The Portland daily press., 1871-06-29
The Augusta Ollapodrida, or Jeff Davis's
PORTLAND.

The Augusta OllapOdrida, or JEFF. Davls's
Platform for the Maine Democracy.
The Democracy departed" on Tuesday, sure |
enough, but instead of going toward, they |
made bold and decided movement back to-
ward the dark ages. OF all the 'new depar-
lures" ever made this is most radical. we |
doubt il in all political literature there can DE
found more ludicious medley than the first |
resolution of the Augusta platform potpour-
ri of incongurous elements caused by an at
tempt of the members of the committee to
depart in different directions. The result is a
compound of the most extraordinary character,
tie general purport of which is an ill-natured
submission to the Constitution of the United
States, and denancidtion of the means by
schich it became the supreme laao of the land.
but here it is-a fitting monument to the
insincere attempt of the Democracy oil Maine
TO clothe themselves in garments of virtue
and intelligence which do not belong to
them:
Resolved, That burying out of sight all dead
issues, and deprecating the discussion OF the
past questions that eau have no application 10
the present affairs and condition OF our State
and country, we address ourselves to the vital
issues and QuoSblO0S OF bue 0Ouf, bringing bDcm
to and determining them by the living prin-
cipes OF Democracy, as promulgated by the
fathers of the republic that we recognize our
binding obligation to the constitution of the
United States, as it now exists, denouncng
the means by which the same became the SUI
preme law of the land; that we will faithfully
support the constitution of the United States
as it now exists, and that we demand for it
strict construction, so as to protect equally
ha inh nf tot md tuI,,
Here is little of Emery to begin with, to
satisfy the retrogressive majority, followed by
little Clifford TO appease the progressive mi
nority, supplemented by an attack on the
means by which the whole constitution was
adopted, this clause being added as an amend
ment in open convention, softened again by
formal adhesion to the Constitution, and all
loyal professions completely and finally vitiat-
ed and nullifed by demand for strict con-
struction of the Constitutions demand
which is not only intended to cut off all legis-
lation necessary to enforce the principles the
Democracy SO "cheerfully" accept, but revive
the obsolete doctrines of the State rights
and secession school OF southern politicians !!
Could Daniel Pratt be more incoherent ?-or
could Andrew johnson himself cruelty drive
into enforced and reluctant companlonship
doctrines so antagonistic and phrases so r-
reconcaole? Did the rhetorical figure non
sequitw ever before find itself compelled to
do so hard days work? aa.
Let individuals as well as political parties
take warning. We see here the natural result
of dishonesty and insincerity. A political
party with criminal record comes before the
people for their suffrages Its leaders know
form experience that the people will not con-
done its disgraceful and wicked past without
evidence OF sincere repentance and REFORM
But at heart they are as devoted as ever to
their anti-democratic heIesies. They see the
necessity of protesting humane, progressive
and loyal spirit for the sake of attaining GER
tain material advantages, but they are really
still in the gall of bit erness and the bond of
iniquity. They hate with all the intensity of
their souls that magnificent structure of con-
stitutionsl guarantees for the liberty and for
the civil and political rights of every citizen
of the Republic which will be an eternal mon
ument to the patriotism and generous hui
manity of their political opponents. And
that hatred is so deep and SO bitter that no
carefully prepared formula-no artfully franz
ed retraction, designed to subserve their i'm
mediate purposes-can prevent it from blaz-
ing up and casting its lurid glare over the
whole crazy structure. Confusion of thought
and expression, principles neutralizing each
other forced into mere mechanical union,
the darkest obscurity and the grossest absurd
ity, exciting the contempt and derision of
gods and men, are results that sufficiently
punish the men who attempt to commit so
atrocious fraud