Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-24
LETTERS EROM THE PEOPLE
ON THE GREAT OUTRAGE.


The Deed is DOne!!!
Mr.. EDITOR The papers came to hand
last evening which assure us that the fact of
infamy predicted, but not really apprehend-
ed, by only few who had the best means OF
Judging what would be, is done! The will and
wishes of the people solemnly and constitu-
tionaly expressed at the polls in September,
in the way provided by the constitution and
laws of Maine, are reversed, by the action of
eight men, each of whom had by their official
oaths promised before God, to sustain and
uphold the constitution and the laws. | am
an old man, hold no Office, never expect to
hold one, have no interest in government ex-
cept in common with every citizen, but per-
NIT me, Mr. Editor, to inquire, do official
oaths mean any thing Is any one bound by
port and sustain the constitution and laws and
then violate both, or not? Does any punish
ment lie against any one doing this? Should
men who are not lawyers wish to know about
these matters? | remember when Maine be-
came a State. | have been familiar with pub
lie affairs from that day to this. have per-
sonally known nearly every Governor that
Maine has had have known more or less
intimately hundreds of our public men, of all
parties and of all classes. | am tolerably IA
mIliar with the political history of Maine. ]
have watched with interest the strife of par
ties, have often seen them very nearly bal
anced, much nearer SO than they are this
year. and vet, have never seen before the
attempt deliberately made by any officers of
the government to reverse the political decis-
ion of the people, however slight the prepon-
derance on one side or the other. In 1929,
iona. G. Hunton was chosen Governor by
eight being chosen by each party. The House
had one majority, national republican, and
chose Daniel Goodcnow for Speaker by that
majority. The administration that year was
democratic, and if they had been such men
as we have now in high places they
could with perfect ease have counted
out the Governor, Senators and all, and
have had everything their own way. But they
did not nor attempted to do, any such thing.
They counted returns honestly and fairly, and
gave to the people the rulers whom they had
chosen at the polls In 1910, the Wing ma
jorty for Governor was 81, and the House
and Senate very nearly divided between the
parties. The democrats were in possession of
the government the year previous and counted
the returns honestly and truly, giving the
political power to the candidates OF the peo-
pie. Nearly the came equalization of parties
prevailed in 1887, yet the breath of suspicion
was not heard that any one was counted out
who should have been an Nor has it ever
been so but once in these fifty years that we
have had our annual elections in Maine I'M
til this year of grace, 1871 1t is an unenva-
Bile place which these men have carved for
themselves upon the history of Maine, AMI
now, Mr.. Editor, what is to be done?
What way is there to avert this fraud and
| outrage? twill never do to allow this at
tempted steal to succeed. If it is submitted
to this year. it will be done next. Our Pres
idential electors next year will be counted
out, no matter by what majority they may be
elected; or what is worse, this fraudulent
Legislature may appoint them. The nation
may become involved in war and bloodshed
over the electoral vote of Maine. Somethiag
must be done. do not say what, because
there are wiser men than to say what. But
one thing will venture to suggest and that
is, that meetings of the people be held every
where to denounce and protest against this
outrage upon their rights. Let our best and
ablest men sound the alarm before it is too
late. Let meetings be called without dis
tnction of party. Democrats are as much in
terested in this matter as we republicans
There is no one who is not interested. Let
there be general uprising of the people to
protest against fraud, unparalleled in all the
North, unparalleled anywhere since we were
nation, FROM NORTHERN MAINE