The Republican journal., 1880-09-09
Home Greeting to Hon. Seth L. Milliken.

A Home Greeting to Hon. Seth L. Milliken.
The enthusiasm which manifested it.
self on Thursday evening when Mr.. Mil
likcn arose to address the fine audience
at IIayford Hall had more than usual SIG
niticance. On that day the Progressive
Age had appeared with malignant and
venomous attack upon Mr.. NJ, and the
crowd that gathered and the applause
that broke out when he arose, were ex-
pressive of the undiminished esteem in
which he is held by his neighbors and
friends. Mr.. M. did not think it worth
his while to give much attention to the
dead and buried SANDER which the Age
is trying to gaIvanize into life; but what
he did say was well said and was salts
factory to his hearers. 1t is not probable
that the votes of five persons will be With
held from the Republican Congressional
candidate on this account. While it is
well known that many Democrats, who
desire to be represented by an able and
wide awake man, will give their votes to
Mr.. Mlliken
In regard to the connection which Mr.
Mlliken had with the building and leas-
ing Of the Belfast railroad, the story can
be told i'll a few words, and the respect
i've positions of Mr. Millikcn, the Pro
gressive Age and the journal be satistac-
torily set forth, although the dimmcd
recollectOnS of some twelve years envel-
op the matter Those who will take the
trouble to refresh their memories in these
matters will recall that there was fierce
contention over the projects for fixing the
termination OF the road whether that
should be at kendalrs Mills, where it
would connect with the narrow gauge
system under the control of President
Rice, or at some point between Water
Vile and Bangor, connecting with the
broad gauge Maine Central managed by
President Dunn. The strife was deter
mined and fierce. The newspapers of
this city divided the journal fayoring
the kennebec scheme, while the Age ad-
yocated the broad gauge connection. The
board of directors Of the Belfast road
We're divided, as We're also the municipal
officers of Belfast. The hottest political
strife, rarely equalcd that which surged
about this question and endcavorcd to
effect its control. The most exaggerated
stories of the most improbable schemes
We're invented and put in circulation
stories which in the present calm and
settled condition Of railroad matters
would scarcely be credited. 4 great deal
of that which once more comes into cir
culation at this time is the burnt out
lava OF this old volcano, which the Are
is trying to rcheat lor a special party
purpose.
The venom Of the attack which the
Age makes upon Mllliken may bc entire
ly drawn by the statement ot one plain
and sober fact that 50 far from the Are
and Mr.. Mihllen having been in the least
degree antagonistie on the railroad qucs-
ton, or from having stuycn tc bend pub
lie sentiment in opposite directions for
the benefit Of the public it is a fact that
they both abored earnestly to lease our
and labored successfully Miliken WAS
from the beginning an ardent friend of
the broad gauge scheme, while the Age
during the spring and Summer OF I~tiD
mad column after column Of articles de
ciaring that the plan which Mr. NIililen
and his friends favored was the ONLY one
by which the project could be successful
lN carried through. OF course in such Il
heated controversy rs this many hard
things We're said and many more mag
ined. Charges of bribery and corruption
We're flung around ahundantlV and rtck-
lessly. The wicked maxim that "cyerv
man has his price" appeared to come iM-
to general belief But making all allow
ancc for this state Of affairs, the theory
to which the Age now seeks to make con
Verts is most Incredible, viz that the
Maine Central interest found it necessary
or thought it best to buy up Mr. Miliken
who was first, last and all the time the
special friend OF their scheme, The Agr
inierentially places itself in bad posi-
ton in this matter, for if an alderman Of
the city, representing but one fifth Of its
people, required to be corruptly ap-
preached by his own friends. how much
more 50 would a newspaper editor, speak
ing for and influencing the whole people :
The journal, to be sure, permitted the
use Of its columns by the defeated side,
who gave vent to their soreness and dis
appointment, and naturally voiced the
charges of imputed bribery.
As we said, these matters took place
some ten or twelve years ago. They
have been buried and nearly forgotten
Their use for good or evil is now impos-
people, and other questions affecting the
public welfare now demand their atten-
| ton. 1t is not Of the railroad located
and built dozen years ago that they
are to pass upon at the coming election,
but whether or not there shall be sent
from the Fifth Maine district represent
ative whose intelligence and capacity will
correctly and sufficiently speak for his
constituents in the halls Of Congress "A
man whose voice and vote in great ma
tional emergencies shall be with and for
the advanced and intelligent public senti-
ment which the Republican party repre-
sents. That is the question, and the on IN
real question in the issue. Those who 90
grovelling and peering in dark holes and
corners will have only their labor for their
pains. 70 all that has been or can be