Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-27
WILL THEY DO ITf

The proudest boast of the democratic
all its defeats it solaced itself with the idea
that its principles continue the same, from
Thomas Jefferson to the present date. As
the father so the son. 1t would be about
as easy task to convince a dyed-in-the-
wool, double-and-twisted, genuine, mod
ern democrat that the kennebec can
change its course and run backward from
the sea to the mountains, rs to make him
sensible that democracy ever changes.
Upon this platform he has heretofore
stood immovable, and the idea has been a
power in the party.
To-day the democracy of Maine propose
to demolish this idea. They do not under
take to disguise their intention. They
propose to take neW departure, to strike
out neao course, to adopt new principles,
in contradistinction to the old Hence
forth and forever, should they do it, there
is an end to the Boosting of democracy
hat the party never changes. 1t will not
be merely the assertion of republicans
that they have changed, but it will be con-
fessed by the action of their own conven-
ton and expressed in their own resolutions.
However the heart may be, the record
will show that the democracy have de-
parted from their former ways. 1t would
be an insult even upon democrats to in
sinuate that after taking the new depart
ure, after endorsing negro suffrage, they
understand that they are the same in prin-
ciple as they were when they voted against
negro suffrage, providing they are honest.
VI course this is an unmistakable, irrepara-
BILE break of the long chain of unchange-
ableness from Thomas Jefferson down to
this time, never to be denied, for it will
be done under the very hand and seal of
democracy itself in solemn convention
assembled. This will be the outward APP
pearance at least; of the inward state of
feeling let the public judge, as most as
suredly it will with unerring judgement.
And what change! Had the democra-
cy started off upon some new idea about
the tariff, or immigration, or started some
new principle, there would be nothing re-
markable about it, but to go back and de-
liberately eat their own platforms for the
last ten years, stamp them as false and
pernicious, grind them under their feet
and adopt in their stead and endorse the
very principles and measures that the re.
publicans have had inscribed upon their
banners for the same time, this is change
indeed After they have got through the
task of taking the new departure, we think
they will feel like the fellow who ate a
crow upon wager. Being asked how he
liked it he replied in the midst of retching
and vomiting, 81 can eat crow, but darned
if banker arter it" To acknowledge
negro equality will be nauseating dose
for democrats, worse than eating crow.
viii they do it? That is the question be-
fore the convention to-day. The nomina-
ton OF kimball is all arranged. There is
no trouble about settling a matter of so
title consequence as that, but to depart
or not Is subject of deep Importance.
We have no doubt that the deed will he
done, that there will be good deal OF
honest opposition, but that the new Mat
form of old republican principles will be
adopted.