Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-19
THE FUSION ROUT IN AAINE.


The action of the Maine Republicans, and
the Eon-action of the Fusionista, have
combined to settle the trouble in that State
on basis alike without warrant of law or
equity. Whatever had been gained by Gov.
Garcelon and his advisers has since been
frittered away by lack of appreciation of
the situation, or q lack of stamina among
those who have assumed the direction of
affairs, on behalf of the Fusion cause. We
therefore find that the Republicans are to-
day in full possession of every department
of the State government, and there is little
or no hope that anything which the Fusion
lists have allowed to pass through their
fingers will be recovered.
There have been number of bad blunders
committed by the Fusionists. The first and
perhaps the greatest one, was the submission
OF the heterogeneous of Gov. Garcelon to
the supreme Judicial court. The governor
ought to have known that the opinion would
have been adverse to his position, for the
members of the court were all bigoted parti-
by the leaders of the Republican party. In
deed, the nature of the opinion had been so
thoroughly understood that many hours be
fore its issue all of its points were matters of
Augusta and Boston.
Again, before taking any stand in mat
ter of such great Importance, the Fusionists
ought to have been sure that they we're right
and would be sustained by the regularly con-
stituted authorities. This being done, they
should have maintained their position at any
risk, and compelled the Republican rebels
to resort to physical force to dispossess them
of their advantage. We have no doubt
whatever but the Fusionists had an absolute
legal and moral right to retain control of
the State government. They had the au-
thority of numerous decisions to sustain
them in the course they pursued in
denying seats to such members of the legis-
lature as were fraudulsntly or impsrfectly
returned as chosen, and should have adhered
to this position rather than turn the questions
over 10 an &c pGrte court for an opinion of
no legal or binding force. They might have
been driven from their position by the exer-
else of physical violence by the Republicans,
but such an outcome would have left them
in far more enviable position than their
opponents. That the Republicans we're pre-
pared and determined to use force is fully
demonstrated by the dispatches, which rep
resent that the entire militia strength of the
State was under arms and ready to obey the
mandates of the party at moments notice.
Gen. Chamberlin, who derived his authority
from Gov. Garcelon, proved willing tool in
the hands of the rebels, and not only re-
fused to recognize the legally elected legisla-
ture and governor, but promptly acknowl.
edged his allegiance to the usurpers almost
before they had gone through the form of
installation.
As we remarked yesterday, we are unable
to point out any avenue of escape for the
| Fusionists. It seems to be the fate of the
party out of Office to fall into all manner of
errors. These arise partly from timidity
and partly from lack of familiarity with the
desperate methods of the Republicans. That
party will never surrender power in either
State or nation without resort to the arbi-
trament of war, while the Democrats, fearful
to run such risk, shun giving them any
excuse for bloodshed. We are thoroughly of
| belief that the Democratic party, by assum-
ing bold stand in 1876 against the illegal
tiles end usurpations Of the returning
| boards, would have inaugurated Mr.. Tilden
| as President, but a failure to do so inspired
their opponents with courage in their own
cause and contempt for the Democratic
party. The same programme seems to have
been followed in Maine, and the result is
that the Democratic party has apparently
lost everything. Subsequent intelligence,
however, may somewhat modify the situa-
ton. At any rate, we shall hope for such q
result, yet we are prepared to accept the
worst.