Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-27
MASSACHUSETTS,.

MASSACHUSETTS,.
The republican State committee OF Mass
achusetss have issued an address to the PEG
pie of that commonwealth to prepare them
for the coming election. Little has been
done to awaken the voters. The energy
of the republicans seems to have been ex-
pended upon the State Convention. Since
the nomination of Washburne it appears
to be understood that the State Is safe
without work. SO this manifesto from the
State committee is all the sign of life the
republicans give.
The address opens with brief refer
ence to the great work the republican
party has accomplished in the nation. In
this work it states that the republican party
of Massachusetts has performed its part
faithfully and well. 1t has given the State
a succession of honest and honorable ad-
ministrations. None Of its public servants
have proved false to their trusts. The re-
ligious, moral and educational wants of
the community have been well cared for.
The reform of abuses has received the
most careful consideration. The State
has been prosperous. The course of the
party has been such as to entitle it to the
confidence OF the people. The address
then continues
In view of what has already been done, it
does not seem that the republican party of
nhusaffs ia palIad m e;v
pledges, or to prepare for new departure.
Whatever may be its faults and failures, it is
entitled to that respectful hearing and charit-
able regard which good general character al
ways receives, and which are reluctantly and
slowly bestowed upon a doubtful reputation.
Can it be supposed that party believing in
education and morality, as the best founda
tons Of society, would fail to enquire after
and secure the best methods of social reform ?
The advocates and friends of virtue and tenn
perance know well that to the great mass of
the virtuous and temperate of this Common
wealth, the principles and traditions of the
republican party are as dear as the tenderest
memories of trial and sacrifice can make them
They know well that TO the republican party,
moreover, belong great numbers of reform
ers, who believe in the good order and high
tone of society, and who enforce their re-
forms by precept and practice alike. They
know too what this party has done to encour-
age the people in the exercise of good habits
by every appeal, and wise and prudent legs.
lation. In the accomplishment of every re.
form, the republican party offers an encour
aging opportunity for every man within it,
own ranks. Standing as it does upon certain
great general principles of government, il
which the civil rights of all, the highest ant
the lowest. are recognized, it would encour.
oil thn zoe IL. +. IL.
q high position among those great or
CARNATIONS which have accomplished vas
service in mans progress; and its platform il
broad enough to include all who have7 til,
welfare of mankind most at heart 1t has no
reached that stage of life when its weakness
and defects outweigh its strength and its use
fulness, and when the highest political virtue
is for its own sons to ignore and defy it, II
1t is yet in the vigor of youth, with its work
but half accomplished, and furnishing no ex
cuse for that vigorous destruction which il
properly applied to decayed and WORKOUT
structure.
1t is not always an indication of political
purity to organize party on side issue. II
is not always an indication of sound states
manship to set up on ones own account. 1t
is by no means difficult to sheer at religious
and political devotion; and to apply the
names of party-hack and bigot to those who
are devoted and faithful. But it is Difficult,
to exercise wisdom and prudence and cour.
age in guiding the councils of great party
or to that contamination for which it is de-
signed. There is time in every finite ex-
istence, when there is no opportunity for re-
newed life, but in destruction and decay.
But that hour has not yet arrived to that par
ty which having purified our civil system, is
now engaged in the harder toll of erecting a
sound civil structure upon the regenerate
soil. There is no reason to suppose that this
party will fail in the work of reform. That
it has labored, and is still laboring, as il
should, to suppress intemperance, let its
record bear witness. That it has opened the
doors for the discussion of suffrage to all,
and for the accomplishment of the broadcast
foundation for the exercise of this right, every
advocate OF female suffrage knows we'll
That it recognizes the rights and necessities
OF labor, all the methods it has established in
this Commonwealth and in the country to in
quire into the condition of the laboring peo-
PIE, and TO bring those, young and old, who
hVe by daily toll, into the most prosperous
anu independent position, give ample testi-
mohy. That 1t would elevate the civil ser
wee OF the country, the opportunity il has
afforded those interested in this reform bv
legislative and executive courtesy, is fresh in
the memory of all conversant with nublic
affairs. What it has already done in these
various directions, is but an earnest of what
it to do in the future, guided and impelled
by that spirit which has thus far anin,atod
it, and which is its natural inheritance. A.
Macauley says Of modern science, at is law
in progress. A point which yesterday wa,
invisible is its goal to-day, and will be il,
starting-p point Tomorrow"