Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-01-03
Gbe Offoro 4emotrat
PARIS, MAINE. JAN. 5. 1868.
AVAILABILITY.


il, as to PriHaPIe? Is !, rot better to be
in minority con:endine for principles
which are deemed correct. than TO succeed
With a candidate who cannot, III every sense.
or even in doubtful one, bc regarded as
an exponent of our political views?
The old Wing party had the merit OF hay
ing distinctive political sentiments. and
they were in the habit, generally, of nomi-
Mating their strong men, who were idenii.
fed with their policy, and hence nearly al.
ways suffered defeat
But what was the cause OF the dcfes;y
Was il because their candidates ~ere not
available. or their principles in minority.
with the voters. When they departed + ON
their usual customs sn'l nominated an
GrGiEable man. as they did, when Harris On.
and TAYLOR were taken, they succeeded -
but what was the value OF their victory?
II was demo1uiizing in its tcndency--tbe
hangers on, but principles were not advanc.
cd or maintained. SO will it be with any
party that "a rifces principle for araihJi1iiy.
Andrew JCl was put on the Rcpub.
lican ticket IL strengthen it. in the South.
True. he was supposed 10 be ihoi oughly
committed TO the prominent idea oil the
Republican party, which then was to ydrs
The Union But lis antecedent views were
be was acting his associates. habits Of
thought, views OF society and morals were
entirely dissimilar, AMI yet. though The
party was not weak at the time, the sad
mistake was made Of bowins down TO he
Moloch of availability. II success could
not have been achieved without taking him.
il certainly was not with him, for the pariy
is very much like the Iiiiran; in Cont
whose witness has testified against him
his mouth i closed. for he is not allowed ia
contradict his own witness. While be i
the repres entalive Of the part, made so
by their own aCt-hc is far from being the
exponent OF their views. The party has
gained po'oe-. bat though his name was
Grailabie, there is no availability TO his pow.
er. Would not defeat be preferable
The available man, SO far rs catching
votes is concerned. is either a man OF no
poinls-a eierer frllos-or he is one Of the
good Lord, good devil" Aiaa-all thinrs
10 all men lie has no envmies. because
he either has no views OF his own. or eau.
tiously conceals them. How often il ),
that in electIng our town officers, the most
capable. best qualified men arc not taken.
because it Is feared they will not get the
fan party strength and for availability the
BEST interests OF the town are hazarded.
This yielding to orlila5Hty in orr poll.
ties. Is but offering bounty 10 irickery
and mediocri'y. A just cause had better
go down with flying colors. nailed 70 the
mast head, than prevail under false pre.
fences, with its principles concealed and
It's standard bearer so undcfnaLln. that he
might as well receive the nomination Of
one party a the other
These thoughts have arisen. in view Of
The movements of republicans to trinr
forward Gen. Grant a. the candidate Of tho
party for resident. But recently. our owl,
and democratic journals were nj looper-
heads as 10 which should have him. True.
the retI~euce of Genl Grant. as 20 his poll.
teal sentiments. and The desire to have A
deservediy popular and available man
may account for this. but since the publ.
cation OF his plsale letter relative TO the
removal OF Siir'Dn and Sheridan. we think