The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-04-16
Politicians should have Good Memories.

Politicians should have Good Memories.
We have somewhat changed the old adage.
but there is much truth In it as it stands at
the head of this article. To keep the conf
dence of the people, public men, and especial
ly politicians, should keep fresh in their men,
ories their past record. And not only SO, but
they should be exceedingly cautious what kind
of a record they make. Consistency has ever
been considered jewel, and he who wears it
will not only catch but keep the popular
breeze; his sails viii always be full and
not found tapping about the mast without the
possibility of making much headway.
No matter how high mans position may
be; no matter how popular he may have been
for a brief period; no matter how many syco-
plants he may have about him who hope 10
ride into place and power upon his official in
fuence; no matter how many clubs Of greedy
Office seekers may be found to "sustain' him,
he cannot blot out his record from the mem-
ories Of a watchfnl andloyal people.
Whatever our country may have been in
years past, when only the interests Of political
parties were at stake, it is no place now for
demagogues to pay their fantastic tricks be-
fore high heaven. Never before in the history
of our government have public men been so
narrowly watched by the people. Our recent
war has not only taught US the value OF our
nationality, but also that vigilance which ia
the price of liberty. The spirit of true patri-
otism has been awakened as it never has been
before in the hearts of the people. Intelli-
gence has also been more widely difased, and
the science of our government has been deep
ly studied. The difficulties in the way of
demagogues or ambitious politicians have
been greatly increased, and their sphere of ac-
ton has been much limited. Such men must
now pursue their course "under difficulties"
which are not easily surmonted. Neither
traitors nor demagogues can now cover up
their tracks so easily, or sail under false colors
with so much impunity as in years past.
1t is now an uphill business for an amoi-
tious man to form new party which can %
successful; and especially is the task ner-
culean one, when he attempts to form 1t OUT
of elements tainted with treason, and when
there is great and loyal party IN tne coun-
try which has fought its battles ana saved lts
honor and its life. Such party cannot be
broken M and destroyed before its work is
dors No man is sufficient for such labor,
however high his place of power may be, or
however ambitious he may be to become the
Head Centre of new political organization.
He may have followers, but such followers
Oh. there's the rubl Whatever change may
have come over the spirit of his dream, his
record must remain; and when he doubles
and crosses his own track" there are myriads
of eyes to see him and mark his course.
There never was period in the history OF
| American politics more unfavorable to the
formation of new party than the present.
ANY man who thinks at all, one would say,
must think thus. The work cannot be done
out of any elements which ambition can lay
its hand upon. True, there are elements IN
the South which such hand may collect, but
alasl they are still full OF treason and wet
with the best blood of the nation. However
firmly they might be connected with such CO.
hesiye power, they would form but weak
and rickety foundation to build upon. There