New-York tribune., 1880-09-27
THE ELECTOR1L CONTEST IN MINE.

THE ELECTORAL CONTEST IN MINE
The separation of the Grcenback voters in
Maine marks new stage of the Presidential
canvass. Democrats will OF course represent
that this separation is of no consequence, and
they ale welcome to all the encouragement
they can manufacture for themselves in that
way. The naked fact is that all the Green
back and all the Democratic voters united had
no votes to spare at the State election, and
an important and influential portion of them re-
fuse to sustain a Democratic Presidential
ticket. The result can be easily foreseen.
Nor was there reason to anticipate any other
action. The Greenback party in Maine, as
the votes show, was composed of nearly
$4,000 Democrats against nearly 5000 Repub-
licans 1t was to be expected therefore, that
a large majority of the members of any
Greenback Convention in that State would
desire to sacrifice all chances Of an inde
pendent party for the sake of promoting
Democratic success. Less than one-sixth of
the voters in the Fusion ranks were former
Republicans. But nearly one-third of the
delegates in the Greenback Convention re-
fused to be swallowed by the Democratic
party. The vital question was whether the
former Republicans would consent to be used
as the catspaw for the Democratic monkey
They refuse and the question is answered
But some of the former Democrats appear to
have refused also. With the cOuntenance of
Mr.. Weaver, their candidate for the Presi-
dency, and with the leadership Of Mr.. Chase,
the father of the Greenback movement in
Maine, and others of influence, nearly one
third of the Greenback delegates decline to
be sold ont, and will probably influence more
votes than the Democratic trickstcrs expect
or desire.
The position OF the Republican party, in
this matter, is fixed by its convictions. Re-
Dubcans believe that specie payments have
brought great prosperity to the country, which
ought not to be thrown away by change"
for the sake Of change. They believe that
the loyal people of the Northern States, who
saved the Nation from disruption by rebellion,
ought to continue TO govern it. Upon either
question they have no hesitation in appeal
ing to tho people. But they ask from the
opposition a fair, manly and open appeal to
the people. They are willing to meet those
who believe that resumption was mistake.
If those who oppose resumption will stand UP
and be counted by themselves, the Republi-
cans are willing to abide by the popular ver-
dict Or they are willing to meet those who
wish that the dislOyal South should now be
intrusted with the charge Of the Government
which it tried to destroy. If these men,
rebels, quas-rebels, copperheads, or deputy
Democrats, will stand up and be counted by
themselves, the Republicans are very willing
to abide by the popular verdict. What they
want is a fair appeal to public opinion, upon
issues honestly stated
The Democratic party. on the other hand,
wants to get Office by any means, however
dishonest. 1t processes to be hostile to Green
back ideas IN York, but claims the sup
port of Greenback voters in Maine. 1t puts
UP a General Of the United States Army to
give it certificate Of loyalty, and yet ap-
peals to Solid South to sustain the cause
for which Lee and Jackson fought" The
Republicans have right to feel that these
are essentially dishonest methods. They have
a right to say to their old comrades who dis
sent from them about matters Of finance,
"VOte against us if you will, but do not vote
"to put this country into the hands of the
"SOlid South, unless you mean it." The
Greenback voter who sees how the South has
been made solid, in Alabama for instance,
cannot maintain his self-respect if he votes at
the North to win victory for the party
which suppresses his ideas and swindles his
associates at the South. Thus it is that the
Republicans feel that fusion of their OppO-
nents, effected by a surrender of principles
and convictions, Is dishonest thing which
all fair-minded citizens should rebuke and de-
feat.
In New-York Connecticut and New-Jersey
the Democratic party processes to be sound
on questions of finance and taxation. and to
have regard for the public faith, because it
knows that 1t could not possibly succeed if it
presented itself before the people as it does
In Indiana. At the West and South it is
soft-mOney and free trade party; In
Maine 1T preteDds to be soft-moncy
and protective party, and in this
State it pretends to be a hard-money and
protective party. What is the real object of
all this dishonesty The intelligent voters of
the North know it well. 1t is to capture the
Government for the Solid South-for the
South made solid by force and fraud. That
object the Democratic party does not dare to
avow. Hence 1t covers itself with deceit. In
Maine 1t begs the aid Of Plasted and ardent
Greenback voters. In New York it appeals to
hard.money bankers and capitalists for aid
In Pennsylvania it pretends to favor protec-
ton. and In Indiana 1t promises free trade
All these are cloaks and cheats. The party,
as q whole. has but one aim-to capture the
Government for o party which the Solid South
can control. II Greenback voters Of the