The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-08
Gen. Chamber lain's Attitude.
He Has No Intention of Voting for Cleve-
land.

correspondent of the Boston Herald called
upon Gen. Chamberlain in Brunswick We'd
nesday and asked him about the report that
he was going to vote for Cleveland. Gen. Cham
berlain said
81 have not written or spoken or authorized
word to be said as to my attitude IN this
campaign"
"Bnt will you not say now what your inten-
ton IS, and thus satisfy the general desire to
know your position?"
81 have no intention whatever OF supporting
Cleveland" said Gov. Chamberlain, and then
he hesitated. He went on: 81 am Republic
can, because my convictions are that the Re-
publican party has been the party of construc-
tive ideas, according to which this country
must move forward end do not see now any
better prospect for the interests of the country
than that which lies in the direction of Repub-
lican ideas and principles"
How is it, since you have always been a
Republican, that you account for the wide Cir
culation of these rumors?"
"They have very likely grown out of the
fact that l have declined to be brought into
prominence in the various demonstrations that
have been made in ratification or support of
the nominations, and also because the ring men
OF the party lave abused me so that they think
it impossible that could support the party
under their management. My sympathies
have been and are with the conservative or re-
form element of the Republican party. had
hoped this would have had more expression
and influence in the present canvass My dis
appointment does not, however, lead me to the
support of Cleveland, as has been the case with
many of my friends in other states"
why, then, do you not take an active part
in the canvass in this state and elsewhere, as
you have been urged to do?"
"Not because l do not cordially agree with
the mass of the people who constitute the Re-
publican party in these states, but for general
I'll n
specially because the present candidacy ap-
pears to confirm the ascendancy of a class OF
men in the party whose measures and meth
DDS have not approved, who have sought to
use the Republican party for selfish, personal
ends, and thus injured the party and reduced
Its great majorites. AS matters lie, no one
can be better contented than am with my
situation as merely private citizen"
us there not something inconsistent IN
this?"
mo, sir. 1t is the consistent and manly
course for me. There is such thing as stand
ing by the principles of party, and Yet not
vouching for, or committing ones self to.
everything in its platform or every candidate
that may be brought forward. That which
holds the mass of the people to their parties is
the vital, living, working element in them,
rather than platforms or candidates. AS
things are, the Republican sparty can only sue.
coed by the election of Mr. Blaine I think
he will be elected; aud it appears to me in
evitable that the course OF his administration
will give occasion for a rectifcation of party
lines, so that the thoughtful and sincere men
who hold to the high ideals of the Republican
party will be enabled to act together, and with
effect"
"How much do you think the charges
against the conduct of the candidates affect
the minds OF voters?"
"The moral character of a candidate for
high office is matter of grave importance,
and the people feel this deeply. 1 think this
consideration will very much affect the deci-
sion of many as to their vote in the coming
election"
The substantial correctness of this statement
of Gen. Chamberlain's position appears to be
confirmed by the following, which is published
as being an extract from a private letter from
him to friend in Boston:
There is no authority for the statement that
l shall vote for Cleveland. 1t probably grew
out of the feeling on the part of some Of the
"ring men" in the Republican party that they
had abused me so much that 1t would be more
than human Tor less) to expect me to support a
party they expected to manage. But 1 am g
Republican, and deem 1t the best course fol
me to stand by my party, in hopes that before
long the best elements 10 il will be able to pre-
vail I do not reb1ke others with whom
sympathize on general grounds for taking
course different from mine; but for me tt
abide quietly within the lines of the party
seems the consistent and manly course.