Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-09-19
Editors Letter Box
Political Memories
Editor Kennebec Journal:

fort or satisfaction out of the fact
that Governor Milliken was re-elect-
ed by 4 smaller vote than he rcceiv-
ed two years ago, and if they can
get any comfort out of the result. the
result. the Republicans will be per-
tectly willing.
But tie result Of the election was
certainly Il great Disappointing 20
many Democrats, especially candi-
Gates fer office. and those Who have
taken an active part in the cam
paign, after claiming that Milliken
was to be defeated. as well as Sena-
tor Fernald, and some of the men,
hers Of the House. and they were go
ing to elect quite a large majority
Of the members of the Legislature
and county officers, then to have
Fernald and the four congressman
reelected by much larger vote
than two years ago as we'll as 10
sheriffs and the same number of
county attorneys and fewer Demo
Gratis elected as members Of the Leg
islature, the result is a bitter plll for
them to swallow.
While our Democratic friends are
trying to get few crumbs IF COM
fort out of the result Of the recent
elections, it would be we'll for them
to consider the Governor record of
the past half century or more.
In 1879. Alonzo Garcelon Of Lewis
ton was Governor, the first Demo-
cratic Governor for some 20 wears.
and never has the State of Maine
had SO disgraCeful an administration
as that was the year of the Count
out" wren the Governor, together
with a Democratic Legislature. and
the advice and help of some ', no were
not in Office. tried to set aside the
will of the people SO as to continue
the party in power. after by Y fair
and square election the Republicans
had elected their candidate for Gov
ernor Daniel F. Davis and ma
jority Of the members Of the I-egis-
lature. and if every Democratic vot-
err in Maine would read the report OF
the legislative committee that inVes-
tieated the matter, as we'll as The de-
cision Of the supreme court regard
ing it, no intelligent. fair-minded
voter would ever again vote the
Democratic ticket
Harris NJ. PlaiSted was the next
Democratic Governor 1882; but he
failed Of a reelection. Then Trede--
ick w Plaisted was Governor one
term in 191l-12, but he, too, was net
reelected. Oakley c. Curtis was Gov
ernor in 1915-16. and at the cicte Of
his term of Office he, too. was 'ct!red
to private life, so that in the past 6o
wears Maine has had but four Demo-
cratic Governors and not single
one has been reelected!
Conditions regarding the Presidon-
CIV are very similar, for since the or
ganization of the Republican party
about 60 years ago, VIC have mad blt
two Democratic Presidents, Grover
Cleveland was President for one
term. 1885 to 1889 but was not re-
elected, as we had a Republican
President (Benjamin Harrison). At
the next election Cleveland was
again elected for one term.
Woodrow Wilson was elected Pres
ident six years ago, and reelected
two wears ago, tho first Democratic
President 20 be elected to second
consecutive tenn, and IT IS very
doubtful if he had been re-electei
hut for one claim. tand really the on :
" real issue in the last camnaign
He has kept US out of war" The
United States was not at war at
that time, but as a matter # fact
in loss than five weeks after us re-
inauguration war was ieciaFel
against Germany. During his first
administration, Wilson said the
country was too proud to tight,
bit this same country is hght1nS
now. The United States is too PROUD
to fight simply for the sake Of hshl-
ing. or for conquest, but is not now
or has been too proud to tght Tor
r;eht. tor Justice and humanity.
Every intelligent person who kept
fairly we'll posted as to the prngrt's
of tho war. fully realized the TACT
that sooner or later this country
would 10 drawn into the war, ana
shollG have gotten into it muCn soon :
e., than. it did, for there was abunh-
ant reason why we should AaNH en-
tered tho contest long ago. IL fac',
after the sinking Of the lu,ltania,
end tho actual murder IT hundreds
of mon, women and innocent emil
dren. ,he people Of a neutral ahG
friendly nation, should have gotten
INTO he war at the time When Rus-
STA was fighting valiant'y and nero
icallv IN conjunction with the olhe'
allied countries; but we were nov
rreparcd for war then, neither We're
We 4 wear AGO last April. If TINS
country had gotten into the war then.
II would nave been nearer an end
,han if is now, and with loss eH-
nenditrrc Of money and the fsicfl"
Zee of u few precious lives,
Looking oNcr the past we ma we
have had but two Democratic fleSl-
dents for GO Years, and but one re-
elected for a consecutive term
We have a government of. - ana
for the people, and the people can DC
trueted to do right the most II Inc
t;me We make mistakes occasion
Ill, inst as do individuals. but soon
ror-,fv those mistakes at the earliest
opportunity
'rhe voters Of Maine made 70 mis-
take on Sept. 9, nor will they ''gaii
for some time in the future.
H II HAYES.