Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-07
POLITICAL ISSUES,

'n Considerable effort is being made to
raise issues for political organization.
That there is difficulty in the effort argues
the lack Of substantial grounds of opposi-
ton to the republican party. If the par
~ stood upon false principles, Or were not
administering the affairs of the govern
ment in the main with fidelity and success,
there would be no need ofarduous search
ing for some assailable point. Issues
would arise Of themselves. Parties would
/ form around them naturally. The New
< York Times in an editorial reviewing the
issues attempted to be raised says:
Al far As the question of morality in pub.
hc men 10 concerned, there can never be
more than one side to it. Neither party will
ever stray itself openly on the side of i'm.
!. morality. Neither, We fear, will either ever
make all its public men pure and honest,
Whatever effect the question has on the for
D. tunes OF parties will come, not from an omen
p contest, but from silent forces. Men without
strong regulations will be dropped in doubt
ful districts; there will be good deal Of quiet
and some acknowledged boiling in specific
+ instances on both sides. But there will be
no general issue made. The net result of
whatever influence the question exerts will be
in favor OF the Republican party, for the rea-
-. son that, whatever may be said against indi.
viduals, the majority both OF leaders and rank
and hle in the Republican party is overwhelu,.
ingly on the side Of public virtue. And this
- u. tsus "a. . fas greater extent Of the Republi
can party than of the Democratic party.
The failroad question is also one which
cannot very soon enter directly into politics
II will, of course, exercise a considerable in
fuence on the positions of parties, which will
Be very different from what they were ter
yeaFs ago, when every platform rang with
demands for a railroad to the Pacific. But
no party will ever dare to take position on
the side of the railways. Both will probably
70 to extremes in whatever direction the pub
lie mind may take but neither party will
openly 20 counter to the passionate opposi-
ton nov rising against the railway compa-
mics. On the other hand, when il comes to q
comparison Of records, we believe the rail-
road agitation, also, will be borne with great
e. credit by the Republican party than by the
Democratic party. 1t will be found thata
Republican Congress rooted up the Credit
Aobilier combination, and took the fret prac
teal steps to bring the Pacific Railroad to &C.
coaatS II will aiso be found that the great
est politico-raitroad ring of modern times
the Erie-T smmaay Ring-wss overthrow
by the Republican party under the lead of a
Republican Press.
The coalition j0nrnals, however, are most
concerned absst NE revenue question, which
they are discussipg in charming spirit, the
Democradc journafs for the most part insist
- aiaat the Liberal platform on this subject
Was q mere '.ietch," and the Liberal papers
poinsipR ost that such an assertion proves its
suthors, on the face of it, to be themselves
base tricksters. We are fortunately able to
believe both sides. The platform ives