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


ted by portion of their rulers. The plum.
derers and their accompliees were not all OF
one party, but the more conspicuous and
powerful among them were so; and the peo-
pie struck at these as their readies st and surest
means of rebuking, arresting, and Furnishing,
the crimes which were sapping the founda-
tions of republican freedom. They could not
readily strike all those who had abused their
confidence; so they dealt decisvey with the
worst offenders, and reserved the rest for the
next opportunity. That is the gist of the
matter.
The Times which distinguished itself i'll
the battle against Tammany, and has
special reason to rejoice over the result.
says
The people have nobly responded to the ap-
peals made to them. We have gained a
greater victory than we dared to hope for.
| Once more can we be proud of our city and
State, and rest in perfect security that the
long reign of rascals and outlaws is over.
Although the Tammany leaders delayed can
vassing the vote until past midnight, and when
we write-at in the morning-the full re-
turns are not in, enough is known to show
that a splendid triumph is gained. This
comes of the people interfering in their own
affairs. All honor to the many estimable cit
liens who for weeks past have been sGcrifc-
ing personal comfort to the welfare of the
communty-canvassing from house to house,
and inducing the people who have not voted
for years past to assist in redeeming our city
now! They have their reward. Let us hope
that they will never again relapse into indif-
erence concerning their own affairs.
| Will anybody say now that it is of ''no use"
to fight Tammany? Will the croakers tell
us to day that honest citizens stand no chance
against corrupt politicians? The victory we
have won is priceless, not only from what it
gives us now, but because it will revive every
mans faith in the ultimate triumph of truth
and justice-because it will teach scheming
politicians that the voice of the people is SUI
preme, and that the immortal principles on
which this Government is founded, although
they may be momentarily stihed by dishonest
factions, will constantly rise triumphant,
while the men who assailed them will pass
away to everlasting infamy.
The Post is not behind the other papers
in its rejoicing over the defeat of the cor
ruptionists.
The people of New York city yesterday
spoke out in answer to long years of degrad-
ing State legislation, to the insults and abuse
of thousands of critics throughout the world,
and to the assumption and insoence of the
consprators among themselves, who have
undertaken to tread them down. TO each
and all of these, the people of New York
have said, ''you are mistaken; we are capa-
BILE Of government"
Were the election to be held again, with
the new consciousness of power which the
| refo rmers have gained by yesterdays success,
the victory would be still more complete.
What has been done in the other Senate dis
tricts could now be done in the Fourth; the
| peoples conscience stirred, and their mind.
enlightened so that they would never agaiI
accept the disgrace of representation by Viii
liam NJ. Tweed. For the triumph of the re-
form movement once gained is final. 1t:
moral strength is accumulative, and would
carry it on to ultimate success had its first
great effort utterly failed. But it has begun
with victory, and can never be safely OPP
posed again. Nothing can exceed the rapid
| ty with which the conscious supporters of a
bad cause are scattered after their first defeat
except the haste of ''mob of thieves" to dis
perse when the police are seen approaching
| them in irresistible force.
| The people of New York have thus proved
themselves capable of self-government. They
thus teach the legislature of the State to let
them alone. Give us a truly republican char
| ter, one by which our local rulers, both exec
utive and legislative, shall be chosen by the
people and responsible to them; one in which
every citizen shall be conscious, whenever a
municipal election takes place, that the ques-
ton between an honest government and the
rule of thieves is to be decided; and the work
of yesterday will be constantly repeated.
Honest men will flock to the polls to vote,
and will surround them as their guardians
against fraud and violence; and the true will
of tho xuhiob 10, al,
will find expression in the result.