Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-20
LET US RAYE PEACE.

atmosphere The solid earth trembles at
the roar of the thunder but smiles more
gayly when the war of the elements is
ended. Without these connections there
would be no life; uncomfortable though
they appear while they last, after them
come renewed health and strength and
other blessings.
So in politics we have occasional tenn
pests that make party organizations rock
to their foundations and terrify the stout
est hearted statesmen. Every administra-
ton which the country has known, from
the first to the last, from George Washing
ton to Ulysses S. Grant, has had its storms
that shook Cabinet, Congress and people
until they reeled again. None had more
of them than the administration of An
drew Jackson, than which none now holds
more firmly the respect of the American
people, or is oftener quoted as an example
TO be followed We lament, deprecate,
denounce and become indignant and ex-
cited, and prophesy general crash and
ruin, when they do come, but that does
not prevent them coming again and again,
let Congress be what it will, and no matter
who occupies the Presidential chair OF
sits in the Cabinet They are inevitable
as long as men are men or government by
man exists The elements which 60 to
make them gather strength and force and
at last the cloud bursts. Those who can,
stand from under" and those who can
not might rs well endure the shock philo-
sophically. for protests or prayers will
not stop it; nature will have her
course and probably this is best. After
the storm comes the sunshine, the
pure air, the re-inSigoration of whatever
needs a wholesome atmosphere or the ge-
Mai warmth of sunny skies.
The republican party has just been Wis
tied by serious disturbance OF its ele-
ments, which is felt in greater OF less de-
gree from centre to circumference Charles
Sumner, one of its oldest and ablest men
statesman respected for the purity of hi.
character and his devotion to and suffer
ings for the principle which vitalized the
party, is removed from the head of a com.
mittee where he has served with diStinc-
ton twelve years. Though the Senate had
the clear right to do this the act was I'M
wise The manner in which it was done
wore an offensive appearance that aroused
Indignation. The name of the President
was connected with the transaction. For
the moment the people forgot that their
hearts had once thrilled rs they never
thrilled before OF perhaps will again, at
the news of his successes at Donaldson
vile, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga,
Richmond, and that the last army of the
rebellion had surrendered to him at APP
potn,attex. They remembered what Mr..
Sumner had been, and what he had done
and borne for human rights, and how well
he had served his country in the position
from which he was removed; but they
forgot Grants splendid victories which
wrested the country from the jaws of des-
truction, and made it possible for the
government to stand and the Senate of
the United States to exist The storm was
heavy. Our opponents endeayored to turn
it to account, and inAaming the passions
ofrepublicans hoped and predicted the
destruction of the party.
Succeeding this came the war of words
in the House over the question of
atfording protection to the South. The
scene was disgraceful, but let the disgrace
rest where it belongs, with General But
Ter, who provoked it and now stands con-
demned by the papers of his own State
rs the culprit Again there is excitement.
and wild discussion. and wrath and lamen-
tation because such things should take
place among the republicans in Congress,
and there are not wanting prophets who
foresee in such events the collapse of the
republican party. After the storm comes
the sunshine. The thunder cloud that
breaks in fury is the forcrunuer of the bow
of peace and promise. These commissions
will be followed by fair weather. They
were needed to clear the atmosphere at
Washington, to teach men in high places
their responsibility and bring union and
peace for the great struggle to come next
year. When the republican party is
brought soberly face to face with the ques-
tionsupon which the next Presidential cam
paign must turn, involving the prosperity
and happiness of forty millions of people,
no man, be he Mr. Sumner or President
1rant, or any quarrel over personal or
MINOR matters, will in the least divide it or
impair Its efficiency. Those who look into
the future OF politics know that tremen-
dous struggle viii take place in 1872. The
increase of democratic strength in Con-
gress is fact of weighty importance
The ovcrturn Of the government into dem
ocratic hands would have consequences
upon the country that no prudent man can
contemplate without fear and trembling
While such momentols issues are ,,andin or