The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-26

A great many generations of men have been
amused at the establishment expressed by the
Roman author that two augurs-the prestidi-
gitating priests of the period-could look each
other in the face without laughing. If the
Roman satiiist were alive now, what would
he say at the control of the facial muscles dis
played by those who minister at the altar of
modern Democracy? All, the rogues they
do laugh, when they meet secretly-they must
laugh. That they maintain grave and quiet
demeanor in public is merely the result of
long and patient Trainings donkey may
be taught TO walk on his hind legs, and dog
to assume an attitude of devotion which he
will leave only when his master pronounces
the word "amen." Here are a few of the
things that the leading Democrats do and say
in respect to financial matters in different
parts of the country; while in every place
they execrate Republicans for pursuing
course different from their own:
In Massachusetts, State Democratic con-
vention was held Tuesday. 1t was a hard
money convention, nominating John Quincy
Adams, hard-money Democrat for Govern
or, and passing series of hard-money resolu-
tions. The candidate in his speech accepting
the nomination pointed to the deprecated
state of the national currency as the cause of
all our financial woes. He favored return
to specie payments. The resolutions were
entirely in harmony with Adams views.
Now turn we to Ohio. There the Democ-
racy have just nominated man for Govern
or who is regarded, and justly, as the origin
ator and principal supporter of the greenback
theory. He would issue currency enough to
pay the five-twenties. Of course the depre
clation OF greenbacks, their volume being so
much inflated, would be instantaneous and
very marked. A return to specie payments
would be postponed, if not rendered impossi-
ble Pendleton is, financially speaking, at
antipodes with Adams.
Once more changing our field, we take
glance at Tennessee. Here things are in a
deplorable condition. Yes, it is true that An.
dy johnson is in fair way to get back TO the
Senate. The fates, detestable sisters, enemies
OF the human race and impIacabIe foes of the |
peace and good repute of the Senate, seem to |
have decreed it. Mr.. Johnson, unlike Pen
dleton, takes his repudiation-if we may use |
SO bold straight" He does not di.
lutte 1t with greenbacks, Or disguise it by any
means whatever. With both johnson and |
Etheridge, his Democratic rival for Senatorial
honors, reputation is reputation.
Here then are the Democratic leaders of |
three great States teaching their credulous
followers three distinct financial doctrines.
each irreconcilabIe with the others, as the
only genuine creed of the party. And they
Ill nave pretty large following, too. Now if |
ADAMS, Pendleton and johnson should meet |
In some cosy little room, with no spectators
present, and look each other souareIv in the
lace, what peals of laughter might we not ex-
oect to hear therefrom?
After explaining these remarkable yaria-
ions in the Democratic philosophy as taught
n different parts of the Union, we can give
minor inconsistencies only passing notice.
But what shall we say sufficiently appreciative
# Mr.. Packer, another great Democratic
eader, who has taken the head of the column
u pennsylvania? Like all Others of his kind,
W. hacker deplores greatly the hard lot of
"o ia"orlng classes, who are indebted, as he
i'auicaiism for all their woes. But
'rac''caliy Mr. Packer is very poor, Tor rich)
humanitarian. Somebody's labor has cot him
more millions than there are months in the
ear. The laborers who have made Mr.
'acker's fortunes, have not, however, recev.
a that kind treatment at his hands that
NC might naturally expect from gentle
iah OIL such exquisite sensibiIities. Not long
~ certain OF them whose perceptions were
.o' uelcaee enough to enable them to sec
na' 'neir great employer, being theoretically
heir friend, o1ght to be forgiven for his re-
larkable practical departures from his creed
1reW him into the Lehigh, with the beneyo-
mt purpose of drowning him, Another story