Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-19
PEpUBLICANISM IN KENTUCKY.

line between old political ideas and forces
as they existed before the war, and the
new ideas and forces developed by the
war and emancipation. The advantage
in organization, wealth, influence, COM
mand of the polls, was with the democra-
cy, and they failed not to use it; but the
republicans did splendid work in bring
ing up their undisciplined strength to the
polls, and giving it the first successful
lesson in discipline and the knowledge OF
its power The Louisville Commercial,
republican paper, that fought the good
fight boldly and well, spoke of the result
on the day after the election as follows;
Whatever may be the result of the election
yesterday. SO far as men are concerned it is
ndisputable that its effect upon the future
of Kentucky will be felt and acknowledged
long after the issues are forgotten. The Re-
publican ticket may have been defeated by
large majority. Its opponents may enjoy
by bonfire and torchlight, with parade and
Qualification, the present and immediate fruits
of victory, Yet, after all, the Republican
party has gained great and glorious triumph
-one which will be felt when the names of
the candidates of yesterday are lost among
the host of triumphant or defeated politicians
of the past
We have said that in any event the Repub-
licans Of Kentucky may congratulate them
selves on moral victory. Why? Through
out the length and breath of our State the
people, whose interest is good government
have heard the issues of the hour freely and
openly discussed. Men who have for years
been accustomed to learn their political faith
from the adherents of the Bourbon Democra-
cy have at last learned that there are two
sides to this, as to every other story. Men
who have for years accepted as unquestioned
truths the widest statements of local politi-
clans have been astonished to find that the
most solemn assertions of Partizans may
with safety lie taken with some grains of al
lowance.
The right and the policy of free discussion
of all public questions has been asserted. and,
| to great extent, admitted in Kentucky in the
present canvass. This, we take 1t, IS a vlcto-
ry for Republicanism.
There are other, we believe, good reasons
why the election of yesterday is to the Repub-
lican party great moral victory. For many
years immigration has passed us by. wall
higher and more formidable than the Chinese
wall has heretofore shut out and turned aside
the tide Of immigration that ever flows from
the East and Europe toward the West.
most monstrous breach has been made in that
wall by the election yesterday. 1t invited to
our untitled lands the capital and strong
hands of all Europe and our Eastern States
1t says that the day of brute force and bar
barrie violence is past; that Kentucky is open
to conviction to all the new and grand ideas
of modern civilization; that the day of coer-
Glen is past. and the day of discussion, free,
omen and untramelled, commenced.
| The old-time catchwords of the dominant
| marty in Kentucky will henceforth decrease
| in potency until intelligent men will be
ashamed to acknowledge they ever had power
in this free commonwealth. We will hereaf-
ter hear less of Negro equality and all its re-
lated humbugs than heretofore. The vote
cast by the colored Kentuckians will be close
| lv scanned, and in the next democratic State
| Convention, instead of three colored dele
gates, we will probably find thirty Less
hesitancy henceforth will be manifested and
Expressed as to the right and policy of educa-
ting every child in the Commonwealth. The
question as to the right of colored men to ties.
tify in our courts will soon disappear from
our politics. The right of all men to equality
before the law will become more and more
pronounced, acknowledged and admitted
right. Is not this a victory? As the smoke
of the battle clears away, we are sure our re-
publican friends will find new and unexpect-
ed reasons for rejoicing and congratulation.
| A few more such victories to our democratic
brethren will prove, az has been said, more
disastrous than a confessed and signal defeat,
| for from this day the tactics, the watchwords,
the principles of.that party change and take
color from the advancing ideas of the times.
Perforce, the new departure commenced to-
day in the ranks of the Old Guard OF the
| democratic party aJ-L--
We most religiously believe that victory
| to the republican ticket on yesterday would
have been worth to Kentucky twenty mill
ions of dollars that it would have brought to
us capital, men, ideas, that would have placed
us abreast Northern States, which, with less
advantages, are outstripping US in the race OF
progress; that it would have told in thunder
tones to all civilization that glorious old Ken
lucky, abused, derded, DETAINED, as she has
been in the past, is resuming her pristine
power and her mantle of youth and is ready
to take part with the States and nations of the
day in the grand work of advancement.
The Post insists upon its statement that the
tonnage tax is payable whenever vessel en-
tiers home port, and quotes two intelligent
ship owners to that purpose, as follows:
A Unknown ship builder like Mr.. Blanch.
ard of Yarmouth, Maine, declares it is an
"exorbitant" duty; and. contrary to the as
sertion of the Advertiser, says it is collected
every time one of his ships returns to a home
port, which is one great reason why he keeps
them from four to eight years out of the
country. Mr.. White, republican ship-buid-
er of Belfast, says the tonnage tax is Sim
mense," and that lit must be repeated every
time ship comes to a home port" he certain
ly knows about that.
The act of Congress says "The tonnage
"duty now imposed on all ships, vessels or
commerce, shall be levied once within one
"year, and when paid by such ship, vessel,
cor steamer, no further tonnage shall be col