Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-19
The Same Old Issues.
To the Editor Of the Journal:

am deeply interested in the issues Of the
pending Presidential contest. l see pitted
against each other those same parties and
principles that have been struggling SO long
one for the supremacy Of justice, humanity,
and equal rights; the other for the overthrow
of constitutional liberty and the Inauguration
of slaveholding oligarchy. The same ele-
ments Of discord that plunged our country
into war in 1861 are now at work to commit
this Republic to the keeping of those who
sought to crush out its life and erect despot-
ism in its stead, compared with which the
monarchies of Europe are mild indeed. Those
same men who for four memorable years
sought to pierce the heart Of the nation can
not rest content with the thought of their own
infatuated adherents and the thousands of ad-
vocates Of freedom who sacrificed their lives
for the maintenance of the right; but must
seek anew to stir up the smouldering fires Of
rebellion and treason. Those vindictive trait
ors Of the South have become so blunted to
sll sense of magnanimity that, though sorely
and irretrievably defeated in bloody conflict
of their own inception, they caunot raise
their shameless faces and acknowledge their
defeat rs becomes conquered foe, but they
must covertly endeavor to stab again at the
life of the nation. Venturing their all they
speculated upon the chances of Remembering
the Union and building power after their own
evil designs. Defeated in the project and
left to 60 unpublished, again they strive to
borrow capital Of the nation they plotted
against, that they may renew their execrable
attempts. Had they been dealt with as trait
ors at the close of the war no such conten-
ton would now be going on. But crime
unpublished will ever be repeated. So we
to-day, see those same evil spirits striving to
embroil the nation. So we see those skulk
ing whelps snatching at the reins of govern
ment. In our country municipal govern
ments imprison thieves and murderers when
caught. But in this country shall it also be
said that the people elect men to execute laws
which those men have aimed to destroy? God
forbid that we should entertain such thought!
But have more confidence in the integrity
Of the nation than to anticipate such a calam-
ity. Our country's enemies ask US to clasp
hands across the "bloody chasam." Had they
stretched out their hands in 1865 and seeing
their defeat had confessed it, and had prom
ised submission to the laws as enacted by our
common forefathers, then in the grief of our
hearts, because of our country's affairs reek-
ing with the blood of its patriotic sons, we
chn how oil 2lv tod hon
disability, in the exercise of equal rights.
But when our country's enemies demand to
strike hands across the chasm in which see
its defenders wrthing in the agonies of their
death wounds, and thousands of fathers,
mothers, wives and children pouring in their
tears upon them, cannot consent to the
enormity and danger of being hurled in head
long myself. When the millennium comes, or
it may be an hundred years hence, at least,
when the members of the democratic party
consider the welfare of the nation and not
pure personal selAshness and aggrandize-
meut, l will cheerfully join them; but
not till then, unless, like Horace Greeley,
and Charles Sumner, and Gen. Banks, and
A"So' Ahsoh, OCSOmc uttcTJy etuItlUeQ In
reason and understanding. Whenever that
time comes will promulgate what affirm
to be the truth to-day, and Tomorrow will
reprobate all my best acts as pernicious and
detestable. That any man should set forth su oh
principles and defend them 80 mercilessly as
Horace Greeley has for the most part during
the past forty years and that he should en-
tirely abandon those opinions without previ-
GUS warning is matter worthy of notice in the
present state of affairs. 1t certainly argues
some woful mental laxity. Horace Greeley
is rs certain to be most ANONYMOUSLY defeat
ed the fifth of November next, as that day is
sure to come. The people of the Union too
already see the errors into which the demo-
Gratis are wheedling them. The best argu-
ments of the democratic party are all rags
and tatters. And never will the soldiers of
the Union dig up their buried comrades and
battle for treason behind their bones.
A REPUBLICAN.
1t appears by the Portland Press that when