The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-06-22

| Wnen the Republicans met at Port
land on June 5, 1862, to select a can
didate for governor the country was
in the throes of the Civil war with a
dubious outlook for the country.
Millions of money and thousands of
lives had been expended to crush the
rebellion but Mcclellan was ON the re-
treat from his costly attempt to take
Richmond and the fortunes of the
North were at their lowest ebb. In
Maine 1t should be understood that
James G. Blaine was now the chair
man of the Republican State com
mittee and the party boss and
/ though he was called the easy boss.
which he WAS as long as he had his
own way, yet If anyone got in his
way and ignored a gentle hint or two.
to step aside. he could ride over them
with as little of the compunctious Wis
things of nature. as ever did Crom-
well or Napoleon.
/ The convention was called to order
by Blaine and Sidney Perham was
made temporary and later permanent
chairman over the 65S delegates.
TIE HAND OF BLAINE.
There was a sharp contest over the
were not residents of the towns and
plantations to which they were cred
| tied These delegates were brought
to. or came to the convention in the
interest of Abner Coburn.
Remote plantations in the vastly
northern wilderness, that never had
dozen permanent inhabitants. and
some more were represented by
husky lumbermen in red flannel
shirts and top boots, who were much
more at home in steering boom OF
logs through the rips of the upper
Kennebec than in political conVen-
ton in the distant metropolis of the
State. They maintained however a
discreet silence in the presence of
their betters and made no mistake as
to whom to vote for governor, when
they lined UP with their county dele
cation.
These nonresident delegates were
at first refused recognition, but Blaine
came to their rescue in an ingenious
speech. which carried the day and
thereby elected Coburn for the can
didate for governor.
This was Blaines first victory and
it is singular fact that it was won
ny InG Hal IOW MAI Sin vi a OIA6iC
vote.
The vote that admitted Coburns
nomads had a far reaching influence
upon both our State and National
politics. it being a history maker far
beyond what any of the delegates re-
allied, for if the Republican native
leaders had made their stand then
against Blaine's rather doubtful
tI,.I = i,,fy ha t1Aa Hon If
Coburn, his power would have been
broken at the critical moment, and
how different might our political his
tory read.
PEOPLES CONVENTION.
The war Democrats who supported
Jameson, the year before called a
Peoples Convention" to meet at
Bangor, June 26. over which Allen
Haines- of Portland presided with 300
delegates in attendance. The resolu-
tons called for the suppression of the
Rebellion Endorsed Gen. Mcclellan and
again nominated Col Jameson for
Governor over Bion Bradbury by 166
to LOG votes.
The regular Democrats delayed
calling their convention until within
three weeks of the election, this delay
being made to await the result of the
march of Lees entire army, that by
forced marches was on the way to
capture Washington and if successful
probably invade the North and it was
but 10 days before, that Lincoln had
made "A call for 100000 men to fill the
Union armies. The meeting of the
Democrats was therefore at crit-
cal time. when at every moment Ii
was expected the news might burst
upon the assembled delegates that
the Federal capital was in the hands
of the rebels and Lees hordes were
on their way to Philadelphia and New
York and perhaps they would push on
to Boston and Portland to burn, sink
and destroy
Luther Moore of Limerick was tenn
porary and permanent chairman with
431 delegates reported, but only 29l
votes were thrown for Governor The
committee ON resolutions had a deli
cate duty to perform as none of the
delegates had any great love for the
Republican administration at Wash
ington.
A INDUSTRIOUS DOGMA.
The committee made happy strad-
die by affirming THAT the purpose of
the Democratic party is the restora-
ton of the Union as 1t was and the
Constitution as it is. and to secure
these objects We stand shoulder to
shoulder with Union men everywhere,
etc"
But concluding resolutions took a
fall or two out of the Lincoln regime,
ono declaring il a "monstrous dogma
that the Constitution could ever be
suspended in time of war"
An organ reported that the resolu-
lions were adopted with gratifying
unanimity" after which Bion Brad
bury then of Washington, but after
wards of Portland, was named for
Governor.
The party editors professed to be
delighted with the results of the con
vention, especially the nomination OF
Bradbury, which they were certain
would result in the entire reunion of
the Democracy of Maine and the divi-
sions. which have hitherto prevailed
In our councils and paralyzed our
strength, will be heard of no more we.
trust forever These editors were
also certain that as Bradbury was
moderate war Democrat 1t would
be certain that Jameson would with
draw. and the united Democracy
would march on to glorious victory,
THE WAR A FAILURE.
The sober facts were that the re-
suits were satisfactory to scarcely