The Portland daily press., 1879-04-23
The Political Situation.


to the political campaign Of the coming sum-
mer with unusual interest aud solicitude =.
The experience of the mongrel combination
OF Greenbackers and Democrats which at
present controls the State is not such as to
make the continuance of their regime attrac-
tive to citizens having pride in their State or
care for its welfare. 1t is high time for the
intelligent, respectable and responsible ele-
ments of society to resume control of our
public affairs. The example of Michigan
affords strong presumption that decided
and wholesome reaction against the wild up
rising of last year will lead to triumph of
Republicanism. The political condition Of
Michigan and Maine present many striking
points of resemblance. In both States the
population is largely native born and educa-
tion is very general. Both States have been
Republican for many years prior to last Fall,
when the strange outburst of Greenbackism
overwhelmed both. In Michigan the Re-
publicans were about $4,000 votes behind
the combined votes of the Greenbackers and
Democrats, while in Maine they were about
$4,000 behind. In both States the Republi-
cans had very considerable plurality over
either of the opposing organizations.
Michigan has already held its State election,
and the Republicans are about 5000 votes
ahead of the combined forces of the opposi-
tion, showing great return to their prior
allegiance on the part of Republicans who
went into the Greenback movement. The
same tenden cy applied to Maine would elect
Republican Governor by handsome ma
jority, aud give US both branches of the Leg
islature. The town elections of this Spring
indicate that the analogy between Maine and
M;eLio~A- ts ~ S~-ti-uv.
The place where the Republicans of Maine
are TO recover their majority, if at all, is in
the Penobssot Valley. There it was that
Greenbackism received Its chief reinforce
ment from the Republican party and there it
is that the chief return to the old faith may
be looked for. In this part of the State the
Greenback party was largely recruited from
among the Democrats and comparatively few
Republicans deserted their colors. In the
counties Of Waldo, Knox, Penobscot and Pis-
cataquis great body of intelligent, honest,
and decent farmers by some strange faulty
were led to give their support to the Green
hackers. Very many of them by this time
must be heartily sick of the company in
which they find themselves and be ready to
come back to their natural associations,
if the return be made easy and attractive to
them. The Republicans can offer to them
no change of principles on their part. Hon.
est money and equal rights of all citizens in
all parts of the nation are the cardinal points
of our faith, and there can be no abandon
ment or abatement of either point
In respect of candidates for Office, however,
we may fairly consult their inclin ations and
it is the general disposition of Republican s.
certainly in this part of the State, to nomin.
ate such candidate for Governor as shall be
most satisfactory to the region whence we
must derive our majority if we get one. We
have in our neighborhood several excellent
gentlemen who are prominently named fol
the position, and if either of them is satisfac-
tory to our Eastern brethren we shall be very
glad. It is not our present purpose to dis
cuss the merits of individuals. That may
come later. We wish now merely to indicate
that it is the general disposition of the
Republicans in this section to consult the
wishes and needs of the East and that there
is but little disposition to attempt to force
the nomination of any person against those
wishes and needs. 1t is time to leave in
allegiance special and personal prejudces ant
ambitions and to consult together unself
ishiy for the common good. If the cam
paign be opened in this spirit of self sacrific
and devotion we may hope for the best re
suits; but ifjealousies and chickering's b
aroused, aud if above all, the condition of th
East be disregarded We can look for nothin
but miserable failure.