Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-06-06

towns and agricultural communities Is infu-
enced largely by the views that are enter
tanned there touching public questions and
matters OF legislation.
But while there is this wide difference in
regard to one phase of this proposition, we
certainly should remember that the prohibi-
tory law is n law 81 the State. found on the
statute books and incorporated into the con-
| stitution, and we, as iaw-abiding and iaw-re-
specting citizens, should be In favor OF its
endorsements as long as It remains on the
statute book, the same any other law.
II Is cur proud boast that every provision
on the statute books for the promotion of
temperance was put there by the republican
party, and in every state platform we have
favored and in many instances demanded the
strict enforcement Of the prohibitory law;
yet when confronted by enforcement such as
the platform demands. we hesitate, wayer and
some of as fall, while others suddenly de-
yelop strong democratic symptoms and senti-
| ment.
Gen Grant once said that the best way to
get rid of a bad law was to enforce IL; am
not admitting that the prohbitory law Is a
| bad law, but believe that we are all ready TO
stand that test with the prohibitory law. Let
| all its friends demand fair and reasonable
enforcement In every county; let that enforce
ment be as vigorous and rigid as for any
| criminal law, and IL the law proves to be not
good and impractical, then am sure it's
friends will accept the situation and be the
FIRST to step up to the ballot box and put In a
vote for its repeal; not till then viii we null
lily Il and set it aside.
Two years ago, after a most bitter and
aggressive campaign, we nominated and
elected the Hon. w. T. Cobb rs governor OF
this State-nominated and elected him on a
platform In which we re-echoed all our past
demands aud sentiments In regard to tenn
pcrance. the prohibitory law and its enforce-
ment; nominated and elected him on a plat
form bubbling over with devotion to the
republican party and its principles.
Now, the governor OF this State is not
fanatic. but on the contrary, clear headed,
honest and courageous executive OF law and
order, man who has taken the republican
party and the republican platform at its word,
and has endeayored by policy OF enforce
ment to carry out the sentiment of the repub-
lican platform. A few weeks ago. before the
republican club of Deering, the chief exccu-
tive of the State, in a speech, which In my
opinion no other governor of the State in
the past twenty-five years has had the ability
70 write and the courage to deliver, stated
frankly, candidly, and without reserve his
opinion of the political situation rs it exists
to-day.
honor the man, gentlemen, who has the
courage of his convictions. 1t may be
unpopular, for the moment for him to advo-
cate them, but believe in the principles OF
eternal Justice, and that Justice will ulti-
mately prevail, and the time has come when
William r. Cobb is recognized and honored
because of the courage he has displayed
In standing for his convictions, and as long
as courage, consistency and brains are recog-
nized as desirable qualifications in governor,
so long viii the voters of this State remember
and admire the Hon. w, r. Cobb.
| We are ali familiar with the criticism from
outside sources of Maine, its people, and its
temperance problem, but Maine has proved
herself strong enough and fertile enough to
furnish more than her share OF wise and rare
men In every field Of human activity, and
believe that we can settle within our own
borders this question in all it's phases.
The geographical well as the political
situation of our State is peculiar. She is the
buffer state OF the Union; the first to receive
the storm and danger of old ocean; she has
for ages been the butt of all the fury and rag
ing OF the Atlantic. and how nobly and how
majesticaliy has our coast withstood the
storm of centuries!
The first rays of the rising sun as It energies
from its ocean bed fall full and fair on our
grand old State, and in all It's journey across
the heavens until il hides itself behind the
western hills 1t shines on no better, brayer or
more intelligent people.
The early settlers of our State were men
and women of character and intelligence, of
rugged constitution, God-fearing, law-re-
speeding and iaw-abiding. With hearts that
knew no fear and with spirits undaunted, they
left home and friends and turned their
faces toward the wilderness. From the very
FIRST theirs was struggle for existence, q
struggle with the elements and with hard
ships of every description on land and sea.
With untiring energy they removed all OBJ
stacles, and with hopeful hearts surmounted
all difficulties, until at last the ocean was
conquered,the rivers and streams subdued, and
: | the rough unyielding soil forced to give forth
! its increase; villages, towns, cities sprang
into existence, schoolhoases everywhere dot
the hills and plains, and In every community
the church-spires point toward heaven.
Such was the character and such were the
experiences of the early settlers of our State,
and as the result of such experiences and
| hardships, there has been developed strong,
sturdy and reliant generation of men who are
able to think, act and speak for themselves in
| all matters of public concern, and when the
| crimson torch of autumn shall touch the
maple-crested hills of this grand old State |
sincerely hope that we will go forth to the
polls with the determination to give to the
nominees OF the county, district and State
, conventions genuine, cld-fashioned republi-
can majority.
/ thank you for your courteous attention to
| these rambling remarks, andinow, gentlemen
OF the convention, the chair awaits your
pleasure.
DR.. Grindle, for the committee on cre-
dentials, reported al delegates duly