The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-09-18

IF the development theory has moral
phase as well as physical, it will serve to ex-
plain political phenomena now pressing upon
public attention. The Darwinian hypothesis
is to state it in all its breadth that tbe
existing species OF animal life cannot claim
separate and individual creation. but have
been developed from lower species by series
OF dliierentiations resulting from all the cir
cumstances that have surrounded the original
type In different ages and parts of the world.
10 use the popular illustration, man is but
the developed monkey. Links are wanted IN
the chain that connects proud man with his
"poor relation" At least, links were wanting
till the recent announcement made by some
peripatetc philosopher that he had found in
Borneo men with well defined tails. IF his
story is true, or if some kindred spirit shall
hereafter dig up from the bowels of the earth
the remains of being like man except that
it possesses the superluous adornment above
referred to, the Darwinian hypothesis will be
justified.
1t would be too onerous a labor to under
take a nice and complete adaptation of the
theory so as to explain the political meta
morphoses that we see every day going on
around us. The process of development is
rapid in the political world. The genus Dem
ocrat has developed almost an infnity of spe-
cies within the last decade in its general pro-
gress toward "trooly loil" manhood. In the
transition individuals have reached many diff
ferent stages, SO that the result is confusion
that is bewildering to those who do not un-
derstand the philosophy of the thing. Some
continue to wear the tail of the primordial
Democrat,-the rabid pro-slayery secessionist
in all its former magnifcance of length and
copiousness of brush. Brick Pomeroy, FL. CLAY
Dean, and other "irreconclables" we might
name, are examples Others-Seymour, Pen
dleton, Hendricks-haye suffered a marked
abridgment of the caudal appendage-if we
may continue the metaphor,-and present the
usual demoralized aspect of creatures that are
changing their coats. In Massachusetts tails
are dropping in all direction, and John Quin-
cy Adams having either discarded his alto
gether, or studiously concealed the stump. as
the Devil does his cloven foot when he inter
views an intended victim, they may be said to
be permanently out of fashion. In Ohio the
same state of things existed early in the sea-
son, but after Rosecrans' refusal to be a can
didate for Governor there was an unexpected
second crop, which spronted up with miracu-
lous vigor. In Wisconsin the Massachusetts
style is followed. In Kentucky the primitive
type is found il its original purity, owing to
climatic or other causes Further South
Democrats adopt the style that suits the in.
dividual fancy. And so it is in Maine. Here
one may find the Massachusetts, or the Ken
lucky fashion followed in the same neighbour
hood. The Democratic State Convention did
not make any recommendation in the prem
ises, and the greatest scope is left for individ-
ual taste. The argus avails itself of this
privilege by alternating between very long
Pendletonian tail, such as it wore Yesterday
and none at all, as on Wednesday and Thurs
day. This exercise of an enlightened eclecti-
cism introduced confusion into the Darwinian
theory, and makes the general aspect of the
Democratic world rather mixed.