Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-01
pillsbury on the Issues.


Eben F. Pillsbury is going about the
State telling the people that there are none
bat State issues involved in this election.
Wherever he speaks that is the beginning
and end of his speech. If this be so what
is the meaning of that bayonet and ballot
box illu ,tration which has been so con-
spicuous in the columns of the Maine
Standard during the campaign Does that
represent a State issue according to demo-
cratic ideas In the issue of the Campaign
Standard of June 10th we find the follow
ing:
II Is the Old Fight Renewed.
! The contest now being waged between the
democrats and republicans is but a renewal
of the old struggle between the JeilersOnian
democrats and the Federalists,--a struggle
between the friends of popular rights and the
advocates of centralized government with
monarchical powers.
! To-day we are fighting the old battle over
again, the republicans striving to strengthen
the central power even to the extent OF tax
| ing control of the peoples elections, while
the democrats insist upon retaining power II
the hands of the people, so that the central
government shall continue 10 be their servant
and not their master. On which side will you
array Yourself? Will you stand by the prin
ciples embodied in the constitution or will
Won go for old fashioned blue light Federal
ism? Will YOU be on the side of popular
rights or against them!
1t seems that Pillsbury thought about
that time that there was something besides
= ;,,nl,-.I fTha, II IN ha
the old fight over again-a square fight
between the republican and democratic
parties. So late as July md he had not
dropped the idea that national issues were
involved. for in the issue of the Campaign
Standard of that date we find the follow
ing:
The Great Political Issue Of the Day.
The vital issue of the pending political can
vass in this State (and indeed elsewhere
throughout the country unlike any of the
ordinary issues which have heretofore divided
political parties, is one affecting the very
structure of the government itself. and in
volving its perpetuitv in an elective form.
The fact of the existence on the part of the
leaders of the republican party, Of a purpose
to convert this Republic INTO a central depot
ism bv annihilating State and popular rights.
has been apparent for several years past
yisihlv so IN the several reconstruction acts
If Congress. which sought to reconstruct the
Union on basis unknown to the Constitution
and in violation OF its letter and spirit.
ivowcdlv so as set forth in n series Of resolu-
lions offered in the United States Senate in
1874. by Mr.. Morton of Indiana, affirming
this is nation" and deriding tho idea that
the States or the people of the States possess
any rights not conferred by the Federal Con-
.titution-violently and wickedy so in
the republican conspiracy against free gov
nrnment. first manifested in threats of force.
md then by actual fiaud. eventuating in the
lefeat of the popular will as expressed at the
last Pre-, identa election. and in seating in
the Presidential chair a person not elected by
the people, and latterly, not less clearly and
pnmisrakablv so in the plot of the republican
minority in Congress- aided by their fraudu-
lent President to again defeat the popular
will as expressed in the election Of members
to Congress by resisting the rule of the ma
iority of that body-a plot having for its Oh
iect the perpetuation of republican rule by
means of federal supervisors to arrest and
ovcrawc voters at the polls. And the CEN
realization conspiracy started by Morton, and
the plot now developing itself in Congress to
control elections through federal supervisors
and bayonet rule, are both emphatcally en-
lorsed by the recent republican State con
venion at Bangor in all their length breadth
and cnormitv-distinctlv raising the issue as
The prominent one Of the campaign in this
State, whether the people Of Maine will en-
lorse or repudate the movement to convert
his Republic into centralized despotsm. by
md through the agency of host of federal
.airaps, backed up by federal bayonets at the
polls TO carry a Ia Louis Napoleon.
The people of Maine will meet and settle
this issue at once and forever by stamping
out the party that takes the side of despotism
against popular liberty.
These articles will read rather strange
~ to those who now hear Pillsbury assert
that only State issues are involved in this
election. But his change upon this mat
ter is easily accounted for. His republic
can greenback hearers would speedily
find their way back into the republican
party if he should present the national
issues which only few weeks ago he
said entered into the election. and SO he
drops them and declares that only State
issues are involved! What a cheap
trick ster is Eben +. Pillsbury.