Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1879-12-30
THE MAINE MIDDLE.

Dne OF the sOrrlest things about the polItl
oal troubles in Maine is the disgustingly par
tisan manner in which the sub ect is treated
by newspapers of opposing political creeds.
The Eastern journals which are at present
discussing the matter, seem to have but one
idea III view, and that is to give all the facts
favoring their own side of the controversy and
TO suppress everything favorable to the oppo-
sltion. Solid conclusions can never be arrived
at by this unfair and illogical style of argu-
nent The reports which first reached us from
the scene of the trouble, were 50 conflicting
and garbled that 1t was impossible to form
an intelligent opinion on the subject, much
less write about IT. A careful reading of va
rious newspapers published in the immediate
vicinity and also the remarks of the leading
Republican and Democratic journals Of New
York, show the following state Of affairs. The
Republicans at the late election elected their
ticket. After the returns were counted, the
Democrats threw them out on the grounds that
they had not been made ont in accordance
with law Governor Garcelon, Democratic),
is at the head of the faction which claims that
the returns should not be received This
ton caused intense excitement i'll Maine, and
especially at Augusta, the Capital There
was talk of an uprising of the voters who be-
heved that they were being defrauded of
their rights. Now, putting sside all partisan
considerations in the matter AS they ought to
be put aside, the question hinges solely upon
ho lor g he : hac pf
the ballots and the making Of the returns was
not in conformity with the State law govern
Ing such matters, the refusal of the Democrats
in power to accept them, was made on perfectly
proper grounds. The laws which pertain to
elections should be strictly enforced on all oc-
casions and when irregularities are allowed to
creep in, the very foundation of Republican
form Of government ia undermined. If, on
the other hand, the returns were legally
counted and rendered the people defrauded
Of their right are perfectly justified in re-
sorting to any extreme measure if the courts
refuse to give them justice i land the following
language used by Gen. Joseph A. Hall at
Republican indignation meeting, is not too
strong:
Believing that the patriotic sense of duty on
the part of the people will bring Us out Of this
trouble, my voice is now for peace, and de-
eidedly against force; but, fellow citizens,
when the approach of anarchy and the de-
struction Of civil liberty shall stand upon one
side, and their prevention by force stands |
upon the other; when the law shall be no |
longer of avail and the courts become power
hess to give us Justice, then am for resorting |
to the last great ri ht of freemen aud assum-
ing the responsibility OF going forward like |
men, who, knowing their duty IN the hour OF |
peril. dare perform it, letting the consequent
ces fall where they justly must. upon those
who forced US to the dread reality.
1t il said that notwithstanding the extreme
cold, the excitement is so intense that people
travel twenty miles in wagons to attend the
meetings called for a discussion of the diff
Guilty. In the midst of so much partisan
feeling, the real merits of the case are liable to
be overlooked, and the tone of the press upon
The subj ect seems only to- fan the fires of party
rancor and dscord. The Democrats finally
attempted to remove the arms and ammunition
rom The State Arsenal, and the Republicans
gathered and compelled their retarn This
seizure of arms was clearly an ill-advised step
III the part Of the Democratic Governor, yet
ne legally had the right to seize the arms, if
he considered that the peace of the State de-
handed it. 1t is certain, however, that the
military responsibilities on the occasion were
hastily and carelessly assumed. This act, and
he complications arising from it, is discussed /
~ the press solely from partisan standpoint. J
The Republican papers denounce the Govern
RS action, and alude to him and his associ-
ties rs " thieves and conspiritors endeavoring ,
o steal the government of the State by the
FULLEST ehicanery ever perpstrated on free
eeple. Democratic paper slludes to the
Their side as follows: 1.-The seditious mob, u
hich, having tramplsd under foot the inst- o
ited and lawful government of Maine, and "
the State into anarchy and revo
tiOn, have erected standards Of rebellion in p
lie town of Bangor and brought the country Al
ace more face to face with civil war" When NJ
)litical cOntrovsrsys reach such pass, the
after should be settled as peacefully as pos q
BILE by the Supreme Court. If the Demo !.
ats can show that the Republicans have h,
,enly dsregsrded the election law, the re-
rms should be thrown out and the men who }.
ere foolish enough to attempt TO elect their =
ndidates unlavfully, will be taught valu- -
lie lesson, which, let us hope, will not be g