New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-15
UUAT TIE FUSION Is.

1t may help the average voter to under
stand the situation in Maine. If the facts con-
corning the relations of the Democratic and
Greenback parties are briefly stated The
two parties held their State Conventions on
the same day, the LIST of June last.
The GreenbackeTs nominated General Pl"istcd
for Governor. and the Democrats adopted him
rs their candidate. 1t was agreed at bOth
Conventions that the nominations for Presi-
Dental electors should be left to the rcspcc-
tive State Committees with Il view to
union upon common ticket. The two com
mitters met in secret session Oh the same day
IN July i'll Augusta, and a determination was
reached TO strain every nerve TO carry the
Stale for the Fusion State and Electoral
tickets. 1t was agreed that the Green
hackers should name four of the elect
orS, the Democrats three. The Greenbackers
| nominated their candidates the same day,
putting Scion Chase. the chief of Greenback
fanatics, at the head of the ticket. This
mutual trading away Of principles FOR the sake Of
electoral votes Disguised many of the honest
Creenbackers, and stiaIght-out convention
was called, which is to meet at
| Portland within the next few days, with the
avowed purpose of nominating an Electoral
ticket composed entirely of Greenbachers.
This movement has had the vigorous support
of General Weaver, and of other leaders of
the party.
The danger to the Republican party lies in
| the fact that this policy was proposed at a
| time when not even the Fusionists themselves
| expected a Fusion victory, and their
chief anxiety was to preserve the seDar-
! ate existence of their party. The official
count may decide that the Fusion has fallen
| short of victory, after all, but it is a ques-
| ton whether the Grcenbackers will not be
encouraged by the unexpected strength of the
Fusion vote to stand by the unhoy alliance
to the end in the hope of getting four
electoral votes for Weaver in November
These would give him standing in the
House of Representatives in case of
failure of the people to elect, and it
is to be expected that the Greenbackers
will be as quick to see their chances
as -outsiders. The action of the straight
out convention will show. But we
should still have confidence in the Republican
ism of Name, on a square National issue be-
tween loyalty and dslOyalty, sound finance
and initiation. National honor and reputation.
The blood of the Republican party is up, and
there will be fighting in earnest from this
| day forth
Still one point more must be explained.
| The Democrats of Maine not only adopted the
| Greenback candidate, but they virtually
adopted his platform with him. Their State
Convention adjourned without passing any
resolutions whatever their purpose evidently
being not to say anything which would con-
hict with the platform upon which their can
didate stood Here are two planks from the
| platform upon which the Democratic and
Greonback parties of Maine stood together,
| Resoieed, Tat all currency, whether metallic or
| papcr necessary tor the and convenience OF the
people shoald BE- issued ana its volume controlled by
The Government, and not by or through the banking
corporations Of the county and when 30 Issued should
be f, leaI-teudcr ia payment OF all debts public and
private.
Resolred That that portion Of the interest bearing
deb, OF the United States bich shall become redeem
able year 1881. prior thereto. being in amount
| S7s2, 10000 should not be refunded beyond the
| power or the GOyerpucnt 10 call IN said OBJ
| legations and pay them AT any time, but
| should be paid rapidly a. possible and
according 10 contract. To enable tue Government to
meet obi cations be mnts OF the Uulcd States
should "a-.aied to thor fan oLuIcv Ia ta oGnaJa