The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-07
Pixies Pique.

Are these "reformers'' really honest men
Do these Liberals sincerely believe that they
are acting the part of good men and patriots
when they attempt to deliver up the general
government to JEFF. Davis and the Tammany
Ring, to fill Congress with Marcellus Emerys
and to make over the State to those patient
walters, the Pillsburys, Bradburys, Parrises,
Kimballs, Goulds and Rices ?-and when
they do these things because the Democrats
offer them a share of the expected spoils of
the copartnership? 1t is worth while to find
an answer to these questions. We firmly be-
lieve most of the ''Liberal'' leaders to be men
who are utterly void of principle and who,
by means of wire-pulling, log-rolling, bargain
and sale, are endeavoring to obtain for them
selves that provision from the public treasury
which the Republican party has denied them,
either ON account of their insignifcance or
their unworthiness. 1t is one of the most
uncongenial duties of journalist to point
out such facts to the public; but when many
worthy men are in danger of being misled by
political adventures there is no choice left
1t is our purpose, therefore, to give some
what detailed account of Hon. F. A. Pixies
later political history, both because he is the
ablest and most conspicuous gentleman en-
gagged in the Liberal movement, and because
in his case it will be impossible for any one
to say that this papers low estimate of his
integrity is accounted for by the fact that he
has become political opponent. Instead of
being embarrassed by the reflection that the
PRESS has for long time been hostile to
Mr. Pike, and never more so than at those I'M
certain intervals since he left Congress when
he has feebly supported the Republican cause,
we are placed in a better position by that
fact. This journal has always regarded him
as an unworthy member of the Republican
party, and has spared his notable short
comngs no more than it has those of sew
eral other undesirable adherents of the party
We rebuke him as Liberal with no more
severity than we have often rebuked him as a
Republican.
Mr.. Pike became a Performer in this
wise: Early in 1868, foreseeing that his re-
election for the fifth time was doubtful on
account of the dissatisfaction of his constitu-
ents, he seized upon the idea of reforming
the financial system of this country. In COM
mon with a majority of the Democratic
Congressman and almost every unprincipled
demagogue in the land, he believed that the
hard contract existing between the govern
ment and its creditors afforded an opportuui-
ty to revive their waning influence :by appeal
ing to the basest and most sordid popular
passions. Mr.. Pike, following Pendeton.
Cary and other regulators, must have reason
ed in this way: "My constituents are mainly
people in humble circumstances, and very
few of them hold government securities. By
advocating partial reputation of the nation
al debt, by refusing to recognize the validity
OF the contract to pay the ivs-twenties in
coin, shall instantly commend myself to
them as man who has studied their true
interests asd possesses the courage to advocate
them. Of course the dishonesty of the pro-
ceeding will not be considered by the immense |
majority of people whose pecuniary interests |
will appear to be promoted thereby So here
goes for payment of the debt in greenbacks." |
But Mr.. Pike did not understand the people |
of Eastern Maine among whom he had lived |
all his life. To his intense establishment and |
disgust he found that they were honest! His
fell utterly dead, and there came
20 him no cheering response from the humble
Folk to whose lowest instincts he had address
I'd himself. SIT is indeed hard bargain ,,
hey said, 'that we have made with III.
but our promises are sacred
Every dollar must be paid according to the
trict terms of our engagement" So Mr..
Pike had leave to stay at home, because he
lad been faithless alike to the cardinal prin-
.iples of Republicanism and of good morals.
Going to Washington in a state OF savage
liscontent to finish up his term we find him,
IN the oath of February, voting with sixty
Democrats and Western Republicans against
me hundred and ten Republicans and eleven
democrats against a bill $40 strengthen the
public credit" which declared that ''the
aith of the United States is solemnly pledged
o tne payment IN coin, or its equivalent, of
I'll the interest-bearing obligations of the
United States, except in cases where the law
the issue of any such OBLIGATION
las expressly provided that the same NAV he
'aid in lawful money or other currency than
,old and silver" On the same day he votaa
With the Democrats in favor of the Demo-
ratio Niblack's motion to strike out this
ital section of the bill, one hundred and
'oenty-one Republicans voting against the
notion. However, bill substantially like