The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-04-21
A CHANGE COMING.

A CHANGE COMING.
| 1.-The air is full Of poniarls,n said an acute
observer of signs, just before the French
revolution burst upon the heads of the
French King and nobility. The needless and
dissipated mobiles went on carousing and
feastlng-feasts that were to be their funeral
baked meats.
Cannot even those who have not remarka-
bly, the gift of prophesy, perceive that the
political atmosphere Of this country is full of
the threatenings of a coming change? The
Republican party has outlivcd its time 1t
had but barren victory in 1860, which the
folly of the Southern members of Congress,
in withdrawing from their seats, converted
into an impregnable castle. The war that
ensued was the golden opportunity of radical
ism to strengthen itself, which ii was not
slow to improve. BY the remarkable course
of following events, which were miracles of
good fortune, it succeeded in preventing that
disruption of the country which its lack of
good sense and craftsmanship invited.
To-day the mission of the republican party
is accomplished. 1t fingers upon the stage
when its part is over; it is dead and above
ground, when it should be dead and buried.
The non-extension of slavery, its cardinal
idea, more than prevails, for there is no
slavery to extend. More than that, the late
slaves have, by a most summary process,
been Transmitted into citizens, voters, offici-
als-we had almost said into ebony angels
The antl-slavery society has disbanded its
organ is dead-the vexed question has van
ished into thin air With it went the back
bone Of the republican party. There is left
only its galvanized remains
What future there might be for that party,
with the prevalence OF wise councils. we
will not undertake to say. With Difference
to the necessities of the times and the de-
mands of country struggling to repair the
waste of war, its chances for continued as
cendancy would be better But it learns no
wisdom from its experience or the experience
of others. 1t is engaged in projecting into
pacific days the expedients Of war, and neg
lects the arts of peace. The army is still
vast and burdensome establishment Bay
onets CLEAN and guns frown where there is
nothing to oppose or fear. The exactions Of
internal taxation are as onerous as when the
rebel guns were heard at the capitol, and its
machinery as vast, complicated and expen-
sive. The comforts of life, the poor mans
abroad, are made costly by a most exorbitant
tariff. While the rich mans bonds are I'M
taxed, usury gnaws at the substance of the
business man. State governments are made,
un-made, and re-made, at the will of Con-
gress, in glazing violation Of right, Justice
and constitutional law. Military satraps
elect themselves to the United States Senate,
from States in which they have VIGOROUSLY
no residence, and certify themselves as being
legally chosen and eligible officials
The evils enumerated are common to the
whole country. But Maine suffers grievous-
ly in addition. Her shipping, that was in for
mer days source of wealth, has vanished from
the ocean, through the unfricndly legislation
OF Congress- and the country is Inundated by
seeing three-fourths of its imports in foreign
vessels.
The republican party was born in Maine.
1t sprang from the union of abolition, know
nothingism and prohibition. It's first successes
were achieved here, and from Maine it went
forth conquering and to conquer-we had al
most said, like the northern barbarians in
the days of Rome's overthrow We venture
the prediction that republicanism will COM
mence to die in Maine-and that it has already
got its mortal hurt "The air is full of POM.
ards" to stab it. The liquor question is
twisting it in the struggles of dissolution.
The rival factions that aspire to the Con-
gressional positions, the U. s. Senate, and to
the places in the State government, glover
upon each other with angry eyes. ready to
break into open hostilities The Paper
Credit investigation is going to catch in its
trap much larger game than is generally sup
posed, with corresponding damage to the i'm
maculate leaders of that party. In short,
dissolution is written all over it.
Will the elements Of opposition to the pres
ent policy OF the republican party see in all
this its golden opportunity?-or shall wisdom
cry aloud in the streets, and no man heed
her? The rank and file of the dominant par
ty are rebellious under the destructive lead
of those who are guiding the destinies of the
party. They see the baneful influence of its
policy on their material interest-and are
resolved to have a change or 4 revolt. As
they are not likely to get the first, the other
must follow
1t is believed that out of this element, COM