Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-05

| ATiouHe OoeS not ike Ifant, hence 1t turns
its guns upon the republican party. If
Grant were not the spontaneous, first
choice of the republican masses for Presi-
dent, there might be cause for dissatisfac-
ton at the prospect of his denomination,
but there is no installing the sentiment of
the party upon the matter. The letter of
J. S. p. is based upon the French arms de-
bate in the Senate, and was written at the
early stage. We publish it for its views
upon party matters in general
| The whole melee has grown out of the fact
! that Mr.. Sumner insists on a preamble to his
resolutions of investigation of the sale of arms
to the French agents, which preamble asserts
| \ good deal more than the administration men
can stomach. They are willing to investi
gate, but they are not willing to plead guilty.
1t is to provoke debate to ask them to do it.
Mr.. Morton has resisted and resented the as.
sault with force and naturaness. He has de-
bated the subject as political question in
tended to damage the administration, and in
troduced solely for that purpose. This is
identity the sincere opinion of Governor Nor
ton. and he leaves the impression on his au-
diences that he is not going far from right.
Mr.. Sumner, no doubt, thought there was
something that required looking into. But
then he was prompted to his conclusions by
his dislikes and his suspicious of the men in
Office. Mr.. Schurz backed him, and has done
q good share of the work thus far. But Schurz
is = pronounced anti administration man, and
says he wont vote for Grant if he is nominat-
ed. He says he is pledged to reform, and
talks as though there were q reform party
rising on the horizon. He is prepared to
step into that car when it comes along. Mean
time he balances himself on the edge of the
fence that divides the two great parties. 1t
10 4 free zone, of narrow proportions, which
, he will widen if he can.
There 10 nothing new, and so far as can
see, nothing very threatening in the situation.
No great party can be for a great length of
time entirely harmonious. Many men get SO
near to the front that they think they are en-
titled to the lead, and make good deal of
complaint If it 10 not given to them. We have
I had lots of experience of this sort in our owl
l. political history, and the world has always
been full Of it. This is what is the matter
q now. Prominent men fall into quarrels, and
H. long talks and idle debates are the conse.
,e quence. 1t is phase Of politics partaking
to quite too much of the character of personal
he gossip and scandal to be at all agreeable &c
d, the immortal mind. 1t is the scum and rub
al bish of public life. The more sluggish the
ny current, the more this rubbish accumulates
nc The everlasting dissatisfactions that politica
he life breeds are as natural as musketoes after
n. = shower. The only remedy is to cultivate
he the virtues of elf-dcnial and unselfshness
I'd But these are not the virtues that most dis
al tingrish the pushing men Who swarm in pub
N lie life.
to The most efficient cOrrectOr of all this, ex-
ID perience shows to be party organization. II
Is often harsh and tyrannical and hard to bear.
- But it seems to be the best remedy we have.
9 1t 10 simply the application of the majority
p principle among body of men, who, agree
}. ing in general objects. unite to support them.
/. This involves concession and self abnegaton.
}. If mans principles and convictions won't
% bear the trials they impose, he is under no
n obligation to join or remain in associations OF
j. this sort. But the ambitious men generally
.. find their account in swallowing their disgust
"a and holding on to the party. 1t is a bulwark
n to the strong and shelter to the weak.
The average Republican who possesses his
. soul in patience, is unmoved by the present
Il trials Of the party They are no more than
!. ordinary past experience would lead him to
expect. They are the squalls and head winds
of the voyage. When the clamor of the al
tercation is over, he expects the party will
meet together and settle their differences by
voting on them. The vote 10 the only precip.
itator. 1t gives color at once. 1t is only by
voting that we can settle the personalities
of politics. If a party is net resolute enough
in its purposes to support candidates fol
places, who are selected by the majority, i,
is no party, and the individuals Of which il
is composed will Illustrate their own objects
:. But the Republican party is believed still to
be firm and vigorous, and to have well defined
and we'll intentioned ends, that the great body
/. of its members do not intend shall be sacri-
feed. They look forwad, therefore, to the
: Philadelphia Convention as the authoritative
= exponent of its views, and, as party neces-
sity, they will undoubtedly abide by that ex-
preston. Nobody can dispute that the Re-
publican party is going to be fully represent
o ed there, and we may conclude fairly also.
And it 10 almost equally clear that what is done
there will be ratified at the polls.
The Democratic party is as noiseess as a
!. cat in pursuit of her prey. while the agita-
# tions of their adversaries are in progress.
If they were all shod in sheep skin shoes,
with the wool turned outward, they could not
move more quietly. But they are preparing
o for the final spring, with as determined an
l. intent as ever. They will encourage the
a growth of third party, torn from the Re-
= publican organizations, to the last moment,
Is and then they will meet and nominate a can
p didate Of their own, and, showing a moderate
!, platform and conservative candidate,
" will invite the dissatisfied from every cave
of Adullam in the land. If anything can be
prognosticated ut this stage of the play, such
: Is the programme. And there is reason in it.
Q 1t 10 based on the supposition that any Repub-
: lican who has made or shall make up his
mind not to vote for Grant, if he is nomina-
ted, will 60 for Groesbeck as soon as for
: Trumbull or David Davis.