Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-19
How the Greenbackers Were De-
ceived In the Campaign of 1880
by Harris NJ. Plaisted.

Mr.. p. II. Gordon Of Portland. furnishes
the following interesting letter for publica-
ton, giving an inside view Of the movements
by which the greenbackers were cheated in
1880. The letter is published in Scion
Chase's paper "Them Steers:
PORTLAND, May Is, 1882.
UNCLE SoLoN The letter Of Governor
Plaisted to s. A. Berry, published in the
Portland City Item May IL, was written last
February and has been in the possession of
greenbackers of this city for some time, and
the purpose for which it was written is well
known to them; it has been read to green
hackers here by the friends of Plaisted where
it was supposed it would do the most good.
and it is well understood that there are copies
of it in circulation In different sections Of the
State for the same purpose, to be read where
il would do the most good. Now it was well
understood by Plaisted and his friends that
declaration of this kind would be necessary
before he went again before the people for a
denomination. He il now to assume again
the hypocritical greenback garb and continue
the play Of the role of Judas which he has
been playing from the moment he was nomi-
mated, until the present time. Brother green
hackers, do you remember how thoroughly
he pledged himself to the greenback party
and no other in the convention that nominated
him? He stood up before that convention of
1000 delegates thoroughly imbued with the
spirit Of our fore-fathers, representing 90, 900
voters of the honest yeomanry Of this CON-
monwealth, and said no man was worthy to
receive the nomination from such body Of
men, declaring himself q greenbacker from
the top of his head to the soles of his
feet and received the nomination,
and hnjv proud If eho NOS ss;,p th.,
he took in open convention, and said the con-
vention was all straight, and As ]. NJ. Todd
in his open letter to MIR. Chase said 'Uncle
Scion you said the convention was straight IS
H. everybody said 50, and 90 it was as far as
the convention was concerned, but shortly
after the convention, il was whispered about
that there was trade made with the demo
Gratis. No, says the state committee and
delegates, the convention was all straight
As time passed along it was talked about even
by Plaisted himself and the redoubtable
Thomas, that in case the General was elected,
that We should be under great obligations to
the democrats and their elaine should be
considered, that there was . sort Of tacit
agreement aud implied understanding that
the greenbackers should adopt joint cleo
toral ticket with the democratic party. The
idea existed and was avowed by some, that
there was trade made, and there was, but
not by the convention, but by individuals
who took upon themselves an awful response
bility, and who will be held accountable to the
greenback part. 1t is we'll known that the
democratic convention was holden on the
same day and At the same place of the green
back convention which nominated Piaisted.
and il 10 we'll known also that the democratic
state committee. Bion Bradbury and other
democratic leaders, proposed that there be a
committee raised BY each party, and thar
they center together and an arrangement
be agreed -, By which Piaissed should
Il. : trade b made between The parties.
This arrangement the sreenhackers would