The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-20
Joshua Nye and his Strange Fol
lowing.

A somewhat remarkable convention was
that which assembled in Congress Hall yes
terday morning. Called ostensibly in the
interest of temperance, the course adopted
by those who had particular charge of the
meeting received the heartiest applause
from motley crowd of men who, if IA
nous for anything, are famous for lifelong
and persistent opposition TO all that the
temperance men of the State of Maine have
heretofore regarded as desirable. The Tres
ence of such well-known temperance men as
ex- Governors Anson P. Morrill,, Sidney
Perham and Nelson Dingley Jr., and Camp
meeting John Allen, Rev. d. B. Randall
to the cause of temperance and prohibition,
and the unanmity of the gentlemen named
in opposition to the course taken by the con-
vention may justify us in seriously asking
the question, if it is not possible that some
other motive than that of love for the cause
of temperance has prompted Joshua Nye
and other lesser lights to take q course
which. seems to be approved only by the Bit
terest opponents Of temperance and prohib-
ition in the State.
When Joshua Nye's utterances are applaud
ed by men against VIII ON score ormore of
indictments for violation of the liquor
law have been found, when his position is
approved by such Fusion politicians as
Ezra Carter, George w. Parker, Solomon
Stewart and other men who never gave a
moments thought or uttered word of sym
pathy for the cause Of temperance, he and
all other sincere friends of the cause of
temperance, if any such act with him, may
well ask themselves what evil they are do
ing? We are reminded that when, by a
repeal of the State Constabulary act, Joshua
Nye was deprived of the office of State Con-
stable, he Immediately saw only damage to
the cause of temperance in the continued
success of the Republican party and was the
active leader of bolt against Governor
Chamberlain. And it is unfortunate for
him that he finds it necessary again to
lead bolt against Governor who saw fit
to decline to re-appoint him as Insurance
Commissioner, and, refused doubtless for
good reasons, to appoint him special con-
stable for Kennebec county. Mr. Nye's
devotion to the cause of temperance cannot
be doubted; and that he has spent time and
money in promoting it in the past nobody
will deny. But Mr.. Nye is human, and
while he held official position under the Re
publican party was as earnest and persistent
as anybody to secure the whole temperace
vote of the STATE for the Republican nomi-
nees. A due regard for his reputation for
consistency should cause Mr.. Nye to avoid
taking any position which might justly ex-
pose him to the suspicion of being infiu-
enced by personal disappointment
In regard to the other gentlemen who took
prominent part upon Mr.. Nye's side in
that convention we have but little to say.
Most of them are men unknown to fame or,
if known at all, known for their persistent
opposition to the Republican party. And
the true friends of temperance in Maine,
who have always found the Republican
party ready and willing to aid in any meas
ure upon which they were united will hesi-
tate long before they march in the wake Of
Joshua Nye, cheered by the plaudits of no
torious viOlators of the prohibitory law and
the unsavory crowd of Fusion politicians
who are endeavoring to dishonor the good
name Of the State of Maine by endorsing the
Infamous conduct of Garcelon and his gang.