The New York herald., 1879-12-26
The Situation in Maine.

| turbance OF the peace OF the state. IL Is
curious circumstance that the widest OF
the warlike utterances have proceeded from
thepulpits Of evangelical clergymen-acla class
of men who live in an atmosphere of emotion,
and have not sufficient contact with affairs
to give them the calculating GOODNESS and
sessed by citizens "hackneyed in the ways
of men" and who have q more practical
acquaintance with life. In the combustible
state OF public feeling which exists in
Maine our confidence that the peace of the
| State will be preserved has rested on our
estimate of the good sense and practical
sagacity of Senator Blaine. While it is his
party and carry it to a high pitch, il would
| be fatal for him to take the incendiary
| responsibility of a local civil war. In
his willingness to rouse indignation
| he has gone some steps too far, but he is
strong enough to restrain his followers
within legal limits. It was blrnder to
give loose rein to bravado about resort
to force, because it furnishes a handle to
| the fusionists. They denounce the repub-
licans for their incendiary threats, and are
+ able on this ground to make strong ap-
peal to the peace loving citizens of the
State against revolutionary violence. Mr..
Blaine sees that the republicans must re-
treat from SO untenable position, and he
is conducting the retreat with consummate
skill.
Of course the able and plausible letter Of
ex-senator Morrill,, the chairman of the
Republican State Committee, was not pre-
pared without consultation nor sent to
Governor Garcelon without the sanction Of
Mr.. Blaine. 1t is exceedingly clever and
dexterous. Maintaining throughout tone
of decorous moderation and couched in
language of respectful Difference for Cover
nor Garcelon, it conveys the impress
sion that the republicans of Maine
are extremely anxious to have this
controversy settled by legal and
peaceful methods. By holding out the
prospect of a judicial determination it
tends to allay the spasmodic passions
which clamor for violent redress. 1t is the
main purpose of Mr.. Morrill's extremely
adroit letter to exert this tranquillizing in
fuence on the republican party of Maine
without abating their sense of the injustice
with which they have been treated. Moth
ing of the kind was ever more skilfully
done.
We do not suppose that either Mr.. Morrill,
or Mr.. Blaine has any expectation that this
proffer will be accepted. If this case were
submitted to the Supreme Court it would
doubtless decide, as Judge Virgin decided,
when he was applied to for mandamus,
that the question is beyond the jurisdiction
of the Court. Mr.. Morrill, perceives this as
clearly as anybody could tell it to him.
He is careful to say that he would expect
the Court to act only as an ''umpire."
But if it were to travel outside of
its jurisdiction and express opinions
as an umpire" such opinions would
deed occur to many persons that they
have read reports of Judicial decisions in
which courts have decided on the validity
OF elections. But we must guard against
the confusion Of view which results from
false analogies. None Of the cases in which
courts have delivered judgments on the
election Of public officers has related to
members Of Legislative body. Courts have
Jurisdiction in relation to the election of
State or county officers. and in such
cases if canvassers have made an
illegal award the Office may be
given to the rightful claimant by
q judicial decision. But in every State
- L.oc ~ ~fx xla T.ors;cIot,.o - ,,,olo A.
final judge of the election of its own men,
bers. There is no appeal from its decision
and no authority to review its judgment.
Each branch of every Legislature possesses
exclusive jurisdiction and is o court Of
final resort as to the election of its own
| members. While it is certain that no
Judicial court ever has, it is safe to assume
that none ever will interpose in this class
of questions, which all thesState constitu-
tions reserve from the purview of the
| judicial power and commit exclusively to
the respective houses of their legislatures
The necessity for quieting down the pre-
vailing excitement is the motive Of Mr..
Morrill's letter. It's closing sentence is in
tended rather as hint to the belligerent
republicans than as an appeal to the Gov
ernor. Mr.. Morrill, says :-.T address Your
Excellency not simply as an individual,
but as chairman Of the committee of the
republican party, all of whom are desirous,
above all things, to avoid every possible
disturbance of the public tranquility and
to reconcile popular discomfort" This is
equivalent to saying to the republicans of
Maine, cease talking about force until oil
peaceful methods Save been exhausted.
1t was full time to send forth this cry of
'.Halt p There has been n narrow escape
from bloodshed in the streets Of Bangor
The Governor, in the exercise of an
authority which undoubtedly belongs to
him, ordered transfer of arms from the