The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-31
1865.
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS
MAINE STATE PRESS
FOR 1S6S.

We have reached the beginning of Presidential
year. The Republican party, confronted on its acces
sion to power by civil war which its tardy success
too late to avert betrayed after its second victo
ry by the Vice President fits choice has put down
rebellion, has compelled reluctant Executive to do
its bidding. and now advances to a contest and
third triumph. The results of the still I'M
developed; the rebellious states have not yet
ed their proper stations; it is for the Republican
party still to control the process of reorg
There can be no backward step; friends in those
States must not be overrid1en by our late enemies.
The debt incurred during that terrible struggle must
be sacredly respected. More than that, the right of
every American citizen to the ballot equal terms in
all the States must be asserted and secured Ibese
are the great purposes which the Republican party
has at cart but it is also changed to accomplish
perfect Incidental reforms which alone in ordinary
times would justify the organization of party. 1t
has given to the country banking system which
has simplifed all our domestic exchanges. 1t has
given bankrupt law. wisely careful OF the inter-
ests of both creditor and debtor. 1t has withdrawn
from the handso the Executive that vast patronage
which since Jakson's time has been prostiuted
and more 'ecklAssly to base and personal ends
1t stands pelget to bring into our civil and dplo-
matte service thee elements of character and ability
Such party c.nnot be defeated. It's desires are
the desires CT thtgrea body q the American people,
It's asp rations prophecies of future laws Its in
telligent oIponentsonly find fault with its methods
and VIC learn better by their criticisms how to reach
our ends. John Qa1ncy Adams, addressing the
| Democrats of Concord. ays of the Republicans
when read their noble declarations OF an undy-
ing intent to struggle tillhe equality of all men
irrespective of COLOR efore the law. is ire
vocably established, can hearty say amen" The
New York World contends strel,ousIy against the
shallow financial sophisries of II. Pendleton. who
nevertheless seems likely to secure the Democratic
nomination for the presidency next ear. Even the
Eastern Argus declared last year, timIy and briefly.
in solitary paragraph, in favor ofimpsi al suffragei
All men who not stone blind, see tina the princ
pies of the Republican party the print,les which
to rule this nation, the principles hich the
American people cherish in their heart h.rts and
| which therefore must sooner or later prevail
Shall they prevail next year? II it is undestood
that these principles involved in the confess as
suredly yes. Tit is not understood if the issue
not clearly presented the sharp points of the CO
troversy are blurred and indistinct in the popula
pprehension-possibly not. The mass of the Demo
cratic party is stagnant If reactionary. 1t can
not be lifted out of the old ruts. The leaders canno
control it, it will hang like lead upon their skirts
1t will oppose impartial suffrage; it will blindly as
sail the national credit under the impression tina
it is attacking the Republican party; it will conlinu
to lament the downfall Of slavery That is the part
| with which we are to contend We ought to have
majority OF thirty thousand votes agaios that part
here in Maine next fall. They are here; VIC ought t
have them at the polls. Can IL be done by extraor
binary exertions during the last few weeks of tn
campaign? Can it be done by sending speakers int