Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-31
Dailp Aennebse Journal.
Augusta, Wednesday Morning Dec. 81, T9'
The situation.

ut Sttittlou III iS-ifu ~ hht NNuittih-
fraud has changed but little in the last
twenty-four hours. Governor Garcelon
informed Il committee of citizens Yesterday
that he had not decided whether to submit
questions touching the count to the Su-
preme Court or not. On the other hand il
is reported from men who stand very near
the Governor that he will not invoke the
opinions of the Supreme Court a urged
to by Mr.. Morrill, Evidently the Gov
ernor is in dilemma. The demand for
this course has been So great. the petition
ers so respectable, the opinion so general
that it would at once settle all existing
trouble in a manner eminentlv fair. just
and honorable, that the Governor will he
doomed to deeper intamy than
ever if he refuses and yet the
subtle conspirators who have his
ear will not allow him to call
upon the Court though i'll that
direction lie duty and honor for the Exec
utive and peace for the State. The vipers
will not let 60 their victim. They have
got him at least to procrastinate his reply
to Mr. Morrill,, which delay If continued Il
short time longer will as e0Iectually defeat
Mr.. Morrill's proposition as point blank
denial to ask the opinion OF the Court.
In regard to bringing arms, ammunition
and troops to the Capital the talk of the
Governor with our citizens who visited
him yesterday was quite satisfactory to
them. lie assured them that the arms at
the Bangor arsenal should not be brought to
this city, and no troops will be called here
unless disorder arises which the police of
the city may be unable to cope with. The
Governor has been made to understand,
we think, by the letter of Mayor Nash
and the committee which visited him yes
terday, that bringing soldiers TO the Capital
and converting the State House into an ar
senal are not necessary for the defence OF
the Legislature, and would only prove ei-
fective in fomenting and bringing about
the very disorder which the Governor APP
pears anxious to guard against. In the
present state of the public mind the pres
ence Of a force OF soldiery here by order OF
the Governor, would be considered Il menace
and would be the most dangerous meas
ure he could take. Nothing has more in
famed the public than the reports that
troops were coming from Portland. The
best measure of peace that the Governor
could take would he to remove elsewhere
whatever ammunition and guns are now in
the State House, and show to the people
that he is willing TO trust them to keep the
peace.
The intensity of feeling among republi
cans in regard to the great wrong at
tempted has not al,ated in the least.
They regard it with the deepest indigna-
ton, as the crime above all political
crimes ever committed in this country
one never to be submitted to, but they
have confidence that there is so much hon
esty and manhood among the men counted
in by the Governor and Council that some
of them will refuse to become partners to
the great infamy which they are invited
to share, will decline to accept seats TO
which Others and not they were elected
by the people, and that in this way the
nefarious scheme will be defeated. 1t
cannot be that these men a; so destitute
Of conscience and honor, so dead to the
enornlity OF accepting seats in the legisla-
ture under the infamous conspiracy to
subvert the will OF the people rs declared
at the ballot-box that they will consent to
become partners in this outrage. To ac-
cept seats under this fraudulent count, at
ter its complete exposure, would be to
commit the objectionable sin. There can
be no peace thereafter for the man who
does it.