The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-10-07

w. #. EATON.
Sept. 29th.
To lie Editor Of the argus
The open letter from the pen of j. M, Todd.
addressed to myself and others, came to INV
knowledge to-day. And while do not design
to answer 1t in detail, a few things in il de-
serve reply Some of the statements made
therein are entirely untrue and others are
specimens of special pleading and mysticism.
He insists upon our duty to ratify an agree
ment which he dares not assert was ever en-
tered into; of our fulfilling contract which
was never made, and which no one had power
to make. He claims that certain vague hints,
or implied understandings, made by rrespon-
BILE persons, should be dignified with all the
binding force of a solemn contract, made by
persons having full jurisdiction in the case.
Ihls whole matter has been urged by persons
who desired the thing to be done, and urged
on by hope of political success until they have
brought themselves, and would bring others
to feel that they ought the same TO do, even
at the sacrifice OF their principles and sacred
obligations to others.
There was much talk at Bangor by class of
men who assumed to be leaders in their respect
i've parties, OF division of the electors And
hearing the matter discussed, and also hearing
1t asserted that the committees had7 entered
into an agreement l sought our chairman of
the State central committee ami he stated to
me that no such agreement had been made or
could be made, Tor no one was clothed with
such authority No such subject was pre-.
sented TO our convention, not even by impli-
cation. Ii it had been it would have found
few advocates and an army of opponents We
were called to Bangor to represent our party
not to sell it out. Our work was definite and
we did it to the satisfaction of our people,
The Democratic convention generously endors-
ed our nominee without pledge from him or
us. The act was generous, and laid the founda-
ton OF kindly feelings, and doubtless will be re-
clprocated in proper manner, but not by an
act which involves the violation of our prin-
oIVN slr4s
we were bound by the principles of our own
platform previously adopted to definite
line OF action "N0 tdngling Alliances" From
this we could not swerve without violating our
principles, our obligations to our brothers and
our conscience, and to our God.
Again the writer, speaking of meeting of
the State Committees, when this matter of di-
vision was under discussion, says: "You were
there, gentlemen. Why did you not then and
there stand up and say, there has been no
agreement, nor any understanding or hint that
we will ever unite with you, and if there was
such an understanding, we never will in the
future help carry it OUT? Now as far as l am
concerned all this is entirely false. l have
never attended meeting OF the State Com
mittee, and have never heard the matter dis
cussed by an organized body (up to the con-
vention OF the 21sD and repel the charge of
coaodrdice on dishonesty, or both, which is i'm
Piled i'll his statement. l have never given
the least sanction to fusion, either with Demo-
natural enemies, and to unite with either of
them is to receive injury. In the policy tlev
pursue they are much alike, and the power
behind them is one and the same-n,0ney. 1
have ever spoken ard acted against fusion,
and intend firmly to pursue the same course as
long as my convictions remain as now. And
had it not been for the folly, not to say dishon-
esty of a few self-constituted leaders who be-
trayed us, fully believe today both old parties
in Maine would have been controlled by the
naOpla'S Rv fuciOu 11aIf f1,o hon,
est mon in the Republican party, and sent the
most radical back, and by the same act we pre-
vented accessions from the Democratic as they
were not disposed to go to party coming to
them.
But the writer takes very strange views of
the relative obligations of the majority and
the minority. He claims that the minority
is bound to submit to the degrees of the major
ity, however that majority is obtained, and
however wild it's decision. Majorities are not
always right-witness calvary. The colonies
| were In the minority when the stamp act was
| passed, and, according to his logic, ought
meekly to have submitted to the will of the
naughty majority Our fathers said, No, and
| so gave us America. II this principle be cor
rect, then our conventions may be packed by
Democrats or Republicans, or we may packIeith-
| er of theirs, and our DEGREES bind them to acts
subversiveof party principles and destructive
toparty life. And their acts put us in like situa-
| ton. Tne whole thing is simply absurd and
| reveals the bewilderment of the writer. Some
| golden prospect surely turned his head. The
| minority is bound to submit to the decision of
the majority, only when the actors are of the
| same party faith, acting in a body to which
| they have been properly chosen, and also act
| ing within the general rules which constitute
| them party, society, or church. We are
| very far from the Democrats as political
| body if their platforms and party organs are
| proper exponents. And the only remedy
when party PRINCIPLES are violated by the ma
jority (as at Congress Hall the 2lst) is for the
minority to take action upon those violated
| principles, thus assert their rights, their con-
| victions, and defend their principles And
| the demand was never more imperative than
on the 21st, for it involved our party existence.
| But l need pursue this letter no further. As
an individual the path OF duty is very clear.
! The glitter from no Post office, or custom house
! blinds my eyes, hence there is no conflict be-
| tween duty and inclination. l shall stand
firmly upon the principles which drew me
from the Republican party to the Greenback
! No middle ground for me. And while well
come as brethren all who accept those princi-
| pies, declare war upon the policy which is fast
| sinking our glorious America into the level of
the social, and political plan of Europe. And
would very mildly suggest to the writer of
| the letter OF the 9th that in his attempt to
portray our national bird, spread in all its em-
blematic glory, it is so drawn that many will
| mistake it for that unfortunate fowl we slaugh-
ter for Thanksgiving dinners.
w. F. Eaton