The Republican journal., 1881-09-22
Political Situation in Second District

Political Situation in Second District
The special election for Congressman
in this district. has made a curious reve-
lation Of the political situation in the
second district, if not in Maine. In the
first place it has shown that the Ropub-
lican party is perfectly united, stronger
than ever, firm in its faith in Republican
principles. enthusiastic IN its support of
President Garlield'S administration, and
well prepared for the contest of next year
Advices from all parts OF the district
show that every voter who stood with
the Republican party in 1850, is kepub-
lican to-day; and that scores who were
against us one year ago, are now with us
The Republican vote Of Monday was IN
usually large for an Off wear.
In the second place the election has re-
yealed evidences Of disntegraton in the
ranks Of the two parties which last year
joined hands without regard to principle
on the discreditable platform of anything
to beat the Republicans" From the very
nature OF the case, such Il union could not
be permanent or harmonious; for it was
| long since demonstrated that nothing can
long hold the mass Of men in political re
lations except an identity Of principles \
negative platform a battle cry which
begins and ends with pulling somebody
| else down. cannot satisfy men Of princi-
pie, whether Republicans, Democrats or
Greenbackers. The great mass Of men
are honest and possess positive cOnVlc-
ton, and they attach themselves to par
ties to carry out these principles and not
simply to beat somebody.
The by-play between the Grcenback
and Democratic managers in the canvass
preceding the election in this district,
showed the difficulty in securing a union
for nothing higher than an office. If there
| had been two offices, possibly the difficulty
might have been partially avoided by an
equal division. But there being but one
office the difficulty could not be overcome
in this way 1t 50 happens that there are
some Greenbackers like Scion Chase who
actually believe in Greenback principles,
and very naturally they insist that the
candidate should represent these prlnci-
plies. These straight Greenbackers are
determined to maintain and build UP the
Grecnback party: and they entertain
the view that by going right along and
nominating their own candidates, the
great body Of the Democrats will come
over to them.
There are other Greenbackers who
simply want the Offices and care nothing
| for principles These gentlemen looked
around for Il candidate having mixed
record, who could be claimed by both
sides. They supposed they had filled the
bill But 10, the men who are Green
hackers from conviction insisted that the
gentleman selected should stand up be
fore Il Greenback convention and declare
himself Greenbacker, and pledge him
self to act for and with the Greenback
party. The CONSERVATION OF both the
Greenback and Democratic traders 1T
this unmasking Of their two faced plan,
was very great; but they went right on
as though nothing had happened.
But it so happens that there are Dem
ocrats also who occupy the Democratic
position bv conviction, and these men had
become tired of this continued endorse
ment of Greenback candidates. They al
so feared with good reason that if il
should 60 on longer, the Democratic or
ganization would be lost, and the Demo
cratic party in Maine "a part OF a great
national organization) would be sunk ID
the Greenback party, which has little
strength outside Of Maine, Very natural
ly they protested against the endorse
ment of another straight Greenbacktr 10y
a Democratic convention; and majority
OF the Democratic convention uncNpect-
| a1 Ia l.
tanned a Democratic candidate. The
| traders in both parties were not dlsmay-
ed at the situation, and at once set them
selves at work to overcome the difficulty,
without pretending to consult the voters
1t was found impossible to Withdraw
the Greenback candidate, because the
straight Greenbackers appeared to be
stronger and tirmer than the straight
Democrats. \ pressure from outside was
brought to bear on the Democratic can
| didate to withdraw, to which he finally
yielded.
1t was expected that the Democrats
could all be brought into the traces, as
heretofore. But there were many Dem
ocrats, who had become thoroughly sick
of the manner in which few OF thell
leaders had been trading off their votes,
without consulting them. The cry OF
"Anything to beat the Republicans was
rung in their ears, but it had lost its in
tluence over them. The repetition by the
Greenback candidate OF the stale Green
back talk of two and three years ago
only served to increase their disgust
Many Of these Democrats remained at
home: some voted for the Republican
candidate; some for Reed; and some tol
the ''prohibitory party candidate. The
Greenback committee called on their tol-
lowers to come out Ell maSse and score a
victory but some Of their voters thought
they had got enough of Greenbackism
and either remained ut home or voted fol
the Republican candidate. On the othcl
hand the withdrawal of the Democratic
candidate, and the Greenback appeal,
came in at the right moment to wake up
the Republicans and bring out Il large
Republican vote for an off year.
1t is too early to predict just what cf-
feet the great Fusion overthrow of Mon
day is to have on the Greenback party
and the trading managers Of the oppo-
| Sition. 1t is a severe rebuke to these
managers, and most emphatic notice
| by the thousands of Democratic voters
that they will not longer have their votes
transferred to Greenback candidates. 1t
is q serious set back to the Greenback
party. The occupation of the little cote
RE of Democratic and Greenback man
ayers, who fit over the State to dictate
nominations, make bargains, trade, votes
and withdraw candidates, is gone. Lew
iston journal.