Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-30
PERSONAL ABUSE as a POLITICAL
WEAPON

WEAPON.
In the bitterness often engendered in the
conflicts between rival political parties, it
is not SO strange that now and then party
leaders and party newspapers, in their
excessive zeal for the triumph of what
they believe to be great principles, should
fall into the error of personal denunciation
and abuse of leading antagonists. Yet
even as between opposing political or
CARNATIONS, it is really an evidence of
weakness in the cause or its advocates,
when vituperation, instead of argument, is
made the staple of political discussion
and it is calculated to belittle the men who
employ such a cheap weapon, and to bring
into contempt the cause which relies upon
such advocacy.
What shall we say when such kind of
guerrilla warfare is adopted by prominent
leaders and newspapers against others in
the same party at least equally prominent
and deserving? All must admit that it
becomes not only positive nuisance, but
a source of the greatest danger to party
success and even existence. Perhaps
nothing conspired to strengthen the repub-
lican organization in its earlier years more
than the spirit of courtesy and fairness
which so long pervaded its ranks and con-
trolled its leading men in their relations
with each other Since the war closed,
however. the increasing greed of office,
especially among the crowd of political
adventurers that attached themselves to
its fortunes at the eleventh hour. is gradu-
ally Transforming this old spirit of comfy
and kindliness into one of jealousy and
bitter detraction, at least within certain
circles and if it is to go ON unchecked
will ultimately shipwreck the organization
and retard the progress of the principles
it is set up to defend. The fact that a re-
publican occupies prominent and intluen-
tial place in public estimation, or is sug
gested for any official position without
having consulted these detractors, seems
to be sufficient reason for them to fall
upon him with persistent ferocity utterly
inconsistent with party good-feeling and
unity. TO such an extent is this being
carried, that in order to carry their point
and secure their favorite candidate, this
class of mischief-makers do not hesitate to
apply the most opprObrious epithets to
other gentlemen in the same party men
toned for the same posts, and even by
ipunendo. if not by direct charge, to seek |
to create the impression that they are I'M
worthy of any place in decent society.
There are some indications that this
class of misunderstanding detractors which |
have disturbed the harmony of the repub-
lican party in other States, are busy in |
our own State string up strife and hatred |
where there ought to be harmony. In the
selection of candidates in the republican
ranks for positions of importance, it is
very natural that the names of more than
one gentleman should be mentioned
Certainly, one republican has as much |
right as another to have his name brought !
forward for particular nomination. For
the friends of any one man 10 imagine |
that he has preseriptive right to the posi- |
ton, and to fall to abusing others who !
may be brought forward for the same pest,
is not only indefensible, but indecent.
No party can long escape serious trouble
when such a course of personal abuse be-
comes the prevailing method of selecting
candidates, especially when it is counte-
nanced and encouraged by men who have
in years past held high and lucrative posi-
tons at the hands of the republican party
-Lewfston journal.