New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
REPUBLICAN, PARTY RISE IN MAINE.
One Of Those Active in Original Movements
Tells Of Il.

lre giving account Of the origin Of the Repub-
lean party in several OF the States among others
. the State OF Maine. As 1 was conversaut with the
whole movement which resulted ia the orEan.za-
zion % that party in Maine. and the statements
above referred 20 iu several respects erroneous
and imperfect. 7 send you the following, which is
true - my own knowledge
In 1864 was. and Tor many years had been a
professor In Rovdoin College a.; Brunswick in that
State. u is wei known that during the early
period Of that year. tho Nebraska bill So called.
introduced into the Senate by Stephen A Douglas.
OF Illinois. by which measure So was proposed tn
ahroEate the Missouri Compromise. prohibiting the
introduction OF slavery into territory lying north a
the parallel Of &c 30 and 10 allow its introduction
into such territory provided the inhabitants thereof
should so determine, had excited heated and
crimouious discussion. not only in both branches
OF the national legislature but also I'm the public
prints and elsewhere throughout the country; and
that under the able leadership Of Douglas this OBJ
noXlous measure had passed the Senate and
nearing final vote in the House
Those who were living that time need not be
reminded OF tho intense agitation and alarm which
the aggressive action Of the South in respect TO the
slavery question the Introduction Of this measure
by Mr.. Douglas and the violent discussion OF it IN
Congress. had excited throughout the North. espe-
caIly in New England
] was myself at that time whg. bat I cher
ished q decpseatod hatred OF the institution OF
slavery as 81 existed Al the South-a hatred much
intensified ny the recent reading Of Uncle Toms
Cabin" written by Mrs. Harriet Bcecher Stowe,
wife 90 enc Of my colleagues a. Bowdoiu. OF
course. ] was much moved by what going on
az Washington. and ] awaited myself OF the oppor-
turity afforded by the May vacation in the col
lege visit the National Capitol and observe FOR
myself the fate 81 tho measure.
present in the gallery Of the House OF
Rer-eeontatiyes when the Nebraska bill. $50
fraught with destiny passed that body I need
not say that Z was profoundly affected by that
event and hN what 7 saw AZ Washington; the
naughty and ovcrhsarluE tone OF nearly every
Southern man met. the craven spirit OF the apoi
oElste and friends ~ slavery from the North. and
the sense Of discoUraEcmeut which weighed down
tho comparatively few sincere opponents OF the in
stutiou and OF its further extension who ventured
20 lift I'D their voices against the omnOus move
meuts then in progress. I returned 10 Maine fully
determined to use whatever influence 7 possessed
10 bring together and consolidate into one effective
body thc various elements 81 opposition to the
further extension OF slavery. which knew existed
iu the various political parties in the State and
AS my official position gave a wide acquaintance
among the prominent men IN all the political par
tics D had strong hopes ~ ultimate success. In
pursuance of this object. Immediately after my re
turn from Washington 7 made visit 20 Portland.
20 take counsel upon tho subject with my old
friend General Samuel Fessenden. who al that
time stood az the head OF the bar n Maine. He
was well known. was man OF cool and sound
Judgment strongly opposed 20 slavery. and his
opinions carried greet weight I proposed 10 him
that we-he and mysef-should communicate with
our respective friends in the State and get their
views TO the e1pediency Of organizing Repub-
Hcan party in Maine. On the belief that were the
opponents 90 slavery. known 10 be numerous In
both the Whie and Democratic parties. the Free
Sellers and AboItionsts. all brought together
under a strong or-1nizatIon and wise leadership.
Tho control of thsrsate might be- vrested from the
grasp 81 The Democracy. al that time the dominant
power fra IT, and the new party become a powerful
influence Tor good iu both the State and the nation
General Fesseudcu entered heartily into my
views. We agreed 70 take the course suggested
and 30 was arranged between us that IN case tht
responses inquiries should be generally
favorable. and as coon a. on the whole IL should
"t % 4a-. tAteltil y f'lelt .-s ~,
called % TAKE the requ.s.te action "a Lhe PREMISE
- ss7orislv --euertisl hi The state and some
many Democrat whom We had hoped 10 influence.
Fyeu such men as General Fessendens eldest son.
william Pitt Fessenden then a member Of Con
Morrill,. an. subsequently,. highly distinguished IN
s aS % ortr Could not then see their way
clear 10 lend their aid 10 the conternplatcG move
Nm Sl-t a. 20 Sfsfe hailed tho suggestion Of "a
party iu the State both opporfune ana feasinle-
caution and deliberarion. and TO defer the calling
Of a state convention until public sentiment should
. faror7a more pronounced
AIeanvliIe the wings Of the I'D Congress Dis
held their convention carry u June q. Aelluil
nominate cardllate Tor ~ itseii "a ~
desired 20 secure that nomination. and he invited
10 attend the convention as delegate from
found - my great satisfactory Ii-el a laLss bI3
portion Of the delegates were or my W. OF JlIh
10 the convention. They took strong ground M de-
nunciation q the Nebraska bin and in opposition
10 the further extension Of slavery: they deplored
. The aggressive attitude Of the friends Of slavery
both North and South. and called upon all lovers
joct the whole country &c the bancfu influence Of
that institution 20 unite unoeT Common banner
. not deemed wise, however. for "a district couVen-
. ton. representing only comparatively small part
ton % the new pa~tv- but rather 20 watch the
growth Of public sentiment 10 promote that groWtn
70 can a state convention and organize the Re
publican party Of Maine. The resolutions were
soon after resigned my office In the college, 70
take effect at the following commencement. early
Of my friends proposed that should be one OF the
four persons 70 represent the county or Cufnoet
. weeks thereafter. T was nominated for that office
. al a convention held a. Portland late in August.
Der 81 the bar Of Portland. and two other men OF
tho county, was duly elected
When the legislature assembled on January 3,
1895 we were eratined 10 ind that thirty out OF
thirty-one members ~ the Senate, and or the l5l
fr hearty sympathy with the movement They be-
leved that the moment for decisive ACTON had
solved therefore Immediately 10 call a state con-
vention 10 meet At Augusta for the purpose OF duly
organising the I2epuhllcan party OF MAINE Inc
call was promptly issued s,
highly influential and intelligent body q men from
AN parts 81 the State IN numbers sufficient with
such members q the legislature as. by invitation
one OF the largest halls IN Augusta. -.
A. this historic convention NJ Evans. W lIilaIn
NJ. Morrill, and others whom we would nave nten
4 glad TO welcome were not present. but governor
others 81 the citizens Of the State were pres
EFT and anxious "a take par "a me T b,, '' fr