Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-15
AFTER THE ELECTION.

1HC lOtloN itCiii ths ANNN
York World, the democratic organ of that
city, gives an idea how the late election
is taken in that quarter:
We cannot profess an equanimity which we
do not feel, and must frankly acknowledge
our disappointment and chagrin at the result
of the election. We regret the defeat of the
Democratic State ticket, and we grieve still
more over the complexion of the new Legs
lature.
Before proceeding to set forth the GROUNDS
of our keen vexation, we are constrained 10
do justice to the motives OF the honest ana
noble minded masses who have borne their
emphatic and gratifying testimony against the
Tamnany frauds. We have nothing but I'M
qualified approval and admlring sympathy for
| the righteous popular indignation which has
been the resistless controlling force IN tins
election. This intense feeling, so suddenly
aroused and so mighty in its operation, is the
hope of the Republic! Large masses of men,
when deeply moved, are not apt to be very
discriminating and the justly incensed peo-
pie deserved to have better leaders. But their
honest impulses are entitled to our heartiest
applause. In the intentions of the voters the
result of this election is not a triumph of the
Republican party, but a triumph of honesty
over fraud. Their noble subordination OF par
ty to high moral considerations is the most
hopeful feature of our recent politics. When
the same incensed honesty is brought to bear
against Federal corruption, with the same IN
aignant, impetuous force, it will prove de-
vouring fire. 1t will sweep over the country
and consume the Grant administration like
dry stubble. This strong outburst Unpopular
feeling is the most hopeful sign of the times.
All honor, then, to the righteous popular in
tiopS ub;oh hrrLo fnrfb lilo q annfa pa
ton in the recent canvass! 1t has burnt up
some things which we would gladly have saved
but still its general effect is most salutary.
Heaven grant that it may not be quenched
until it has done its perfect work
But there is always some danger that vio-
lent popular excitement may overshoot the
mark; danger which has been realized in
this stormy election. We exult, and all hon.
est men have reason to exult, in the utter
overthrow and demolition of the Tammany
Ring. If it could not have been accomplish
ed at a smaller cost, it was worth purchasing
even at the high price which has been paid.
But if the people had been better instructed,
If they had had cooler and wiser leaders, the
indispensable destruction of the corrupt Ring
might have been secured at a cheaper rate.
But the danger is that, in consequence of in
competent leadership, we have merely sub
Let us proceed to explain.
1t was a point of the first importance to Sc
cure an honest, ineorruptible Legislature,
which would give us Thoroughly good city
charter. 1t made comparatively little differ
ence whether the majority of the members
should be Democrats or Republicans, so long
as the Republicans did not get such an un-
controlled ascendency as would enable them
to override and defy the vote of the Demo-
cratic Governor. But, unfortunately, the
Republicans will have a two-thirds majority
and the negative of the Governor will be OF
no account. We can not therefore say that
we have any confident hopes of good char
ter as the upshot of this election. If the Re-
publlcans had elected simple majority, and
not two thirds majority of both branches of
the Legislature, no condition of things could
have been more favorable TO a fair and honest
charter, which would have given no party adj
vantage to either Democrats or Republicans.
The Democrats, in that case, could have got
no party advantages in the charter, because
it could not have been passed without the con-
sent of the Republican majority. The Re
pubIicans, on the other hand, could have got
no party advantages, because no charter could
have become a law wi hout the consent of the
Democratic Governor. The honest men of
both sides, therefore, seeing that no party end
could have been served, would have been free
from any besetting temptation, and have unit
ed in passing a charter solely in the interest
of honesty and good government. In such a
Legislature, Mr.. T'ilden, as the most conspic-
uous and trusted Democratic reform leader,
would had an ascendant influence. All hon
est reformers would have deferred to his judg-
ment, and he might have virtually dictated
the form and framework of the new charter.
But in the actual condition of things, the Re-
publicans will be more likely to regard him
as the ladder by which they have mounted to
uncontrolled power, and kick him aside as a
ladder which has served its only use. The
Republicans can impose upon the city any
kind of charter they please in spite of him,
and in contempt of Governor Hoffman's vote.
Precious small amount will they make of his
honest zeal for reform when they find them
selves absolute masters of the situation, and
at full liberty to make, unresisted, such
charter rs will enable them to control the
government of this city against the wishes of
the large Democratic majority of its citizens.
Whether they will renew the odous and de-
tested Albany commissions, or subject us to
some other cunningly devised scheme for
over-riding>the will OF the people and giving
the municipal spoils to a set of hungry Re-
publican partisans, remains to be seen. But
he must be a verdant politician indeed who
supposes that they will not make the most of
their party advantages in this great coniunc-
ture to establish their ascendency in the State
and secure the reelection of General Grant.
After the rejection of the Tammany dele
gates at Rochester, and after the vigorous
of the city frauds and the strong
declaration in favor of new charter, the
cause of reform would have been secure if
we could have prevented the election of a
two-thirds majority of Republicans to both
branches of the Legislature. The chief OBJ
ject of Democratic solictude should thence
forward have been to keep the reform move
ment within the control of the Democratic
party. How greatly it would have rebound
ed to the credit of the Democratic party of
the State if il could have given to the city
popular charter which would have rendered
gross corruption impossible! This might
easily have been accomplished by proper
energy and discreet management. The first
thing which ought to have been done after
Tammany was rejected and repudiated at
Rochester was prompt reorganization of
the Democratic party Of the city under the
auspices, and in pursuance of the authority,