National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-19
THE MAINE FRAUD UPSET.

tionable principle that the ends justify the
councillors started out with the unyelding
purpose of pervorting the expressed will of
the people and th ereby of subverting the
Government. He usurped powers that |
neither the constitution, the laws nor the
principles of right Or justice justified. In
spired by purpose that stopped at 10
measure Of wrong and fraud in the accom-
plishment of the end he had in view, he
moved on steadily step by step, in the per-
lection of his nelarious designs until he over
leaped the tenure of his Office and stamped
everything with which he had to do with
the darkest fraud. He opened his crusade
against the expressed will of the people |
with the fixed purpose of stealing the State.
He was confronted with condition of
things which compelled him TO sub
nit the points at issue to the SUI
preme court of the State, which decided
every material point against him and his
policy. To this he gave no more
heed than TO the wind that blew upon him.
He steadily and persistently pursued his
scheme of fraud. lie found willing tools i'll
the ranks of the FusionisIs, who aided his
purpose with a fidelity worthy of better
cause. A fraudulent legislature was organ
lied, with Senate ready to consummate
his villainy by placing fraudulent pre-
siding officer at its head who was ready for
the time being to usurp powers and au-
thority that were uniustiied by the law
and right This was another step in the
scheme of fraud. The next step was to Sc
cure through the action of bogus legisla-
ture, which had no legal existence, the cleo
ton of SMITH the Fusionist, as Governor.
In the meantime the opinion of the Su-
prone court was invoked as to the legality
of this action, but it was in no degree sus-
pended pending the consideration of the
question The work of usurpation went
steadily on.
The court however, gave its decision
upon the points presented for its considera-
ton, and its opinion sweptaway every legal
prop that was relied upon to sustGiu the ac-
ton of the alleged Legislature. But this
weighed no moro with the usurpers than q
piece of blank parchment, They deied the
court and its opinion-they took early steps
to subiugate the military arm of the Gov
ernment by issuing orders TO the command
ants of the militia throughout the State,
requiring n recognition of the authority of
an usurping Executive, and up to Saturday
morning the matter had been pushed until
the Fusonists fattered themse Ives that they
had fully subjugated the State TO their pur-
poses.
However, after the adjournment of the
bogus legislature of Main Q, and the close of
the Geographic report on Saturday after
noon rapid and cheering change came
over the aspect of affairs In that State. The
lawful legislature being thoroughly in
trenched in equity and by full and sweep
ing opinion from the highest legal authority
of the State, assembled in the legislative
halls of the Capitol, and proceeded to setup u
lawful government, by the election and in-
auguration of q Governor and the appoint
ment of an Executive Council and Secre.
tary of State. This was peacefully and
promptly accomplished, and under the de-
cision of the Supreme court the State of
Maine is again provided with legal gov
eminent, which has and will continue to
hold the reins of power against all attempts
to the contrary. This government is forth
fed by law and right, and will be sustained
by public sentiment outside the sedition-
lists, and by all the agencies that pertain to
perfectly established authority, both civil
and military, throughout the State. The
work has been we'll done under the full
sanction of law, and it will stand all tests.
We apprehend that if the GARCELoN
mob, which assumes to be Legislature, and
alleged Governor SMITH and his Council
ever enter the State-house again they will
the municipal and State authorities. Their
game is played out, Their little balloon
has collapsed. Their ill-gotten power is
expended and the best thing they can do
for themselves is TO retire 10 the shades OF
private life, where they may be forgotten
They have been INDUCED in their usurpa-
tons of authority until the public mind
has become disguised with their nonsense
and public sentiment is only anxious for
them to retire from public view, under cover
of the opinion of the Supreme court oil
that State. Any further attempt to exer-
else the functions Of Off cial authority will
be to defy the law and the public sense oil
right, and they do so at the peril of pro.
voking general condemnation as violators
of the law, to say nothing of more serious
consequences that may attend their action
These usurpers cannot trife with law and
right with impunity, now that the high
court has put them clearly in the wrong
The Republica MS have and will continue t.
hold the State government, under tho sane
ton of the court, at all hazards.
This Maine affair, however, is but on'
segment of the Democratic wheel which il
steadily revolving in the interest of treason
to the laws and au thority of the Genera
Government 1t began in the South, where
it DISTINGUISHED the people by wrong ant
outrage of every nature, involving til;
most bloody and revolving crimes and hal
continued the policy there until nine States
have been literally stolen and carried int
political captivity by the Democrats. HAY
ing accomplished this much by fraud anC