The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-12-27

In another column this morning we
publish letter to the public from Cover
nor earcelon, Of Maine, explanatory Of
the action Of himself and Council regard
ing the returns Of the September election
in that State. From the latter Il appears
that they were governed by the Constitu-
ton and laws, and but fulfilled the require
mentsof both. For years iheTeturns have
been accepted as sent up, regardless Of the
prescribed forms for cosnting and making
chem out. Under this system carelessness
has grown from bad to worse, until this
wear some were 50 far from the require
ments Of law that the Governor and Coun-
Gil, under their oaths to administer the
laws faithfully, we're forced to reject them.
They did not constitute themselves Re
turning Board and proceed according to
the requirements Of party, but with the
constitution and laws as their guide, ex-
pounded By able legal advisers as well as
themselves, subjected all returns to legal
tests, aud rejected Democratic aud RePub-
lican alike which were not properly made
up. Conscious Of being right they could
not be deferred from doing their duty,
though the Republicans set up terrible
shout about fraud aud revolution, aud
made threats deep aud dire Violence Is
threatened at the organization Of the leg
stature uext week, should the Republicans
elected on the face OF the returns be re-
fused seats in that body.
The Washington correspondent OF the
Baltimore Sun, writing under date OF De-
cember %, says Of the Maine imbrogio;
Discussion here over the Maine political
complications is quite general, and IN many
instances very bitter. The talk OF resorting
to force will probably simmer down consider
ably by the time that the period for action ar
rises. II is not the first time by any means
that the people Of different States have Ian
cied that they were deprived OF their rights,
or we're really so deprived, and they have
generally found that peaceful and lawful meta
DDS of redress were The best IN the end. OF
course much Of the adverse comment on the
action taken by Governor Gareelon and his
counsel is based on an imperfect knowledge
ofthe law and the facts. Ii as is claimed, 1t
shall be demonstrated that Gov. Garcelon has
acted IN TO the strict letter of the law, how
ever gross an Injustice may have been perpe'
trnted, public opinion neither IN Name nor
elsewhere would countenanee foreioie resis-
lance, and to no persons is this better known
than TO Senators Hamlin and Blaine, who are
inst now indnlgiug in such violent harangues.
The remedy, then, is left for the people at the
polls, and When the opportunity arises they
can repeal or amend the laws thai operate
unfairly. Those here who know Mr.. Blaine
and MI. Hamlin so well are entirely satisfied
that they are only playing q big game OF blutf.
When so strong partisan, so able and SO
astute a man as Senator Edmunds, and one
so thoroughly versed in all the lntrieaeies oil
the law, hesitates to deny that the Maine law
has not been complied with, the moaihings OF
others possess little significance. There has
been much conjecture here to-day as TO what
the President would do il the republicans I'M
dertake to set mp separate government, anuIt
is asserted IN some quarters that the president
declares in such event he would recognize the |
republican government. 1t is scarcely eredi' |
bic that the President has at this time made
any such declaration, for il is impossible that
he can have the information necessary 10 de- |
termine whether the forms Of law have been |
complied with. He knows, as do the whole !
people Of the United States, that he is him
self occupying position to which he was not
elected. but which was awarded to him under
Nv 81 tie people q uie- -cnitAat AAa lsAiaF5
we're thus deprived of their rights bowed in
peaceful acqaiescence to il, simply because
Il was done under the form Of law, and il
would be singular indeed il be should declare
that the people Of one State would be justified
in resisting what the people Of all the States
submitted TO.