The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-06-16
The New Status Of Political Parties

The Baltimore Clipper has an excellent ar
tieis on this subject, in connection with the
new issues growing out of the question OF re
construction. The Clipper notices the course
OF the different wings ofthe Democracy to-
wards President johnson. the apparent disa-
greement bet 9een his policy and that OF Chief
Justice Chase, and says: n sd
But lately it seemed all plain sailing; and
vet here are causes and influences at work,
Calculated as we'll TO embarass the Executive
and div de his supporters, as any that have
peen seen to perplex and confound one In hi
position for many year past. We must re-
member, in this connection, that the opposing
forces il relation TO these questions, are OF thu
most formidable character, relatively consider
ed. The Republican party proper, that greal
organization which bore Mr.. Lincoln onward
to steady triumph over the most tremendous
combinations imaginable, which crushed the
Southern Democracy whilst at the same time
1t held the Copperheads and England itself at
bay, this organization is not going to give up
lightly any Of It's long cherished objects, those
it considers vital 10 the complete viadication
OF the broadcast liberty for this continent. Go
ing for equality" Tor that Equality before
the law" which disdains all distinctions be-
tWixt man and man where human rights are
involved, it is the true democracy OF the age,
and Of this country aud it fights with a per-
tinacity which none can venture to despise, AT.
ter what 1t has been seen to accomplish.
And now the question arises as to what
win ultimately be The position Of President
Johnson
Rene mbering that all his life he has been
ipstinctively recognized as toe most determine
ed foe of the aristocratic tendencies OF the
Democratic oligarchisls of the South, that his
whole policy was opposed to theirs, that he
ever secuted their pTetensions, whilst at the
same time by his steady opposition to the two
flfths" representation Of the Shareholders and
his advocacy Of the "Homestead" law he Yves
always reaching for Northern sympathy and
supp 1t, can it be expected, that now, and az
ter all the Southern arlstocracy, calling them
selves "Democrats,o have done, that he will ic-
more or contemn the Republican party to
throw himself into the arms Of his old foes ?
Must he not know that the latter would have
as little mercy OH him as they had on Mr.. Lin
coin. whilst, were he ever so anxious for
steady support, that since they are beaten, US
ed IN by the war, and disgraced before the
world, they cannot afford IL
Then ii all this is true, and IL Mr.. johnson
is the sagacious statesman he has indicated
himself TO be, what is the course be must pur
sue? Will he not be compelled by circun1-
stances, by The wish to have his administra-
ton hopored and made useful to the country
TO fall back on the men who proved themselves
so able In the case OF Mr.. Lincoln? Attempt
Ing to rally and consolidate the Democracy
proper, will he not, in the natural course Of
events, be condemned to the fate of Mr.. Blu.
chanan? will he find any more principle
amogst that set to day, thar was found when
they betrayed him to disgrace, and the coun-
try to bloodshed and every horror? For one
we believe that President johnson will tri
umph over the acknowledged difficulties O.
the situation; but TO do this, there is now lit
dices and vagaries have to be brushed aside
with strong hand, new pathway must be
struck out indicating progress