Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-24
0tforO 1tmotrat.
PARIS, MAINE, OCT. q, 1871.
Confession Pl.nise,rortbn.

" clergyman Ueemed hefcuc
sometimes breaches a sermon to no senti'
meut of which You can object, 80 occa
siOnally political opponent utteIs truths
equally unexccptionable This was the
case in the political leader Of the Oxford
Register two weeks ago, entitled 1.-The
Difference" 1t was an article dictated
evidently by 4 sense OF shame at the dis
closures made of the raseality of the
leaders of democracy in New York, and
instead of seeking to cover and apologize
for them, as most OF the democratic press
does. it speaks openly aud in manly
way against such conduct The article
commences rs follows:
Custom, in some cases, has made
lealty to party duty only TO be evaded
30 the risk OF denunciation and accusa'
lion. II a man has the nerve To array
himself for any cause. against wrongs in
political organization with which he
has been identified, hc Is too often greet
ed with the cry OF renegade and "trai
tor" His motives are not taken into
consideration, nor the causes OF any con-
sequences. To steer clear OF denuucia-
ton, men are sometimes Tequicd 10 vote
tor = knavc without @ why or where,
lore, simply because he assumes the name
OF Your party.
Now, such political bondage. or refusal
to torSo6c the wrong, is simply disgrace
jul."
Very good-Jut how long has it been
that the democratic party has been so
tolerant towards those who had the
manl;aes> to break away from it. No
party ever held such an iron sway over
its adhcrcnts. 1t tolerated no dcSertions.
Let leading man break away from it,
and he was suddenly transformed from
an angel OF light to q demon Of darkness.
Who have been more bitterly and shame.
fully denounced and their characters
meanly traduced, tor the simple reason
that they deserted democracy, than Ham
uibal lIamlin, Lot ~ Morrill,. George +.
Shepley, Gen Butler and host Of 9th
crs. Like the mans rabbit. which Vas so
sleek and nice, and would make such a
nice pic. while he had him, but when he
escaped, was denounced rs little
cotton tailed rascal, and poor at that,
Here is another extract from the article
which reads we'll
If man has independence enough 10
cry out against the corruption OF political
leaders. even of his own party, he de-
-eryeS praise instead OF cenSure, and he
can rest assured that, sooner or later, The
.eCtitude of his course will be aCknowl-
edged. Whenever great political or.
ganization falls under the control OF cor
rupl and selfish leaders who use their
power for selfish and mercenSry purpoS-
cS, it becomes the duty OF honest al.
herenlS Of that organization 10 withdraw
their support. and thus rebuSe those who
disgrace il. Honesty i the best policy.
because ii is right. in politics as well rs
iu everything else; and corrupt men who
undertake to lead Democratic voter>,wi.l
soon discover The fact TO their hearts con-
tent
We denounced the alleged frauds and
corruption said TO have been praeticed by
Tammany politicians, New York brokers
and bankers, Of all parties, and found no
excuse for Democrats on the ground that
their opponents had been guilty OF far
greater frauds without number.
Before The Tammauy frauds were made
public the democratic press was greatly
exercised on account OF occasional detail
cations of office holders mderI republican
rule. and the general corruption OF the
party was agued from the premises
Now, however, that ra>cality l. no, con-
fined 20 the republican party, we see
moraliziug and ou air of innocence a.
>umcd Why, man, %, the great Chicago
devastation oyorwhelms in magnitude AL
the small blazc> which the whole country
can boast Of ioy many Years, so the great
Tammauy democratic wholesale plumber.
ing of the city's treasury towers hugely
above every individual peculation Of re.
publican office holder, since the origin OF
he party.