MAINE. 



403 



2. That with the restored Union the thanks of the 

 nation are first due to the noble men who mindless 

 of life braved the dangers of the field and the ocean 

 for its preservation, and it is a source of gratification 

 to patriotic citizens that an army of more than a 

 million of soldiers have returned to their homes and 

 their industrial pursuits without disturbance, and are 

 now mingling with their fellow-citizens in the ordi- 

 nary associations of life, without distinguishing marks 

 save the glory of their wounds. 



3. That we have entire confidence in the national 

 Administration. It is entitled to the confidence of 

 the country. Its patriotism and integrity and pure 

 motives commend it to all good men. Its wise states- 

 manship has already been shown and its ability will 

 continue to be illustrated, and we rejoice that there 

 has been placed at its head, and by so general a suf- 

 frage, the great chieftain upon whom a grateful re- 

 public has thus hastened to confer its highest honors, 

 and to whom, by general acclaim, it concedes its 

 greatest indebtedness. 



4. Maine has great natural resources, and a climate 

 giving vigor to her people. Her soil is the best, and 

 her forests the largest, in New England. Her frontier 

 upon the ocean invites to commerce, and no State has 

 greater advantages for shipbuilding or equal facilities 

 for successfully competing for the carrying-trade of 

 the country. Her ample water-power > waits only to 

 be used, to supply the world with, fabrics and manu- 

 factures ; and, when her railroads are completed that 

 are now in progress, she will have a new vantage- 

 ground in the race for growth and prosperity, by her 

 nearer proximity to commercial centres and her easier 

 access to the markets of the East and "West. 



Resolved, therefore. That the policy of the State 

 government should be marked and distinct in favor 

 of the development of her material interests ; and, 



Resolved, further, That the ^ Republican party of 

 Maine has no more pressing mission intrusted to its 

 care, as the dominant power of the State, than to 

 make the most it can of these great resources for the 

 aggrandizement of its citizens and the enhancement 

 of their welfare. 



> Resolved, That, in legislative appropriations, an en- 

 lightened forecast will bear in mind always our pres- 

 ent indebtedness, and that in municipal expenditures 

 and official disbursements the strictest personal ac- 

 countability should be exacted. 



Resolved, That, we emphatically renew our adhe- 

 sion to the principles of prohibition and a vigorous 

 enforcement of the laws to that end. 



Resolved, That Joshua L. Chamberlain, the nomi- 

 nee of this convention for Governor of Maine, is one 

 of our most eminent citizens, distinguished for his 

 scholarship, his patriotism, and his undying military 

 record. "We commend him, with confidence in his 

 integrity and ability, and pride in his record, to the 

 suffrages of the people, and with an assurance of his 

 triumphant election. 



Prior, however, to the assembling of the 

 Kepublican Convention, the State Executive 

 Committee had issued a call for a State Tem- 

 perance Convention to assemble at Portland, 

 on the 29th of June ; to which " all temperance 

 men, without regard to past party associations, 

 who regard the vigorous and impartial enforce- 

 ment of the legal prohibition of the liquor- 

 traffic as the paramount issue in the approach- 

 ing gubernatorial campaign, and who, in the 

 absence this year of other political issues of 

 greater importance than the perfection of the 

 schemes of aspiring politicians for future ag- 

 grandizement and position, are prepared, in the 

 event of unsatisfactory nominations for Govern- 

 or being made in the State Convention by both 

 political parties, to present and support an in- 



dependent temperance candidate for that po- 

 sition, are invited * * * to decide upon such 

 measures as the exigencies of the cause may 

 demand, and to prepare, if necessary, for sys- 

 tematic, independent action at the polls." 



In pursuance of this call, the convention as- 

 sembled at Portland, on the 29th of June, and 

 organized with Henry Tallman as president. 

 About 200 delegates were present, among 

 whom there was a difference of opinion as to 

 the policy of forming an independent ticket. 

 Some of the leading temperance delegates were 

 satisfied with the prohibition resolution in the 

 Kepublican platform, and were of opinion that 

 the temperance cause could be best promoted 

 through the agency of the Kepublican party. 

 These were, however, in the minority ; and N. 

 G. Hitchhorn, of Stockton, was nominated by 

 the convention as candidate for Governor. The 

 resolutions adopted were as follows : 



Eecognizing the responsibility we take in placing a 

 candidate before the people for their suffrages, in op- 

 position to the two great parties now existing in the 

 State, we deem it proper to make the following state- 

 ment of principles : 



We are in favor of equal rights, and even and ex- 

 act justice to all. "We are in favor of sustaining the 

 public credit, and to this end will use our endeavors 

 to have the national debt and inteiest paid as fast as 

 the resources of the country will warrant. "We are 

 in favor of State legislation to develop the resources of 

 the State, and to aid and encourage its productions 

 and manufactures. 



And, believing that temperance will best promote 

 all these causes, and aid in all these endeavors, we 

 are in favor of the total prohibition of the liquor- 

 traffic, except so far as recognized by the laws, and 

 of a State police as an efficient auxiliary toward that 

 object ; therefore, 



Resolved, That we view with pleasure the peace and 

 prosperity of our country, and acknowledge with grat- 

 itude our obligations to those patriotic men and wise 

 statesmen who have been instrumental in producing it. 



Resolved, That we will aid by our influence and 

 votes in sustaining the public credit by meeting all its 

 obligations honestly and fully. 



Resolved, That we are in favor of developing by 

 State legislation, so far as consistent with true econo- 

 my, all the vast resources of our State. 



Resolved, That we believe that temperance will best 

 conserve the true interests of our State and our coun- 

 try and that we believe in the total prohibition of 

 the liquor-traffic, and in a State police as an effective 

 auxiliary to this end. 



Resolved, That we confidently offer to the suffrages 

 of our fellow-citizens Hon. N. G. Hitchborn as a man 

 who is fully identified with our industrial interests, 

 one, also, who has always been faithful to his trust 

 wherever placed, a friend of the working-man, an en- 

 courager of manufacturing, and a man every way 

 worthy the public confidence and support. 



It was also voted that the State Committee 

 be authorized to call County Conventions for 

 the purpose of nominating county officers. 



On the same day, the 29th of June, the 

 Democratic Convention was held at Bangor, 

 and was attended by 616 delegates. Charles 

 P. Kimball was chosen as president of the 

 convention, and was subsequently nominated as 

 candidate for Governor, which nomination was 

 declined by him. Franklin Smith then received 

 the nomination as candidate for Governor. 



