Year: 1879

| turbance OF the peace OF the state. IL Is
curious circumstance that the widest OF


the warlike utterances have proceeded from


thepulpits Of evangelical clergymen-acla class


of men who live in an atmosphere of emotion,


and have not sufficient contact with affairs


to give them the calculating GOODNESS and


sessed by citizens "hackneyed in the ways


of men" and who have q more practical
acquaintance with life. In the combustible


state OF public feeling which exists in
Maine our confidence that the peace of the
| State will be preserved has rested on our
estimate of the good sense and practical


sagacity of Senator Blaine. While it is his


party and carry it to a high pitch, il would
| be fatal for him to take the incendiary
| responsibility of a local civil war. In
his willingness to rouse indignation
| he has gone some steps too far, but he is
strong enough to restrain his followers
within legal limits. It was blrnder to
give loose rein to bravado about resort
to force, because it furnishes a handle to
| the fusionists. They denounce the repub-
licans for their incendiary threats, and are
+ able on this ground to make strong ap-
peal to the peace loving citizens of the
State against revolutionary violence. Mr..
Blaine sees that the republicans must re-
treat from SO untenable position, and he
is conducting the retreat with consummate
skill.


Of course the able and plausible letter Of
ex-senator Morrill,, the chairman of the
Republican State Committee, was not pre-
pared without consultation nor sent to
Governor Garcelon without the sanction Of
Mr.. Blaine. 1t is exceedingly clever and


dexterous. Maintaining throughout tone


of decorous moderation and couched in
language of respectful Difference for Cover
nor Garcelon, it conveys the impress


sion that the republicans of Maine
are extremely anxious to have this
controversy settled by legal and
peaceful methods. By holding out the
prospect of a judicial determination it
tends to allay the spasmodic passions
which clamor for violent redress. 1t is the
main purpose of Mr.. Morrill's extremely
adroit letter to exert this tranquillizing in
fuence on the republican party of Maine
without abating their sense of the injustice
with which they have been treated. Moth
ing of the kind was ever more skilfully
done.


We do not suppose that either Mr.. Morrill,
or Mr.. Blaine has any expectation that this
proffer will be accepted. If this case were
submitted to the Supreme Court it would


doubtless decide, as Judge Virgin decided,


when he was applied to for mandamus,


that the question is beyond the jurisdiction


of the Court. Mr.. Morrill, perceives this as


clearly as anybody could tell it to him.


He is careful to say that he would expect


the Court to act only as an ''umpire."


But if it were to travel outside of
its jurisdiction and express opinions


as an umpire" such opinions would


deed occur to many persons that they


have read reports of Judicial decisions in


which courts have decided on the validity


OF elections. But we must guard against


the confusion Of view which results from


false analogies. None Of the cases in which


courts have delivered judgments on the


election Of public officers has related to


members Of Legislative body. Courts have
Jurisdiction in relation to the election of
State or county officers. and in such
cases if canvassers have made an
illegal award the Office may be
given to the rightful claimant by
q judicial decision. But in every State
- L.oc ~ ~fx xla T.ors;cIot,.o - ,,,olo A.


final judge of the election of its own men,


bers. There is no appeal from its decision
and no authority to review its judgment.


Each branch of every Legislature possesses


exclusive jurisdiction and is o court Of
final resort as to the election of its own
| members. While it is certain that no


Judicial court ever has, it is safe to assume


that none ever will interpose in this class


of questions, which all thesState constitu-
tions reserve from the purview of the
| judicial power and commit exclusively to


the respective houses of their legislatures
The necessity for quieting down the pre-


vailing excitement is the motive Of Mr..
Morrill's letter. It's closing sentence is in
tended rather as hint to the belligerent
republicans than as an appeal to the Gov


ernor. Mr.. Morrill, says :-.T address Your


Excellency not simply as an individual,
but as chairman Of the committee of the


republican party, all of whom are desirous,


above all things, to avoid every possible


disturbance of the public tranquility and


to reconcile popular discomfort" This is


equivalent to saying to the republicans of


Maine, cease talking about force until oil
peaceful methods Save been exhausted.


1t was full time to send forth this cry of


'.Halt p There has been n narrow escape
from bloodshed in the streets Of Bangor


The Governor, in the exercise of an


authority which undoubtedly belongs to


him, ordered transfer of arms from the