The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-01-13
The Olive Rranch

The Tammany Society of New York cele-
brated the anniversary of the battle Of New
Orleans by mighty gathering of sachems and
any amount of speech-making. A number
of the speakers seemed called upon to Sim
prove the occasion" in saying pleasant things
to their former democratic brethren of the
South; and Mr.. Sunset Cox rendered the
olive-branch Of the party to those lately recu-
SAINT gentleman in very touching manner
1t was quite true, he admitted, that their
action had ruined the party in 1S8O-of what
they had done to ruin the country he did not
seem to make much account-they had left
their brethren Of the North to fight the battle
unaided, sat time when well-oppointed and
fiercely inspired Republicans were laundering
upon their fanks," and so the sceptre ofpow-
er had passed from their hands. But for all
that he begged his dear former brethren in arms
racy could bear malice. OH no far from 1t. If
not to imagine that the Northern Democ-
they would only come up fairly, and join hands
once more and help to overthrow these up
start Republicans, all might yet be WE'LL
Everything he says, is favorable to such new
combination. providence has given us the
President from the South, and the issues o
political government are so forming themselves
that yoar interest aciH be ,rith our inclination
in the line Of our duty to our whole country"
The Democratic party as an organization
Mr.. Cox declares to have remained steadfast
to its patriotism during the warl Hopelessly
severed by rivers of blood from its old allies,
weakened but not broken, "it arose amidst the
blaze and thunders OF war to give Mcclellan
in 1884 over one million six hundred thousand
votesw (If that is not proof of patriotism
what can be?) He adds: '' ~, p -
True, we are in minority in Congress and
in the States but ifmy voice could reach them.
l would say to the South: "Behold this array!
II was not victorious, but by your aid it might
have been, can be, and will be! As the great
er bOdy-indeed, as the regular organization,
never broken save by your defeetion-we en-
treat, If you rould be rid otyoar present ka-
bilities, to consider your future alliances.
We desire no humiliation from you. Ycu know
us now to have been your friends ofold, when
you left us to your enemy and orrsl We
spread the mantle of oblivion over the past
Ta be in your potcer to help, it Is in ours to
forgive. IT you have the spirit to accept, we
have the spirit to tender the Offices of kind
ness. 3t = i'fae4 4'A h-iAA''S lN z
This is certainly most moving appeal
The inducements here held out can hardly fail
to have weight with these hungry Southern
Democrats, and it is by no means surprising
that they are eager to get themselves recon-
structed into a position enabling them to
accept such very flattering terms. 1t Is quite
natural that both they and their Northern
allies should feel impatient at state of things
which forbids them to put in practice such a
magnificent scheme for their own benefit.
The New York World is deeply moved by
this edifying spectacle Of political magnanimi-
ty and forgiveness, and gets into very relig-
ious strain in speaking Of it, never, for an in
stant, however, losing sight of the main chance,
lof the substantial gains that are to result from
the arrangement. We quote specimen para
graph from the Worlds article:, ,;tiy s3nsfii-
7 When President johnson kills the fatted
calf, the Northern Democracy will not be
found acting the pharisaical part of the elder
brother. We will not meet our returning as.
socrates IN the spirit OF forgivness (for that I'M
plies some reproach) but of unfeigned welcome
and joy.a ,aIao Is aous sie5Yos gno nj s1sIs
We have not the slightest doubt ofit. These
fellows would meet Satan himself with Joy Il
by his aid they could hope to hoist themselves
once more into power. But 1t remains to be
seen whether the people are equally anxious
to place in power party made up of such ele-
ments. A political organization made up on
the one hand of the men who in the darl
hour of their country's peril hung like mill
stone about her neck, doing all that towards
dare do to ensure her destruction, and on the
other hand of bolder traitors yet red with the
blood of their countrymen, does not present
the highest conceivable claim to the confidence
of a patriotic and thinking people.