Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-08
THE LAST NEW DEPARTURE.

THE LAST NEW DEPARTURE.
The democratic party has reached that
condition that it is obliged to take new
departure at every election. In plain
words. it changes its garb and appearance
as is customary with footpads and infa-
nous characters, SO that it may still go at
large and escape recognition by the public.
The Vallandigham new departure con-
sisted in the adoption by the democracy
of the old clothes of the republican party.
This did not succeed according to the ex-
pectations of its advocates, because it was
plain to be seen that it was nothing but a
trick. The ears of the ass stuck out
through the skin of the lion. Nobody
this disguise upon their party. They SEEM
ed to forget the long ears which they
habitually wear, and appeared not to
know that while strutting about in the
covering of the nobler animal they never
displayed more strikingly the peculiar
characteristic of the ass, much to the
modification of thousands of sensible DEM
ocrats and greatly to the amusement and
profit of the republican party.
This new departure having proved a
failure another one is offered for trial. 1t
is the one suggested by Frank Blair few
days since. The proposition is for the
democratic party to make no nomination
for President, to act the part Of a dead
body upon the political stage except to
wink occasionally as the conspiracy goes
on, to keep up the appearance of death
until sore head republicans have made a
nomination, and then spring into life again
and join their confederates of the other
camp in united effort to break the lines
of the republican party. How this is re-
graded in both parties is very well shown
in the following article from the Detroit
Press:
The present quandary in which the Demo
cratic party is involved presents the most Gu.
rious political phenomenon witnessed in this
country since the old Wing party laid itsel
deliberately upon its death-bed, and resolved
that it was time to die and be buried. TIL,
Democratic party organs are now discussin.
this very question. The St. Louis Republi
can, few days ago, in carefully considered
editorial, suggested that the democratic par
ty had better not make any nomination for til,
office of President of the Republic next year
Its argument was simple statement Of tn,
situation. If the democratic party does max
nomination it will be hopelessly beaten
President Grant, it is argued, is sure to b.
renominated and reelected by the Republi
cans. The only effect the democratic part,
has or can hope to have, upon the fortune
of the country, SO long as itkeeps in the feel,
is to drive the republicans together, to keel
the republican party intact, and to aid it
leaders in holding the rank and file in hand
because the republican masses are afraid t.
divide, lest the country might fall into tn
hands of the democratic party, switch posi-
bility is regarded as the worst calamity tina
could happen, and makes the people willing
to bear anything, no matter what, rather thar
run the risk Of democratic ascendency through
any revolt against republican abuses it argue
in substance. But, it proceeds, if the dem
ocrats quietly abandon the field, and reliev,
the country of the fear of their ascendency
the republican party will divide, may di
vide; and then the democrats can join one O
the republican factions in body, make i
successful, and under the new name, and il
the new party thus formed, the democratic
leaders who are now hopeless may pick up
good share of the offices. This is the argu
ment, reduced to plain terms.
This proposition the democratic journals are
discussing with zeal according to their various
hopes and prejudices. The Cincinnati En-
quirer, though hopeless and grieved over the
unteehng inhospitality of cruel world thai
Will not bestow political charity upon its party
chiefs, nor give them share of the offices
YET exhibits melancholy grief, and declares
that the suggestion is preposterous that thu
democracy will die trying. The Nashvjll,
Banner on the other hand, declares that the
quintessence OF political wisdom is in the
proposition; that the time has come when The
Southern Democracy, at least "shou!d not
be content to hide their heads any longer in
the sand, like the innocent ostrich. in fancief
security, preferring to hope that all is well
when il is not we'll" There is no sound
reason" it says, "why the experiment shoulf
not be tried and it seems almost beyond tn,
hazard of a doubt that the opposite cours,
must result in inevitable failure. The sug
gestion to put no democratic candidate in tn
field is commendable for its wisdom"
The Indianapolis Sentinel acknowledge
the force Of the suggestion, but thinks that,
the democratic party will only purify itself
shake off Tammany, and become respectable
perhaps it may yet live and grow into strengt
again. The Wilmington, North Carolina
journal thinks the democratic party mus
cease 10 tilt against the wind II guarded
ly approves the proposition, and intimate