Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-27
at JsaaiIu kennehel 5nurnal.

Jorlty OF persons OF the present generatlon,
some reliable data relative to this phase
of politics in this State may not be with
out interest to our readers. The Bidde-
ford Journal recently published an article
on this subject, which gives some facts Of
political history showing conclusively how
little real held Knownothingism ever OBJ
tanned in Maine and how adverse to its
ascendency was Mr.. Blaine when young
man of twenty-five. We give below the
more essential portion of the Biddeford
Journal article:
The history of that organization in Maine.
so far as are able to learn, is substantially
as follows. We are unable to ascertain with
absolute Ger iainty by whom it was first intro
duced in the State. 1t made its appearance
at period when slavery was the burning,
the all controlling question in the country,
and there was general tendency of the vot-
ing citizens To take their places in two great
parties-the pro-slavery and anti slavery
parties. The Missouri compromise had beef
repealed and and bold atrocious and widely
xtended effort was being made to add to the
area of slavery the immense virgin territory.
now composing the great States of Kansas
and Nebraska and the fugitive slave law
with all its infamous provisions was being
enforced even in the free North, with ball
and bsyOnet. The question of freedom as
against the increasing demands of slavery was
the issue heated 10 a white heat, which alb
sorbed and consumed all other issues as the
burning, flame melts wax and consumes dried
straw.
In Maine, the opponents of slavery in 1854
were in three ranks-the anti Nebraska
wings, the Morrill, democrats, and the free
sellers. Arrangements resulted in fusing
them on the came candidates generally
throughout the State. with Arson Z. Morrill,
as the nominee for governor. Long ruled by
the democratic party. whose absolute control
was in the hands of the slave power, none
but those who experienced the saddened
history, and shared the intense anti slavery
feelings of that period can now realize to
what degree the anti-slavery men of Maine
then hoped for the formation and ascendency
of the party of freedom, and how much they
feared that their bright prospects might be
blasted The sudden appearance of the
know-nothing organization caused alarm.
In New York and other States it was deadly
hostile to the rising party of Freedom. to
William II. Seward and his numerous sup
Dorters who were doing their utmost to con-
struct barrier against the aggressive march
of the slave power. and was seeking to drive
him from political life Should it be allowed
to strike down the gathering party of Liberty
in Maine, and aid the success of the demo
cratic party ? 1t was resolved by many of
the anti-slavery men that they would take the
bull by the horns, allow the organization, if
possible, but temporary existence, and not
Al Il
1t was found that both pro slavery and anti
slavery men had joined it, Soon came the
struggle for its control. This began before
the September election of 1854. Some wished
a candidate for governor not then in nomina-
ton by either of the other parties. Others
desired to endorse the democratic or straight
whig candidate, according to their proclivi
ties. The anti slavery men found themselves
in majority and endorsed Arson =. Morrill,
the candidate already nominated by
the anti. slavery wings, the free
sellers, and the anti-Nebraska demo-
Gratis. This was only few days before the
election, at which Morrill, received A 800
votes, Most of these Morrill, would have
received without the endorsement of the anti
slavery portion Of the Know Nothings, for
with most of his supporters their anti-slavery
sentiments were uppermost and controlling.
The contest in the organization did not cease,
the ultra Know Nothings and those of pro-
slavery prOclivities were soon to go perma-
ncntlv to their allegiance as democrats. or
become democrats if they had been pro
slavery wings. Some who have been in
recent years prominent in the leadership of
the democratic party of Maine, if we mistake
not were Know Nothings, and among them
those who most earnestly opposed the
c,,1I
up the organization and resisted its destruc
tive prosCriptivc doctrines. 1t was owing to
the prevalence of this policy of the majority
that no prospective measures were passed by
the republican legislature.
The majority of the citizens who belonged
temporarily to that organization in Biddeford
are no longer living. They were of our most
respectable citizens. members of our church.
es, our best mechanics and business men.
Lovers Of peace and good order. capable of
defending themselves, they were not agrees
sors on the rights of others. What the dem
ocratic newspapers now saw against them in
these regards IS gross libel on the hring
and the dead
John l.. Stevens, thirty years ago n resi-
dent of Biddeford. needs no defense. Always
an intense and uncompromising anti-slavery
man. who had even defied the fugitive slave
law by aiding the painting, fleeing slave across
the line to Canada, he was for short time a
member of the knoS-nothing organization,
winch he Joined solely for anti-slavery rea-
sons, and we understand he attended its
meetings but twice. A political pupil OF
VIM. II Seward, and long his earnest sup
porter, he never held the distinctive doctrines
of the knOw-nothingS, but like his great leader
was emphatically opposed to them. From
the day he became member of the organic
alton he resolved to aid to his utmost in
breaking it up and getting it out of the way
as soon as practicable. From that resolution
he never swerved until success was achieved
If it had temporarily resulted in helping to
smash and defeat the pro slavery party of the
State, he had no tears to shed. When he
became one of the editors of the Kennebec
Journal, in partnership with James G. Blaine
early in January, 1855, his hostility to the
distinctive doctrines of the know nothing was
/ well known to his friends. Early in the
winter of 1855. and few DAYS after Mr.
! Stevens became connected with the Kennebec
| Journal, it was determined to complete the
organization of the republican party in the
| State by consolidating the men of different
! political antecedents who then thought
| alike on the great and overshadowing
issues before the country 1t was arranged
to call a State convention at Augusta, Feb
22d, the birthday of Washington. George
! w. Ingersoll of Bangor, then a member OF
the legislature, subsequently Attorney Gener
al, wrote the call, which. after being slightly
! SeJ h.-N NJ hrh o;r