Year: 1872

AN EXCITED PEOPLE AND AN ANIMATED CAN


VAss- THE FIFTH CONGRESS DISTRICT


PIKE VS.. HALE-A LIBERAL TRIUMPH PRE-


DICTED.


fFROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THB TRIBUEEl


RoCKLAND. Ne, Aug. 27.--To begin talking
politics anywhere in Maine is like taking lighted
die into a haymow there is a confagraton at once.
Party lines were never rigidly drawn party
spirit never higher; and everywhere the people
talking unendngy and ncessantly Of politics. "Drat
the newspapers" said good old FOSSIL the other day.
"Thcrcs nothin in em but rain and politics." For in
this moist locality and at this season, the heavens are
literally hung with black about half of the time, and
with gray fog during most Of the rest Of the days
But nothing extUEuish the feryOr with which the
people pursue their favorite calling Public affairs are
discussed with more zeal, if it possible,
than the business OF ones neghbOr. Travelling
on the crowded railway lines of the interior
and BY the innumerabe which thread the bay
udentcd of Maine hears the ceaseles cracke
of party discussion, and easily gathers fairly correct
ideas Of the general drift OF public opinion. The split IN
the Republican party HAS profoundly stirred political
society this oldtme Democratic S-ae to its profound
est depths The acriInony and bitterness Of hostility
which have been developed among neishbOrs and an
mt associates is something surprising; for the leaving
OF the old Republican party and liberal organ
izatiOn by those who support Greeley and Brown is
something intoerabe and uncomfortable by the Grant
Republicans that sort OF prescription is invogue. To





year ago is to something really very dreadful Of
Liberal Republican But, somehow, the cry of Cop
perhead" does not deter thousands from leaving the
ranks Of Grantism and joining in a reform movement
designed 70 develop patriotism well as TO try mems
souls"


In this Congress District tho Vth the fight partcu-
larry bitter and close. The Counties Of Washington,
Hancock Waldo, and that part OF Knox which Is
prised in the district for the part made up of
isolated agricultural communities with few small
manufacturing interests scattered in between. There is
much homOgeneity, and every town and settlement
profoundly ignorant of the feelings and sentiments
Of every other and settlement though they
separated by the Atlantic ocean instead Of PenObscOt
Bay OF the Androscoggin. "The shrieks OF locality"
ofener heard here than anywhere else the interior
jealous Of the seacOast and the granite interest
spses the lumber trade. So when the eastern end of the
Vth District again secured the Republican nomination
for Congress this year there fierce feeling of
sentiment in the western end which has not vet been
wholly pacated OutOf this angry bolt grew state of
things which made Liberal movement the district
feasible. Hale who nominated by the Grant
Republicans has not heretofore approved himself "a
specially able useful member Of Congress- while
Pike. who is supported by the Liberals, has great per
sonal popularity, firstrate debater and has an un-
impeachabe record as a Congressman. He is making
lively and vigorous canvass, stumping the district
personally and speaking nearly every night. Mr.. Hale
hardly pressed by his antagonist has been obliged TO
very largely upon the aid Of his comrades in Wash
ington and elsewhere Among these the Secretary Of
the Navy has been widely advertised by bis official title
speeches in this vicinity. OF course, bis
remarks chiefly directed TO those "parsans" who
had not entirely approved Of his illegal actions Secre
tary OF the Navy. Another champion in Mr.. Hales
vice is the notorious Supervisor Perry Of North Caro-
lima This man, who is representative carpetbagger,
is the who cOmfored Secretary Delano with rosy
dispatches all through the North Carolina election, and
has leave Of absence from the scene OF his official
labOrs TO help out the Of Grantism in his
native State. He left unwholesome reputation
behind him when he followed the noble army
of earpetbaggers to the South but he returns
high In the favor of the Administration, 10 the
locality OF his former financial defeats TO show the peo
pie show the thing worked" This Supervisor OF In
ternal Revenue may do well in North Carolina but in
Maine where his peculiar fs understood IL is not
hkely that ms tabors will do much for Mr.. Hale
than 70 show the desperation OF cause which needs
such help as this Senator Hamhn has also contributed
his mite toward the enthusiasm which Mr. Hale seeks IN
this district Mr. Hamins stock In trade 40 far
has seemed only TO be abuse OF opponents His line
OF argument is that Greeley is elected the Rebel debt
VIII DE PAID Toombs and Davis will be IN the Cabinet
and shall have another Slavery and secession
This SORT Of thing might do for the backwoods but n
does not seem popular effective among the intelligent
people OF Maine


The general aspect OF the canvass in this district IA
highly encouraging. Hales majority at the last Con
election 12l0 in total OF 1s062 The fact
that two Republicans liberal and Grant, now run-
ming together the district and that oDe-Pke-re
selves the entire Democratic strength aud much the
Republicans would Of tsefiudicate every probability Of
pixies election But Hales chances are lessened by
every days lapse the contest wears OD The bitter
and yndictiye denunciatOn with which his psrtsans
visit the Republicans who their intention
10 vote for Pike disgusts many generous and
thoughtful men who never will renounce the d
vine right OF voting. AT Ellsworth, for in
stance where Hale lives, ind that 100 Republicans
have agreed to east their votes for Pike As that
sSsS AJ Hale majority Of u. at the last election