Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-24
Campaign Letters.-NO 4.

The people of Maine have long enjoyed the
distinction of being foremost in intelligence,
industry, perseverance and integrity. Wher-
ever her sons go, or are known, this marked
distinction continues. In her own confines
she has maintained that honor and from the
great West and Northwest come men and
forces which were originally born of her soil
and principles. In the business. education
and politics of the whole country. Maine men
forge ahead and direct and influence these
More especially is this noticed in our hall.
of Congress, and in the legislative branches
Of the various States. A large proportion OF
the Governors, members of the legislatures
and members of Congress originally
Maine men, OF born of Maine parentage, and
their moral and political worth is at once APP
parent and appreciated. This much in gen
eral. But signally fortunate has been the
State in the selection of her own representa-
tives in both branches of Congress. Such
men as George Evans. Hannibal Hamlin,
William Pitt Fessenden, Lot NJ. Morrill, and
james q. Blaine have wonderfully dis
tinguished themselves in the Senate, and the
lower House has equally sustained the repu-
tation of the State
In looking back over the annals of history
in this respect, one cannot but feel exceed
ingly proud OF the record thus made And
the present has but few exceptions
With such men as FRYE and Hale in
the Senate. and Reed. and Dingley in the
House. Maine keeps up her excellent stan.
dard of public mcn-men who are able to
take foremost rank in the eounsels of the ma
ton.
1t has been the purpose as well as the good
fortune of the republican party of Maine to
select men of brains, of purpose and of
honesty, to thus represent her. And in the
olden time, when the democratic party was a
party of principle, they were almost equally
fortunate in their selections, so that we have
had no reason to be ashamed of either party
But during the past three or four wears, by
reason of the curious greenback infatuation
the people of our State have had reason to
fear that an entirely different set OF men
might come to represent her in the national
council. II is unnecessary 10 mention names
perhaps. Most of those who have taken part
in the recent political moves of the fusion
party are 40 well known by their low born
transactions and disgraceful schemes, that n
recount of names would be superfiuous. !
grant intelligence and shrewdness to some OF
them-the principal leaders: but to even
these do not and cannot grant integrity.
honesty aud the craftsmanship required at
the National Capital, where some of them
expected tn go. In these they could hold no
compariso tpthe menwi ohave RET resentedus
Their nominations of the past and OF to-day
consist of men of mediocre ability and in
telligence, as any one can see who will take
H. l., sE,.~
litical history,
make this assertion with no disposition
to disparage or discourage the working
classes, or those whose intelligence falls be-
low the average, for they are entitled to no.
tice and representation.
But tie interests Of all are better sub
serv d by being represented by men of
superior intelligence. OF decided ability and
acknowledged statesmanship, and not by
rretenders. schemers. those devoted TO
selfish and unpatriotie purposes. and of less
than common ability. What good can come
from being represented BY such man as
Thompson II. Murch, one who cannot write
grammatical sentence, or spell the longer
words, who has no parliamentary acquire
ments, no sound judgment and no base
upon which to build any statesmanship
Such man is useless as legislator. absurd
a. . statesman, blank in the quota Of
representation and a laughing stock to his
compeers. What citizen in Maine, he lie
capitalist or workman, rich. or poor, in
teliigent or unintelligent, that would not
prefer the ablest, most intelligent and best
fitted man to represent him rather than such
an example as I have mentioneds Mr..
Murch himself evidently sees his unftness
and incapacity. as he seldom offers any re-
marks or resolutions that are original.
and is more noted for his
absence than his presence in
Congress. His pretended speeches are most.
II undelivered. being printed in the Record at
his request and an analyz ration Of these show
that mort Of them are taken almost bodily
from old speeches of Peter Cooper, Geo
Weaver, and other lights of the greenback
party now defunct- Such men cannot hope
TO benefit their constituency, or make fame
for themselves. They are not. nor ever can
be, qualified. They linger around the great
forum Of wisdom and legislation, draw their