Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-08-01
HE ENDORSED THE STEAL

Wehave opposed aud denounced any and
all assaults on the personal character and
war record Of Gov. PlaiSted, for reasons
duly set forth. But his public acts and his
political record are lit subjects for COM
ment. and may be taken as evidence in re-
gard to the propriety Of electing him Gov
ernor at the coming election.
The Portland Press recently charged that
Governor PlaiS,ed endorsed and abetted
the state Steal OF Governor Garcelon. The
Ifr.r'i>sr replied that PlaiSted did not en-
dorSe the illegal action Of Gov. Garcelon
and Council in changing the political com
plexion Of the Legislature, and called for
evidence. The Press responded by pub
fishing the following telegram:
BANGoE. Dec. -. We, the uudersign-
"a, citizens OF Bangor. believe that the
Governor and Council OF this State, in the
Inspection OF the returns and tabulation OF
the same. which have Just been completed,
have acted in compliance with the ConSti-
tuition and the laws. and We will sustain
them and the constituted authorities OF the
State 20 any extent and Al all hazards
Sisued by II. VI. PINsTED and twenty
seven Others.
This ! satisfactory evidence 70 any and
al who arc fully aware of the magnitude
orthat transaction and the Infamous depths
OF raScality 10 which il perpetrators de-
seconded. \ judicial and impartial citizen,
who holds an important position in Maine,
and who has the confidence Of our people,
stated tina, never was 3 band OF counter
feiters engaged in more unlawful con-
Spiracv than that planned by Governor
Garcclon aud his Council when they ar
ranged 20 overthrow and set aside the re-
suit of the September election of 1879"
This gentleman knows more OF the legal
bearings Of that transaction than most
voters. and Judging OF its bearing from the
pretended excuse made by the Council
that they acted according 70 law he
made this unqualified statement.
Those who witnessed the outrageous
proceedings called organizing the Legis-
lature, can but appreciate the justice OF
that criticism. There was an evident pur-
pose % carry their point, with law or with
out law, and but for the wise counsels
which prevailed, riot would have ensued,
with results which could not be foretold.
Any man who took part in that attempt TO
override the laws aud set aside the result
OF fair and free ballot is unworthy of po-
liticsl support in Maine. Any man who
endorsed the false count and its results, is
equally guilty and unworthy of confidence
This telegram places Governor PlaiSted in
the latter category.
The AarsrtiSer does not deny the au-
theuticity of the telegram, but says that
there was danger OF an armed conflict in
Maine and that PlaiSted agreed, with 9TH
erS, 10 support the Governor against fore
IDLE opposition. If that was Plsisted's po-
SitiOn, he was no patriot. He did not ap-
preciate the blessings ola free government,
and he showed such 3 lack Of courage in
facing wrong, that he is not worthy Of the
high position Of honor and trust which he
now ILLS. The man who could calmly
pledge himself to support Garcelon and
the Council in their revolutionary conduct,
when the hand of an outraged public was
about 10 be laid upon them, lacks the first
elements Of Governor. He should, like
the revolutionary fathers, have been ready
10 crush tyranny and fraud, and his eNpe-
rience at the front, in our civil war, should
have been made terror to deter those
reckless men from their wicked purpose.
The solemn diSapproyal of few such men
as Governor Plaisted would have prevented
the outrage which has blotted the fair
name of Maine.
But Governor Plaisted has gone fur
Their than the simple signing of that tel
egram in his endorsement OF the State
Steal BY decision of the Supreme Court
of Maine, an armed conflict, which Plais-
ted-as the AdrertiSer says-dreaded, was
ayerted. and the legally elected members
organized the Legislature. One year there
after, Gen. plsisted was elected Governor
by q small plurality of votes. In his in
augural he used the following language,
which j. capable of only one interpreta-
ton,
The provision Of our constitution which
permits the Executive or Legislature to
call upon The Court on any occasion, sol
emn or otherwise, for its opinion seems to
me wrong in principle as dangerous in
practice. Under this provision, questions
are referred % the Court, not for decision