The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-08-04
ARDOR AND PROGRESS.


signature of ''Frec Dance" takes exception
to our remarks upon the position of the
Nlachlas Union, that the Democratic party
is detunct organization, and proceeds to
state certain propositions, among them the
following
The more ardent and progressive of the De-
mocracy have Welded for wears their better indoo
6 ment to desire for unity in the party: and have
submitted to a line policy which has kept it in a
hopeless minority for years, and from which there
has been no apparent chance to emerge
Our young men have left u.s. In many localities
they are injured socially and in their business by
their adhesion to our fortunes We have taken no
onward steps, but have, under the guidance of
mistaken leaders, adhered to and insisted upon
the formal annual expression of set of standard
principles. which, however true they NAV be and
OF however much value in the abstract, do not con-
tam me issues now before the people and are of no
practical Importance at this time
There was never Il time when the Young Democ-
racy Were purer and firmer in Democratic faith
IMAM now: but they willing to meet the hest
men of other parties half way in an effort for re-
generation and restoration of the Republic to the
honesty and simplicity of former days.
We think this writer is mistaken in assum-
ing that no attempt has been made to .smeet
the best men of other parties half way.n we
have recollection that in 1866, the ssardent
and progressive Democracy" met in Conyen-
ton at Philadelphia those same chest men. ;"
The combined forces had for leader no de-
| feated candidate for the office of Governor
OF Maine, but the President of the United
States, with all the influence of his high DO
sitlon and all the vast official patronage at
ms command 1t was not a State but a
national organization. Its supporters and
recruits included cabinet officers, influential
United States Senators, the editors of lead
ing neWspapers-all converts from republ-
canism The Democracy were there in force
Being ourself at that time pervaded by car
dent and progressive" notions, we were pre-
sent and witnessed the affecting arm-n-arm
promenade of Massachusetts and South
Carolina up the broad aisle of the wgwam.
Does the writer in the Argus remember
the result of that movement? In three
months it was laughed out of existence the
members of the new party who had been in
stalled in office We're ignominiously kicked
out and their predecessors reinstated and
Andrew johnson, the father of the move
ment, was impeached Of high crimes and
misdemeanors, and saved only by one vote.
from conviction and official disgrace If all
the advantages, talent and power that sttp-
ported the johnson movement coui,. not
save 1t from future in the name of Heaven
what prop has this Chamberlain mania to
lean upon9
The writer we have quoted says that Young
men care injured socially and in business
by adhesion to our fortunes.n If they have
been, il is through the cowardly notions
which pervade the extract we have made
above, that it is 4 disgrace to be Democrat
that Democrats should crawl to the feet of
radical leaders, and, apologizing for Demo-
cratic principles, ask gracious permission to
touch the hem of their garments and he made
clean.
1t is through filings from Democratic news
papers that the organization is deflnct, and
voting its ticket a farce, that young Demo-
Gratis made To feel humiliated, ana are
driven from the party No wonder they feel
disgrace when papers like the Union and
the Argus tell them they rc disgraced by
their politics. No wonder they lack social
advantage and business success, when Dem
ocratic papers tell them in substance that
they must associate with the supporters of
Grant, and lack Chandler, Ben Butler.
Charles Sumner and Revels to be respected
and successful!
The article in the Argus concludes as fol-
lows
An OIL immutable law of mechanical forces may
be applied, we beg to be allowed to believe, by new
and improved methods and these methods we are
trying 10 discover. We don't care who first dis
covers them or holds the patent; we shall get them
INTO our hands if we can. And it is to this effort
that we invite our fellow citizens to Join
FREE DANCE.
This mechanical comparison brings to
mind the case Of the learned man who
iancied that by graspng the seat OF his pan
falcons and tugging vigorously he could lift
himself to any desired height His first pub
lie experiment resulted in the rending of the
garment, and an unseemly exposure 1t
may be that certain gentlemen in the west
ern part of the State have discovered and
hold the patent for new application of this
great principle. And perhaps the Demo-
cfilllc convention IS again To witness an OK
hibition, with feelings in which Indignation
and a sense of the ludicrous struggle for
mastery. But whether it be that, or an at
tempt at 4 'free dance" in which the par
Elephants will forward and back, chassez,
change partners and all hands round-we
hope the assembled Democracy will abiure
all tnm-ioolery, and insist unon proceedings
becoming Democratic State Convention
EDIToRs LET Loose. The Editors, Pub
fishers and Printers of Maine and New
Hampshire united in Il Convention at Rye
Beach, n. H., on the 9th and 2Sth Five
hundred persons attended on the occasion
A speech by Hon. j. g. Blaine, poem by
B. p Shilaber, singing by Barnabee and
Miss Ryan, We're among the attractions of
the occasion. On Thursday a grand excur-
sion was had to the Isle of Shoals, after
which q dinner with toasts, responses, &c,
was had. 1t was q very enjoyable occasion