The Portland daily press., 1880-09-02

have led off in this work, we beg to call your
attention to their action and its obvious effect
upon the progress of our cause. On the 18th
Of last month a small number of the semper-
ance men of Maine assembled at cortland and
by a meager majority Of the votes of those pre-
sent resolved that Gov. Davis had forfeited
the confidence of the friends of prohibition in
this State. The men who thus assumed to speak
for the temperance men of Maine subsequent
ly assembled and nominated Joshua T. o.
good, Esq, OF Gardiner, as their candidate for
governor. Such was the action of few of the
temperance men Of Maine, aided by large
mn Msn o. those VIC have hitherto
stu occupy the same position. That this &C.
ton In no wise represents the prohihitionists
OF Maine has been made evident bv HE ex.
pressions OF diaapproval which have come M
fSs a. sne Trends o. IN al Of
ance men who have fought the prohibition
battle In and through the Republican party
With 50 great success the feeling Il we'll nigh
unanimous that this action is not only unjust,
division In the temperance ranks, but also
calculated to overthrow the party which has
given u all the prohibitory legislation now on
our statute books. and to bring into power the
party which has opposed us at every step.
The party now in power in this State was es-
tablished as prohibitory as we'll as an anti
slavery party, and it has generally been true to
the principle and enforcement of prohibition.
The great body of the friends of temperance
are In its ranks, and Whenever they desire they
present nominee of this party for Governor
was designated by their votes because they be-
lieved him to be true friend of prohibition as
well as Of other Republican ideas. He was re-
nominated in June with their approval. Moth
ing has happened since that time, notwith-
standing the complaints that are preferred
against him, which affords sufficient ground
Tor the withdrawal OF the confidence reposed
in him by the friends of prohibition. We are
confident that time will show that this conf
dence has not been misplaced. We believe,
in common with the great body o. temperance
men in Maine, that the cause of enforced pro-
hibition can be best promoted by the election
OF Gov. Davis and the triumph of that party
which has always been favorable to our cause.
We are sure that such diversion of the tenn
perance vote to third candidate IS would &C.
cure the success Of the Fusion ticket, would
result in disastrous injury to the cause of tenn.
perance. 1t would be the triumph of the party
and the men who have always opposed prohi-
vide and weaken the temperance men as to
make them an easy prey to their enemies. The
fact that the lifelong enemies of prohibition
arc rejoicing over this Independent movement
ought to open the eyes Of every friend of tenn
perance to its danger. The fact that more than
nine-tenths of the prohibitionists Of this State
regard the movement IS prejudicial to the
cause OF temperance, ought to lead every sim
core temperance man engaged in it to recog-
n!se tho propriety Of subordinating his own
views to the judgment of tho great majority of
his co-workers in the cause, and to induce him
to refrain from action which would lead to in
troduce Reorganization and division where
heretofore union and harmony have given us
so great triumphs.
But while we thus endorse and recommend
adherence to the Republican party, and the no
election Of Gov. Davis we do it because we
wish to recognize the eminent services of our
friends in this cause, and further, because we
believe the triumph OF our cause can best be
promoted by this action. At the same time we
assure the party that continued and impair
tial adherence to these principles can only as
sure continuance Of our support.
1t is source of sincere qualification to us
vention, Joshua K. Osgood, Esq, whose inval-
liable labors In the cause are known and read
OF all men, has recognized the force of these
considerations and declined to occupy posi-
ton which would only prove injurious to en-
those who have been associated with him will
withdraw with their standard bearer from q
movement deplored by the friends and encour-
aged by the enemies Of temperance.
we learn, from what We suppose to be re-
this independent mo ement has substituted for
Mr.. Osgood tho name Of Joshua Nye, ESQ, of
Augusta, - their standardobeaxeF. The past
eminent services Of Mr.. Nye in tho cause of
] 1mPoi1noe ana Ptonipttton IN tho state
csn9os- % 700 nignY commenced. These
seINcSe arc iuily Approached BY us. Yet
notwitnstandlng ms former labcrs in tho
s;aso no nso soon NJ 70 sePesaae nineeii from
n!s iormer co-workers ana become the leader
Oh OLE nov aepiored Dy nearly every firm
commended and urged on by those who have
always been the opponents Of temperance and
prohibition, andlcheered on by such eminently
temperance papers as tho Eastern Argus,
M H1 Staa ~ ~ anu tne bangor commercial;
mi =; !; soe reaSon urged tor sniS marked
Tnna!Ee IN nis couISeI IN substance that Gov.
LAWS mas not 1een as prompt IN the appoint
- ~. =, ;s;s 70 eniorce tne amendments
~ ~ ."S plonlDlsoIy law RasSea iasG winter as
ar..nj,s ~s0u ~. =" SnUu.s ma 70 Eeen. Inc
the 10Th Of F"hrnarrp M .Io Tsolaol on
p S.0 ~; y. cculaaly. Up inc umo OF tne
ths 9sd u I s.ase SVnvonuoI e. AugTsla on
t;r,at;ax =. 81 MO a.. asns ~ III. yves es-
to-. ~L. ~ uo ~ eciosa.o. .na. Icnven-
cismat;oS, NOV 2esis 90 VOICE bsin~ hSyar I'd
NOT a1sa 19.. zsse: complaint then IS
call for the temperance convention az Augusta
appeared, when the resolution OF censure of
Gov. Davis was introduced, the Governor had
not closed up all of the grog shops in the state
"a work which Mr.. Nye failed to do in nine
months while state constable. Such in substance
is the ground Dupon (which Mr.. Nye justifes
himself in becoming the standard bearer of q
movement which II successful would over
throw the cause Of prohibition in the state.
The plea that he is sincere in this movement
will not at all detract from the unreasonable
evil which it would produce.
We hereby in the strongest terms pronounce
our unqualified condemnation of the move
ment he leads. We deplore it as well for the
injury it will inflict upon him personally as
upon the cause which his course will effect,
we cannot believe, however, that his follow
from the snccess Of tha canse ws edv Uxsn'
The temperance voters Of Maine are too stronS.
y attached to their cause to be diverted from
t thea paIpos ~ Y sucn ou.s,oe innuence. Wnen
before to the importanos Of .pronomncinp CON-
domination on the men who attempted the
overthrow OF the verdict OF the people e the
endo,sa; l. tHa fr;snJs - rre;h;t s',
der great provocation would assume grave re-
probabilities by casting their votes 50 as to
practically endorse 80 great and far-reaching
wrong, tor to the purity OF the ballot we look
IN great measure for the triumph Of our
cause. To do so on so slight grounds as have
been urged would SGT back the cause Of pro-
hibition many years and perhaps prove the en-
tering wedge to the overthrow of the prohibit
tory law.
We are confident that the false charge that
Gov. Davis has been derelict in duty, and that
the Republican party Is unfaithful to its trust,