greepbackers to the front to take the hard
knocks betrays the cOwardice of demorallza-
ton.
The Greenbackers themselves are in no con-
dition to take the brunt of the fight. Desert
ers from their forces have been numerous.
1t is doubtful whether their leaders can hold
together one-half the voters they took to the
polls last year. The falseness OF their argu-
ments has been thoroughly exposed by the
unanswerable logic of events. Ihey SAID the
Government could not resume specie pay
ments. II has resumed. They said the at
temnt 70 resume would bring universal dis
aster and bankruptcy to business and great
distress to the laborng classes. Business Is
now more prosperous than at any time for
many years, and the labOring classes are IN
better condition than before resumption. lhe
Greenback leaders must now come before the
people as false prophets convicted OF grossly
deceiying their followers. What new lies Will
they invent now that the old ones Will serve
their turn no more What fresh financial
fallacies can they devise TO take the place OF
those so completely exploded. And how can they
expect the least credence for their sophistries
now that their charlatamsm has been exposed
The soft-money fanatics will ching TO them
from n perverse determination not to see the
error of their ways, but thousands OF honest
voters who joined them last year because times
were hard and wages low and the prices Of
bay and oats had fallen, will now upbraid them
with their deception and refuse to be duped a
second time.
To the Republicans of Maine it is not mat
ter of Importance whether the Democrats fall
in at the rear of the disintegratng GreeDback
Marty or make a fight on their own account,
for they are strong enough to whip their ad-
versaues in whatever shape they may come
into the field. The swelling tide of great
Renublican revival is heard all over the
North, but nowhere is there clearer pertent
of victory in its tones than away down in
Maine The Maine Republicans are max
ing a vigorous campaign, and will fight with
two-edged sword. With one edge they will
destroy what there is left of the rag-money
delusion, and with the other they will smite
the allies of the Solid South.
MR. RVSKIN ON DRESS.