The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-12
Hon. E. H. Cove on Fusion.
An Open Letter to solon Chase.

Chase's Chronicle of last week contained the
following letter to Solon Chase from Hon. f
III. Cove, Greenback candidate for Congress in
this district two years ago:
DEAR SrR:-Recognizing in you the pioneer
of the Greenback party in Maine, and a pure
hearted patriot, holding the good of the people
superior to self, address this communication
to you, and through you to the citizens of our
State. ..-
My attitude in the present political contest
places me in opposition to many in our party,
and in my capacity as a member of the State
committee in so contemplate minority as
one against fifteen. This has brought to me
communications from friends, and it would
seem that / should by reason Justify nv ac-
ton, lest be unfairly judged. More especi-
ally is it true, in this first Congressional dis
trict, where stand among those refusing to
support the Democratic nomination, made in
the Greenback convention of the July 29th. |
therefore desire to state, in brief, why L have
taken this stand, and why shall maintain it,
The first foundation stone of the Greenback
party, in this State, was an expressed agree
ment to leave the old and unite in new and
independent party. Political prejudice had
kept the old party lines strictly drawn. Men
deslrous of reforms could only agree to meet
and act together outside of the Republican and
Democratic parties. SO long as this compact
of independence was kept, we drew from both
Yet the flow from the Democratic party was
IQOfe rdplu, anu lOr ODNlOuS reaSO0S. Ino Re-
publican party, holding the State and national
government, had the disbursement of patron
age, and preserved its members by this bond
that maintains parties long after their aims
have ceased to be patriotic. To leave the
Republican party was to leave the dominant
party. To leave the Democratic party, in
Maine, was to leave party crushed by many
years Of defeat and having nothing within its
gift. AS result, the members of the Green
back party, of Democratic antecedents, came
L. 1orer int ftaa,, ,,a.O n...
tion assumed local importance, while yet small
in numbers, holding as it did in places the
balance of power.
Then arose the temptation to combine with
the Democracy and defeat common enemy.
The disastrous effects of this policy soon
proved that these temporary victories had
been secured at too great cost. The party
lost its independent character. Many from
the Republican party were sent back, and our
doors effectually barred against further acces-
sions from the majority party Despite the
fact that trial has demonstrated the effects of
fusion, the policy has been pushed. We have
coalesced with the Democratic party until it
has become difficult to mark just where the
dividing line falls.
In this year. 1880, the nomination of Gen.
Hancock has breathed new hope into the ma
tional Democracy. How well founded that
hone NAV be is not in place for discussion here
That such hope does exist is unquestioned,
and it is drawing Observation-Disclosures to
their old sparty. Obligations to independent
action become as ropes of sand, against the
attraction of an expectant dominant Democra-
CIV, controlling public patronage Ignoring
the new party, they break ranks and rally to
the old standard. This desertion would be
less a breach O. faith were they content to go
alone. Constituting while in the Greenback
party q majority, they not only go, but avail
themselves of the power in majority to vote
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. INTO the Democratic
party,,-as when they nominated Gen. 5Ander-
Son. a Democrat, in a Greenback convention,
and claim that all are bound by the action of
that convention. Thus do they purpose, in
renewing the allegiance, to bring with them
Republican-G reenbackers as a peace offering
to those who meanwhile, ever faithful, have
kept the watch-iires burning in the deserted
camps of Democracy. Some seek to smooth
over this breach of faith by reasons
held to be good, and to which / have given
consideration.
largely made up from men substantially in
harmony with the principles we seek to pro-
mote by an independent organization. In evil
dence, they cite the many Democratic votes
given in support of bills presented by our Rep
Tesentatiyes in Congress. They affirm we need
not hesitate to enter the Democratic party,
when by going to it en- masse, we so reinforce
the Greenback element as to secure control
of the organization and through it all desira-
ble LEGISLATION. In this estimate, they omit
one very important factor-hard money Demo-
Gratis. These same votes in Congress no less
truthfully reveal the presence of men in the
Democratic party who, on questions OF fl
nance. are less Democratic than Republican
or would have been so held prior to the receut
hard money platform, promulgated at Cincin-
natl. In the event of general Greenback
stampede to the Democracy, these men, losing
their ascendency, would go to the party to
which they are more nearly allied by their
financial interests. The majority conveyed to
the Democracy by the ingress Of Greenbackers
would flow back to the Republican party by
the exit of hard money Democrats.
This would leave the party of financial re-
form in the minority and quarantined by the
name and uusavory record Of the Democratic
party. 1t is giving to men like Bayard an OPP
portunlty to shift the burden of past disloyalty
TO a cause thay hope TO crush. for one DO not
propose to enter into such an inheritance.
| believe the attitude OF Greenfackers III
this crisis should be one OF complete and alb
solute independence. The renewed energy OF
the Democratic party is but the spasmolic
effort that presages death. From this national
st,uecle it will fall back, detected ,discordant
and hopeless minority. The hope OF federal
Datronage gone, its local supremacies cannot
long be maintained. This is to be desired, for
the way to currency reform lies across the
grave of the Democratic party. To enter its
ranks is to take its name. To take its name is
to assume the vindiCatiou of its evil past.
If the Greeublckers all over the county
stand aloof from the Democratic party, tins IS
its last national campaign. Now, to vote with
it, and so step between it and death, is un-
patriotic and criminal.