Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-01-06
For the OXFORD DEAocRAr.
THE PLOT.
CORRUPTION N HIGH PLACES, Is THEME
no REMEDY?

Seventy thousand outraged, expasper-
ated and indignant voters of the State OF
Maine have arisen, and with one voice are
giving expression TO their profound indig-
nation at one OF the deepest, darkest, and
most damnsble crimes that has ever blot
ted the page of history. They have not
arisen without just cause Their constitu-
tional and civil rights and their sacred
liberties, guaranteed TO them by the high
est law known 10 free, independent and
sovereign people, have, for the first time
in the history OF this State, been wrested
from them in the darkness and secrecy OF
Star-chamber proceedings, by men disgrac'
ing the high positions of Office TO which
they never ought to have attained, and
before which the high handed usurpations
of royalty under King John in the thir-
teenth century pale into insignihcance.
These are facts that will 90 down in the
history Of our country and be read of other
generations, not for their guidance, but as
an admonltion ana warning.
Who is there of intelligence in all par
ties that win deny that the last annual
election resulted in q popular vote for the
Republican candidate for Governor of 2l,-
600 over The Greenback candidate, and 49,
eco over the Democratic candidateg or
that there We're 10 Republican Senators, TO
IL of the opposition, duly elected. That
in the House of Representatives the Re
publicans were % and the fusion-Demo-
cratic-opposition were 81, and, with the
Legislature so constituted, that the Repub-
ican candidate for Governor and the State
government in all its branches would be a
Republican administration: These are facts
As well known 10 the men OF all parties
today as they were Immediately after the
announcement of the election returns from
the Office of the Secretary OF State in Sep
TENDER last; these are facts that were
admitted by all parties through their party
organs AT the time, and the people correct
" understood the result OF that election,
and history viii so record ii.
There are, however, graver and more
serious facts that have now 20 be spoken
of. and which have cast diShonor on our
State and will forever conSign 10 eternal
infamy and disgrace the bold conspirators
in this nefarious crime. Never since cleo
tions began in free government, was
more deliberate act Of unadulterated scoun-
drelism perpetrated.
The action OF Gov. Garcelon and those
seven crudite peripstetics-morc recently
known a. his Council in counting out
,ighi duly elected Republican Senators and
counting in eight non-elccted opposition
Senators. in counting out ttoeRfy-nine Re
publican Representatives and counting In
seventeen opposition Representatives, aud
DISTINGUISHING a large portion Of the Peo-
pie by refusing representation TO twelve
more Representatives, thereby reversing
the popular will OF the voters Of this State,
and for purposes - partisan, and upon
pretences 80 technically frivolous, accord
inc 10 his own confessions, written for the
constituency OF Boss Tweed, and first
published in the New York >sn-where,
undoubtedly. this gigantic swindle was
first conceived, with view OF capturing
Mainc's seven Presidential electors for
lSS0-merit the severest condemnation OF
every liberty loving citizen OF this and the
United States. II i subyerSive OF every
principle OF free government, dangerous
to liberty. and the very beginning of reyo-
luton.
Let Us examine for moment the Ian
guage emanating from this exalted but
iSnominious official in extenuation OF the
high handed outrage he has committed.
The party To which he belongs and which
he dishonorably represents, beyond the
limits of the New England States, dazed
by the unprecedented acts OF this official
and his Council in comparison with which
all the past crimes, couspiracieS, theits
and frauds OF the Tammany ring are lus-
trous and shining virtues, turn 10 this ris-
ing luminary and ask an explanation of the
means by which he has been enabled TO
accomplish this brilliant coup Fetdi!
The language is characteristic OF the
man,-and that language is false, prevari-
eating. and smacks OF the lowest dema-
gogiSm when measured by the very instru-
mentS invoked in his deiense-the consti-
tuition and the statute laws in accord
Herewith" In that himsy document he
saws the Governor and Council have not
only endeavored 10 follow both the letter
and spirit of the constitution and laws
made in accordance Herewith rs indicated
by their own Judgment but by advice of
their duly appointed legal officer, aided by
the best legal talent in the State.
The Judges of our Supreme Court have
decided that ballots cast for William ii.
smith and W IL. Smith are ballots to be
counted separately. Several changes have
resulted from this condition OF affairs"
This statement is open 10 the severest
criticism, and is a. void of truth az the
authors acts are of principle. Instead OF
taking the constitution and the claws made
in accordance Herewith, the directly oPpo-
site is true. If the constitution and the
statute law Of lS77 had been taken as the
rule OF action in counting the votes, there
is not the slightest possibility that, by the
minutest technical bubble which could
have been found by those severe, astute,