The Portland daily press., 1868-06-18

While the Democrats were in power at
Washington they never made movement to-
ward the extension of civil and political equal
ity. In those States which they now control
they stamp out every spark of liberal senti-
ment so tar as they able. How much con-
fidence can be placed in their professions of
repentance at this late hour when an advant-
age-even the prolongation of the party life
is expected to accrue as the immediate result of
their change of base? In cases where indi-
viduals experience abrupt changes of opinion
under like circumstances there is always held
to be strong presumption of insincerity, as
when Dryden became Papist and received
pension Immediately thereafter
The Democratic leaders opposed the war so
long as there was an apparent possibility of
regaining their lost power by promuleating
such unpatrotic views. Now they have aban-
doned that ground, because the people will not
suffer the cause that saved the nation to be
DETAINED.
Thy opposed the abolition of slavery until
emancipation was fat accompH Then they
abandoned that ground.
They opposed and still oppose the enfran-
chisement of the blacks but civilization is too
strong for them, and they seem on the point of
yielding or protesting to yield again.
Thus these unpatriotic men have been drag
ged step by step to the stage of advancement
in political wisdom where we now see them,
each year condemning their action of the year
before by accepting a policy hostile to that
previously advocated. But the yielding on
the points we have enumerated and many
others has taken place since they were out of
office. Can any reliance be placed on CONFORM
ity to the creed presently to be adopted in case
they are able, through processing it, to gain the
ascendancy? If all the rights of man and all
the cherished principles of republican govern
ment are as safe in the hands of Democrats as
in our own. it may as well be acknowledged
that the coming political struggle will be a
mere matter of individual preferences, and it is
immaterial whether John Doe, who is called
Democrat or Richard Roe, who is known as a
Republican, is Alderman, Governor or Con-
gresham. For our part we still believe most
potently that there is something far more i'm
portant than n choice of persons to be consid-
cred in voting for candidates for public offices
in the year 1868. We believe that the cause of
human freedom is as absolutely dependent for
support upon the party that soas organized e1-
pressly TO uphold it as it aoas in 1861 or in 1864
This proposition can be made patent to the
dullest apprehension. Suppose Judge Chase
nominated on his own platform and elected
President of the United States. He is in favor
| of impartial suffrage, but opposes the only
means that has been suggested for obtaining
| 1.-THE reconstruction policy of Congress. Fa-
voring the Lords side while affording an ac-
tive and efficient support to the Devil is A IA
vorite exercise of theological gymnastics, but
| brings the performer sooner or later to grief
But the opinions of Chief Justice Chase on
the question of suffrage-he question of this
political era in all the world-are of only sec
condary Importance. The genuine convictions
OF his followers that are to be are what must
be subjected to thorough analysis. Ihe most
hopeless bankrupt might safely offer reward
of a thousand dollars for every Democrat that
can be found in the country who pretends even
that he favors impartial suffrage because it is
| riqht. On the other hand the purpose is open