Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1866-11-23
OBJ @rforN democrat
PARIS MAINE. NOV. .. 1896.



The last Denocratic Convsniion which
Ne ever attended in the capacity Of a dele
gate was in Jolly. 1852. Tie party vas
then divided into two wings. and between
then there ~ss fierce contest Tor the mas
tery. There was debate al dsy and near
" al night. We vel remember that q
personal friend, who then s,npaihisc,i -iih
Is. in sort % confidential conversation.
requested hat ne would not take part IN
the debate. for the reason thar We were 80
- radical = that Il would prrju1ioe our siae
Of the case. Our frienI probably Rad the
right q the matter. 20. Ne vel remember
that this single remark led us AZ The time
90 investigate Bore ciosely than ever be-
fore the pro slavery position and tendencies
Of The Democratic party. Rsdicalisu,. -
then ard now understood. vas exceedingly
unpopular With the party. Evcry man Who
had the mora courage % speak or write
against slavery. or var against - extension
into free territory. vas accommodated hy
the leaders from the party. radical then.
Al be held any public ofice. wss sure % BE
kicked oct Of +. and. II he had TIE tencrifv
20 aspire % any place of honor or profit.
had the door shut IN bis face. Those wio
then thought they saw Tire coming storm.
Who predicted the sure and steady cnrroaoi,-
meats Of The slave power upon The eonssi-
tutiOnal rights % the people % the FIRE
States. and the 6nsl corfict. through which
the nation has just passed. were isnghed 20
scorn- Like all reforn~rs. in every az.
they we're unpopular. especially uiih those
whose conduct very properly marked then
a. the rabhle. Even up Co As late a. the
S6th Congress. every member who met the
questions then pending between the ioysi-
Ists and traitors with a squArs front. and
was ready % take he boil by The horns.
and dcnounce treason as crime. vas
branded. both north and souih. g. = raiicai.
unfit 20 be IN the councils az che patton.
These facts have ALREADY been incorporated
into history. To turn over the leaf ho- b.
IL now There Is a iuc an cry against
radiealism. even IN ihc free States. a. IRE
present dav. Such men a. Charles sun
ner. Thaddeus Stevens. Judge Kelly and
Ben. Wade are denounced a. radirai.. and
PLACED in the category q enemies 90 ibeir
country. There = one very gratifying
thoucht % the radicals a former davs. fts
people arc nor -17ical N anv ore lesson
Wa taught in the fail -le-fions. u Wa this
grca; truth. thar boastcd conserva,iveis-i
has been barred too decn 90 ever know
resurr~ction. and rsdicalisrn j. nov TIE 80
t4biishcd sentiment of the country. A.
such. il j. bound 70 rule. and enter into th..
future govcrnmcn; 81 tie country.
In connection With fhis question there
are some things ~hieh deserve passing
notioe- There = a class q men IN the Re-
publican party. Who until quite recently
have always identified themselves With the
bitter enemies Of al progressive movements
IN the direction Of reform. Who nov boast
Of their radicaiism. Like al youn- con-
verts, they are remarkably zeaioas: 90
much 80 that thcy speak in coniemptuous
terms q men who have been ilcnfifed with
the radical movements 81 the acc for the
last fheen or twenty years; an srch bv
political hacks. whose opinions sre q buf
small comparative importance. Thea again
these same modern Eeaiots demand The
Offices and all The best places a. the disJ.os-
a. Of the people AMI the executive. ard 70
one who has borne the burden in tbc heat
ofthe day. and been rad5-al When radical
ism cost a man Is bad "a. the aularisv
% ask something IN tbs direction. b. Is de-
nounced a. an 0fIicc-seekcr and ic.na-ccue.
Il - never TOO late ior a maa 90 repent.
and Il j. BOT fair that the eleventh. boar
men should receive their penny. brf these
Young converts shoaid not expect % turn
ont % the church an i's old siania-d mem
beers. % make room Tor diem. u D.. after
AT. gratifying % tho Oh soldiers to End
that the World moves thar ti.- doctrines
they once advocated au,l3si oLioquy AMI
reproach q the past. are uow tie ssntiment
% the county. " TIE stone uhieh thc
builders rejected has become tLo had oi
the corner