Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-18
Portland Press.l
A MEMORABLE CONVENTION.
THE FIRST DELEGATE REPUBLICAN
STATE CONVENTION IN MAINE-How
Hon. HANNIBAL HAMLN BECAME
GovERNoR-SoMETHING ABOUT HIS
LAST ELECTION AS SENATOR.

The Republican State convention in
1856 was the first State assembly Of del
egates held by this party in Maine. 1t
was composed Of 1856 members repre-
senting every section. No gathering
ever had a more important bearing upon
our political history. In moral worth
and ability none ever was superior In the
country. II met TO take measures TO re-
sist the extension of slavery and was
composed of men who had been political
antagonists for a lifetime upon other
issues. The Missouri Compromise had
been repealed, and approval of that act
was then test of fealty to the Democrat
&c party. The Wing party met its Wa
terloo in 1852. Seven-eighths Of it in
our State under tie lead of William Pitt
Fessenden became Republicans, while
the balance followed George Evans, Eben
F. Pillsbury and Marcellus Emery into
the Democratic party, and became the
most intolerant portion of that party,
and during the war were noted for their
disloyal acts.
As look over the names of the men
who were active Republicans at that
time, | find that the great majority of
them have passed away. Hardly one of
the officers or single member Of the
committee is known to our politics now.
The convention met in Deering hall
July s, 1856. 1t was called to order by
Edward Fenno Of Augusta who was
chairman of the State committee chosen
at a mass meeting the previous year.
Hon. Sidney Perham was chosen tempo
rary chairman; Charles w. Goddard,
VIM. NJ. Rust, Samuel Waterhouse and
Benjamin f. Cutter, Secretaries. The
committee on permanent organization re-
ported the name Of well known me-
chanic for president, viz. : Hon. Free
man H. Morse of Bath. He was a self
made man, block maker by trade, and
one OF our able men. He would be
stranger to our people to-day, for he has
resided in London, England, for the past
twenty years. He was in the legislature
from Bath for years, and six years IN
Congress, and the candidate OF the Wing
party for governor in 1915. A leading
southern statesman had called our me-
chanics mud sills and it seemed appro-
pirate to select one to preside at the con-
vention. A vice president from each
county was chosen. In the account by
the Portland advertiser of the next day,
Knox County is not mentioned. The list
is as follows:
York-Henry Kingsbury.
Cumberland-AndrewT L. Dole.
Oxford-Rufus X. Goodenow.
Observation-Disclosures Garcelon.
Kennebec-Gustavu A. Cushman.
Franklin-BeDjamin +. Eastman.
Somerset-Abuer Coburn.
Sagadahoc-Marshall S. Hager.
Lincoln-Wm. S. Cochran.
waldo-Wm. McGilvery.
Hancock-John Bridges.
Penobscot-Lysander Cutler.
scataquis-Stephen Lowell.
Observation-Disclosures Blake.
Neutrality-suspicious. j. Copeland.
The State Committee chosen was:
Cumberland-George Libby.
Oxford-Mark II. Dunnell.
Kennebec-John L. Stevens.
Androscoggin-Alonz Garcelon.
Sagadahoc-John S. Baker.
Franklin-Charles J. Talbot.
Penobscot-Henry f. Prentiss.
Piscataquis-Joseph Kelsey.
Acknowledgements d. Metcalf.
York-James NJ. Deering.
Somerset-BeDjamin w. Norris.
Waldo-Thomas II. Marshall.
Hancock-Wyer G. Sargent.
washington-George Downs.