The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-04-02
An Old Time Political Quarrel.

The Democratic State Convention in 1888,
which nominated Robert Z. Dunlap for gov
ernor, an inharmonlous gathering. The
minority We're for renominating Gov. Samuel
f. Smith. On . motion to make the nomina-
ton unanimous pretty warm debate arose.
The first speaker was the Hon. Robert Goode-
now of Pennington. who opposed the motion
He was followed by the Hon. Jonathan Cilley
He said his duty to his constituents would not
admit of his voting for the resolution, nor
would he allow his silence to be construed as in
any way favoring the vote of the convention
he did not think the change called for by the
Democratic Republicans of the state, although
| 1t seems the convention had thought otherwise
Public bodies dc not at all times perform the
wish of their constituents. He then alluded to
the feeble and euuvocal manner in which the
legislature responded to the Nuiticaton Pro-
clamation last winter, and said that some of
those who were instrumental in getting up thi~
| convention, did 1en say that it contained Fed
eral doctrine. MI e. intmaed that these men,
the leaders in this conventions were the abet-
tors of notification strongly imbued with the
| to the Proclamati Ii. The present contest. he
said. was not concerning men, but principles.
| and SO regarding 1t, he and his constituents
were ready to meet it. Although the great
body of the people might be deceived on this
point for il time there would surely be a re-
action; he and his constituents were ready to
uphold the true Republican doctrine regardIes,
could not say less Hon. Rufus X. Goodenow
then concurred in Mr.. CiIley's view. also those
OF Robert Goodenow. Hon. Nathan Clifford
remarked that he was rejoced that much
| unanimlty prevailed among members of this
| convention-perfeCt unanimity WAS not to be
expected in an assembly so numerous. This is
hot boys conventon but an assembly of men.
Why sir, although several gentlemen have eX-
pressed an opinion that the man selected was
not their choice, but one gentleman says that
he shall oppose the nominee at the polls. Tn,
gentleman from Thuma,ton (Mr. Ciilel) had
made many charges, and thrown out several in-
situations against nobody knows who. con-
ntcted with the proceedings of last winter III
| our legislature-he had spoken of notification
and secession, things that had died long ago,
aye and were buried too-whose ghosts the
gentleman would call up to pursue Us. For hi
part he could not perceive what nuIliculion or
the proceedings of the last legislature had to de-
with the business Of the present meeting; that
gentleman in speaking of notification had onfs
repeated the stale matter from the Federal
prints he did not refer to such a source for his
creed as the federal gaz4tte>. No individual
| had been accused, but at Il proper time in tn
proper place, he a. ii member of the last egi>Ia-
ture. should be ready and willing to defend ID,
course OF conduct which he bad pursued. The
whole proceedings Of the convention had been
in accordance with the Usage of the Democratic
Republican party, with which Fedrrali,t- had
always found fault; that the people would III
Oh this As upon similar occasions confirm lh"j.
proceedings; that the resolve ouiy pledged th
delegates present to support lhr candidate who
had been nominate Il. and not th' ir cou>litu-
rnts. That Governor Smith was placed in tnr
same situation in which Mr. Dunlap wi,
placed in a former convention. The table, h.,t
now turned and Dunlap had the majority, In
| he language of auuih.r,"I could not have said
les, dn not wish to say more" Mr.. Gill, y
| observed, that flom some remarks from The
| gentleman from Nrwfitd (Mr C,ih3ld) h,
| felt il his duty to state the Reasons Why me u.-
| lroducrd the subject Of Modification before TIM
| convention. tic wa aware, he said, that il
was touching a tender point TO some gentle
| men; hr had. however, introduced it It. an IL
| lustralion Of his remarks wherein he had OBJ
| served, that majvrtie> sometimes do wrong.
| He might 20 >l farther and ctIl on certain
| gentlemen Who had taken the most active par
| in this convention to rrcovut how UNIV Hing
they were in the session Of the last Legislature
to respond fully and cordially to The sentiments
of our worthy Presidents Proclamation on tn
| Subject Of NuIilicalion. lie ob>rrl ed that hc
we'll recoIircltd the reasons that were ofr,d
| by them al that time; 'it contained Federal
doctrines" 1T was approved by the Federal
| party" For one, Mr. q. continued, he was re-
| juiccd 10 find when such momeLtous subject
which at that time shook the Union as it wcr,
| to the centre and made the ,toutest heart
| ;rembIe for the permanency of our Institutions
and our glorious Union. he rcjoiced 10 find Fed
| eralist> patriotic enough for once to approve OF
President Jackson'- course on tnat subject
| Was that any reason why he should refuse I,
| respond to ii: He was firm in the opinion thai
great majority of the Democratic party in
our State We're fully and cordially with thu
| President. And he had the salts sfactory proof
disguise it they might, that there We're thost
in the STATE who We're thoroughly opposed tc
the doctrine contained in tn Proclamation. IL
| regard to the nomination that had been made
| he was not surprised at the result From Wha
| prepared to witness the nomination of MI
| Dunlap. He had repeatedly warned the par
of its conseqnt nces-he felt it his duty 50 to do
| He shGuld oppose his election; principles wer,
everything; and he believed the Democrat,
| party in Maine were not prepared to sucrifc,
| everything to the dictaIon of Il caucus. Sir,
must act for my self alone, and will walk with
out fear guided 10y the feeble light of my owl
conscience Sir. | will detain the convention
no longer. Mr.. Citleys speech. of which w
| give only part, was replied to by Ebenez
| knowton, Sr., of Montville. who drnouucct
him a treacherou> enemy of the part l-as n,
| Democrat. The resolutions We're passed mi,
loud cheers BY the Dunlap men. The vote o
ThomaStun stood that year, Goodenow, WhiE
Ia; Dunlap, Democrat, 1S2; Samuel +. Saith
boting Democrat supported hy Mr.. Cilk-y
219; Hill ami Mason, T. W. H. SMITH