The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-04-29

of 100000 tons of shipping. In 1867 only 49,,
657 were constructed. But this tonnage was
mostly made up Of small vessels designed
chiefly for the coasting trade. Mr. Nash stated
that we not only cannot build ships, but we
cannot even repair them This work is now
done, as TAR as possible, IN foreign countries,
where material can be had at half the cost that
it can in this. most profitable source of en-
poyment is thus taken away from our laborers,
who, for want of steady employment are COM
PEELED to demand high wages, which, when re-
fused from the inability of ship-owners to pay,
is followed by strikes, which prove more dis
aStrous to all concerned w e only need, said
Mr. Nash, to be restored to where we were
eight years ago,-in other words, to be allowed
the use of materials and tools at cost, to re-
cover the ground we have lost, restore ravages
OF the war and of the Alabama, and place the
finances Of the country upon the solid founda-
lions of free and unrestricted industry.
These facts and figures are by no means
new, but they have for US all sort of mel
ancholy interest that calls for repetition
They show that, so far as the shipbuilding
Of Maine is concerned, the war might have
continued to this day, and its condition have
been no worse
So much for the evils themselves, with
which we are unhappily too familiar But
when we come to consider the organization
through which reform Of these abuses is to
be wrought, We must beg leave most re
specially to dissent from the steps advised
by these worthy gentlemen. There is al
ready Reform League organized, which
is pledged 10 lay the axe close TO the root
of the ire. that has borne this evil fruit
Its organization is widespread, thorough
efficient. and determined. Its members are
Jealous. intelligent, and confident of sue
cess. They know they are RIGHT, and that
victory will come in Gods good time. We
refer 70 the old original Reform League,
know as the Democratic party.
Wien the state Of affairs in the country
is seriously considered, together with the
public apprehension excited thereby, he
must be dull Of apprehension who does not
see signs Of coming storm which shall
sweep from place and power the men upon
whom the blame rests Who but those in
charge of public affairs are to be held re-
sponsible for these abuses? Can the de-
mocracy. over whom radicalism, booted
and spurred, has ridden at will these eight
years past be asked to meekly kneel and
confess judgement for the offences Of those
who have spurned, denounced and cursed
them: Are we to ask pardon for having
been right? Shall we sing hosannahs to
the devil?
That we should realize the evils we are
suffering was as certain as fate, as clear as
the deductions of reason could make it..
The fact surprises no right thinking man,
any more than that fire should burn him or
frost should Freeze Nor have the Democ-
racy of the country been unaware that the
inevitable result of the evil days, when
they should come, would be that power
would return to their hands. To them
would naturally flow the confidence and
trust Of the country.
That the radicals should foresee and
dread this coming change is not unexpected.
Nor is it surprising that they should seek
by some shuffling evasion, to break the force
of the sentence about to be pronounced.
The love of power is in many minds second
only 70 the love of life, and they exhaust
resource and sharpen invention in means
to acquire and retain it, But the device of
a Reform League, under the patronage of
radicalism, to correct abuses that itself
created and tostered, is an exercise OF in
genuity worthy of ali admiration degree
of impudence that touches the sublime. 1t
borrows an idea from the fox, doubling in
his trail, or the hunted robber walking
backward to deceive the pursuit.
These excellent gentlemen who are she'd
ding such rivulets Of tears over the sad con-
dition which we have reached. are those
who have managed the affairs Of the coun-
try for eight years past. They have con-
trolled its finances, its tariffs, its manu-
features, its internal policy, its foreign af-
fairs, its army and navy, and have managed
them in such way as to draw continued
protest from the Democracy. And now,
when the worst that was predicted has been
realized, they propose to call meetings of
all parties, with weeds on their hats and
handkerchief to eyes, and weep over the
sad state of OUR affairs
Complaisance may 60 too far. To bless
them that despitefully use Us, is better in
religion than politics. The Democracy of
this country, against their better judgment,
were largely cajoled into the approval Of the
late needless, foolish and bloody civil war.
That is quite sufficient. With the lesson
fresh in our memories, let us not adopt
the robberies and thousand nameless knave-
ries for which that war gave opportunity
Let our hands be clean.
No, gentlemen of the radical persuasion
if you are sinking with milestone about
your necks, call not on us for aid. Your
haads have placed it there, and if it over
comes you, and you sink "unwept, unhonor