The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-09-13
DEMOCRACY PLAYED. OUT.


DEMOCRACY PLAYED OUT. ~,,ss,
When at O'Clock Monday we wrote a brief
article on the election, the polls then being
open and not to close for three hours. we did
suppose Democracy throughout the State
would presents bold front, and that Governor
Cony's majority, owing to the general suprne-
ness in the Union party, would be greatly CUT
down. We were deceived, and in the rsSt'ls
confess to the most agreeable dlsapp ointment
of the campaign. We tind that democracy
that Kind of Democracy represented by the Oh
ganization of which Judge Howard was the
head-instead of having gathered strength,
has actually been played out. Its day is over.
It is down beyond all power of ralying. 1t
has committed the great folly of crossing the
nations war path and, the individual or the
party that does this dies-dies, politically, be-
You'd all hope Of resurrection. w
For four years the, Democratic party has
stood in opposition to the war. Its one great
purpose has been to render the war unsuccess-
fal,-to decry our successful commanders, to
depreciate our victories, TO magnify our disas-
ters, to malign cabinet minister's to traduce
the commander-in-chief,a and to do any and ev-
erything that gave promise of defeating the
great purpose which the Government had in
view; the unfolding Of its authority and the
utter subjugation of all that dared oppose it.
The constant refrainoJ this party during all
these years of war has been, that subjugation
was impossible; that the South would never
yield; that the Republican administration
could never secure peace; that the restoration
OF the Democratic party to power alone could
save the country
With this refrain constantly on their lips the
war has gone on in spite of their opposition,
and though they have fought with de speration
their strength has been constantly departing,
and their weakness becoming more and more
apparent. The majorities against them have
been steadily increasing from year to year;
meantime the rebellion has caved in, the war
has closed, peace has come.
Under the changed condition of the coun-
try we find the Democratic party of Maine
meeting in State Convention. They recognize
the fact that peace has come. They ignore the
radical leaders of the past and bring forward
Judge Rice and Bion Bradbury. These men
are elevated to the chief plaeesin council and
they mould the platform Of the party They
appeal to all the dissatisaetions which war
has naturally given birth to, They appeal to
our unequal taxation, to our heavy war bur-
dens, to the cost of administering the govern
meat; they promise relief from burdens and 10
be the harbingers of the good time coming"
and in all this they assume an attitude Of pro-
foundp patriotism, of respect fer the war, of re-
gard for its heroes, and Of devotion to the
country. With platform almost unexcep-
tionable they nominate Judge Howarl-a
man of respectable talents, ofsome experience
and of unimpeached character-and thus pre-
pared they go into the contest.
Dd.they hope tosucceed /. An the speech
es at their State convention showed that if
they did not look for perfect victory this year,
they at least expected TO gain upon past years.
The redemption of their falling fortunes, at
least input, was oneof the things upon which
they counted with perfect confidence. It was
evident from the speeches not only of the low
er order, such as Dmn's and bud CLAWS, but
equally so from those Of Judge Rice, Little-
field and Pillsbury, that party resurrection
was looked for, and thatat the then approach
inge ection its indications were to be positive
and unmistakable. The radicals had been ie- |
nored and the party put on a new course, and |
why should not success be anticipated2
But the result has come, and such result!
The majority is more Overwhelming than ever
The strongholds have capitnlated. The rebel
lion in Ataine has proved to be as thin shell
as the rebellion at Richmond. Bangor gives
less than hundred Democratic votesi Old
Waldoboro,' the hope of the party, shows
Democratic net loss of ever three hundredl-
Horse, foot and Dragon have all been placed
hors da combat. No one can longer doubt that
the Democratic party of Maine is played out
II is dead beyond hope. An inquest is deem
ed unnecessary. Nothing remains but to bury
the efete remains. Not representatives enough
have been elected for pall-bearers. Its funeral
honors must be got up in charity. Strang-
ers viii commit the corpass to the tomb of for
fitness. Reqaiescat ia pacel
The argus must have taken this view yes
terday morning, Of the result of the election.
It did not publish the returns of single town
beyond the city limits, except what was pre-
pared for the Associated Press. 1t had no
heart for figures. Its columns looked as dark
and glun as sackcloth, and its hundred eyes
were all blear andswoIlen. Its glory has de-
parted Its hope has faded. Its last crumb
has disappeared from view, and It, like its par
ty is played out. f,.-..... s
The lesson of the late election, SO far as the
Democratic party is concerned, is not a pleas
ant onefor the leaders to contemplate. When
they were open in their reasonable hostility
to the Government, the people believed them
to be at least honest. Their recent change of
base is regarded with suspicion. The verdict
of the people is, that frank, outspoken, honest
is preferable to hypocritical and
merely assumed patriotism, and they have
voted accordingly. The lesson should be