Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-30

State Of Maine Politics
Boston Transcript

President Coolidge is not responsible for the con-
dlon of the Republican party in the State of Maine
today. Neither is General Dawes. The record of the
Republican Congress is not responsible Neither are
the Republican governors of the other New England
States. The blame for the plight of the party of
Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt in the State
indissolubly linked with the names and fame of James
G. Blaine and Thomas B. Reed and William P. Frye
and long list of distinguished Republican leaders
contributed by the Republicans of Maine to the Repub
hcans of the Nation, is divided responsibility
divided between Governor Baxter and the Republican
nominee to succeed him-Mr. Brewster. Under the
administration of the one, the Republican party in
Maine through its ttular leader has lodged the chal
lenge of the Ku Klux Khan and lirted with pacifsm
of the Wisconsin brand AS candidate for the Re-
publican nomination for Mr. Brewster coured
the support of the Khan by his silence, and since his
nomination he has been afraid to risk the opposition
of the Khan by repudating its support condemnng
the organization by name
It was in this desperate situation that the Repub-
lican organization raised Macedonian cry for the
assistance of General Dawes. Those who sent this
appeal to national headquarters knew that President
Coolidges running mate had denounced the klGn and
was opponent of its methods and its antiAmeTcan
principles. Nor the Republican politicians of
Maine ignorant of the fact that what General Dawes
believes that he has the courage to declare Entering
the State last Saturday, he met with challenge
from the Democratic nominee for governor to speak
his mind on the klan. This General Dawes did with
rather sefrestraint than is his custom and with
rather more explanation, think, than was either
necessary desirable. But he did denounce the Klan
he did fepudate It's doctrine and Its methods. Ana
his party in the Nation today, Maine included stands
stronger and cleaner for his speech in Augusta
We wish the general had gone further and declared
his belief in the observance of Defence Day; he might
well have regretted that Republican governor of
New England State and the La Toilette governor of
La Toilette State had refused to support the plan
of the Government at Washington for popular OBJ
of the anniversary of st. Mihiel Day. But
his silence this score will not be misunderstood
His service record speaks for itself.
For the rank and file of the Republicans of Maine
there remains only to offer them expression of the
sympathy of Republicans throughout the country That
the leadership of the Republican party in Maine has
been of such weak and vacilating sort in recent
years to deprive the State Of its right to be regarded
any longer leader a spokesman of the militant
Republican principles of which President Coodgo-ahd
General Dawes the eloquent spokesman today
the principles of a party that abhors prejudice
religious bgotry and class envy, that spurns the
pany and the communicating support of masked klans
unmasked pacifsts.
DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE,
By Clayton E. Eamcs, Secretal:.