Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-07-18
Hare the Democracy Departed >


nominating candidate for Governor, OF
rather 10 agree upon Il man on whom
they could all unite to run into the
ground How well they performed their
wolk, and how deep they will conclude
10 dig the grave, in which their candidate
is to be inferred. with their old principles,
remains TO be seen. But not only did
they meet in that Convention simply TO
agree .upon a man for whom they would
all vote in the Fall election. but they
met there for the purpose OF hitting upon
some plan, either by their own cunning
and knayery, or by adopting the cunning
and knavery of their Western friends, by
which they could pull the wool over the
eyes OF the people Of Maine, aud make
them see the former record Of the Demo
cratic party, rs one free from corruption,
and unstained by the red spots of treason
and rebellion Their object was TO put
forth 4 set Of resolutions, announcing 10
the people that the Democratic party is
about to take a gigantic stride towards
perCectinS the purity of political princi-
pies, and that henCeiorth they shall de-
scend and reject those dead issues which
have so long been the impossible Alps
between them and success in the political
arena But in doing this, they do not
propose TO acknowledge that they have
made any "new departure" or abandon
cd the doctrines which they have hereto
tore advocated, but have simply agreed,
that for the time being. they will recog-
nize rs valid those laws which their unit
ed strength has failed 10 defeat and over
come. 1t IS not an honest and sincere
recognition of the amendments of the
Constitution, sut is simply cloak TO
cover the nakedness Of their former ras.
cality, and if possible, give them q semi
blance Of honesty in the coming future.
But they have made grand mistake,
Tor It IS virtually acknowledging, in as
few words rs they have written it. that
from the beginning OF the war against
the Union, The Democratic party has been
on the wrong side, and that they are
now sorry for It, and ready 10 abandon
the teachings Of the old schools. and &C
cept those Of the Republican party, which
they have heretofore denounced rs wicked
and tyrannical, and which they SAY have
been forced upon the nation in the hour
of accident, to build up in It centralized
government. II is saying TO the people
of the United States, that the WAR which
the Democrats always claimed was
carried on to free the slaves, was honest
" prosecuted to save the nation from
destruction.
But the time WAS, when the Democrat.
ic party advocated different doctrines
from those lately set forth in their new
departure" for not only did they oppose
the war, but since its close they have con
demned every act of the administration.
from the very first step on reconstruction
to their last act of opposition to the For
cigu treaty.
Let rs examine Tor 4 moment the rec
ord of the Democratic party. First, il
has been the great sla, e.holding party OF
the nation. It was the party that rebell-
eel against the Government. It's the
party that made war in Kansas. It's the
party that has denied, and fought. even
to the extent of war, equal political priv
ileges to all men. It's the party that has
dragged innocent men through the
streets Of Northern cities to miSei able
dens OF slavery. and for No other crime
than for being black. It's thr party that
has murdered hundreds Of men in the
time Of peace, for advocating the equal
rights Of all men. It's the party that
murdered Loyeioy and Cilly, and stained
the halls OF Congress with the blood oil
Charles Sumner; and lis the party that
by life labor devoted TO tho interest OF
slavery, has entailed more misery upon
the black people Of this country than the
DogeS OF Venice ever did upon the
millions of their tortured and tantalized
victims. Such are but some OF the acts
which followed the teachings OF tho
Democratic party But happily this il
changed, and wherein they were once
wicked, ,hey have now repentod. They
no longer delight in slavery. bat are the
advocates OF freedom. They no more
refuse the Negro the privilege OF voting
but are the defenders OF his rights. They
no more oppose the Reconstruction Acts
and the amendments OF the Constitution
but they recognize them ~ part of tho
supreme law oil the land and in fact
they are pleased with all the great act,
which the Republican party has brough
about to bind up the bleeding wounds o
the nation, and are willing To join hand:
WITH them IN what they may do IN th'
future to aid in the advancement OF the
cause OF good government. Such is the
idea a stranger from i foreign country
or one who is unaequainted with oul
politics, would have, if they were tC
Judge from the acts and records Of thC
Democratic party heretofore made. ant
from the resolutions adopted lately a
their State Convention. For those rec
ords are dramatically opposed 10 eaci
other; the former. advocating slavery
and the latter freedom; the former dc
nouncing every act of Reconstruction