The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-09-20
MASSACHUSETTS.

The Massachusetts Republicans yesterday
did what was expected of them after Mr.
Pierce took himself out of the list of can
didates; they nominated Congressman
George D. Robinson ofChicopee, clean and
able man who from the beginning has been
regarded as a strong candidate and would
easily have stood first in the preference of
the delegates and of the people if it had not
been for his indisposition to abandon field
OF public service where he had acquired dis
tinction and where opportunities Of useful
ness and honor were opening before him
which made abandonment of it even TO &C
cept the goyernorship Of the State personal
sacrifice. As long therefore as there was a
prospect that others, differently situated,
would be willing to take up the burden he
discouraged all mention of his name as a
candidate. The Republicans of the Con-
gressional district, the old Berkshire dis
trict, who had often honored and were proud
OF him did not care to lose his services in
Congress and they strongly insisted upon
the nomination of some one else.
10 spite of these considerations large
minority of the delegates chosen were favora-
BILE to him and when Mr. Pierce, on the night
before the convention met peremtorily with
drew, although his nomination was assured
If he would allow it, there was cordial raj
lying around Mr.. Robinson whose vote was
undoubtedly larger than that of Mr.. Pierce
would have been had he remained candi-
date. When Charles Francis Adams, Jr., the
leader of the Independents on the floor,
moved to make the nomination unanimous
1t was done with abundant enthusiasm.
While the independents would have pre-
ferred another they recognize in Mr.. Robin
inson an upright, able and honorable candi-
date and unquestionably the great majority
OF them will give him an earnest and efic-
lent support, as the representative in this
contest of all the influences opposed to what
is worst In politics.
1t is not the custom of Republicans in Mas
sachusetts tie 'sread out of the party'' men
who are Jealous to have the party take the
highest and most advanced position on the
questions of the day and to nominate for office
men whose fidelity to principles is unques-
tionable. Nor do they shoot as deserters
men who do not always vote for it's eandi-
dates. Accordingly many who were conspic-
uous in the conference of independents at
Toung's Hotel few weeks ago were also
conspicuous members of the convention.
having been chosen in the caucuses, sure
sign that they represent somebody besides
themselves. Nobody questioned their right
to be in Republican convention. 1t was
Governor Butler, who, in Republican con-
vention few years ago, demanded that a
delegate should be turned out because he
had been heard to say he would not support
Butler If he were nominated
The campaign which will begin at once
because it is not necessary to wait for
the Democratic party to make its nomina-
ton before knowing what the conditions of
this contest will be, it will be a hot and
disagreeable one. Every campaign in
which General Butler figures prominently
is certain to be a nasty one at least on his
side. There is no meanness, no scandal, no
political foulness to which he does not re-
sort, and any man who comes in opposition
to him must expect to be assailed in the
manner of blackguard. Mr.. Robinson
will have to take his share of reviling
and so will every man who promi-
nently supports him. But any assault on
Mr.. Robinson's character will not shake
the confidence of intelligent men who know
his standing and his course, and wherever
Mr.. Robinson himself appears he will invite
confidence by his bearing and his
great power of reasonable and con-
yincing speech. His popularity in
his own district, in the State at large and
In Congress has grown steadily He is a
fair-dealing and persuasive speaker and will
make friends in every audience he address
es. He is a strong candidate and he will
have the best wishes of good Republicans
everywhere for his success. We believe it
is possible to defeat General Butler this
year and that Mr.. Robinson will bring out
the whole strength of the party if any man
could do it.