Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-16
DEMOCRATIC VALOR AND ECON
rs OMY,

e2 OMY.
The debate published in another column
upon the navy appropriation bill is worthy
the attention of our readers. 1t exhibits
the character Of the democratic side ofthe
House as fighting party, and indicates
the policy which it would pursue to lessen
the burdens of the ax-payers.
All at once there is loud cry for war
from the democracy. Mr.. Cox and his
party are sadly grieved at the condition OF
Cuba. Their compassionate and coura-
geous souls, which never were known to
have any sympathy with the. Union boys
who left home and friends tofighs the reb-
els. and whose valor was principally illus
trated by resisting the draft, running away
and opposing all measures for war when
we had a war of gigantic proportions upon
our hands, are moved to pity for suffering
Cuba and DESTROYS that our government
shall send an army of invasion to the
island. What beautiful sight to witness
the leader Of the party that met the reb-
els with peace resolutions; taunting the
generals, colonies, and soldiers Scared
with wounds received in their country's
defence on the battlefield. with pusillan-
unity. He without the smell of powder
upon him, with record opposed to fight
ing when fighting meant the salvation of
the Union and government; they marked
and MANNED with bullets, and possessed
Of records for patriotism and gallant deeds
that will honor their childrens' children
and make one of the brightest pages Of
the nations history! And this taunt is
uttered because they win not make war
upon Cuba. They are 'pusillanimousn be-
cause they will not yield to the demands
of the New York fillibusters; because they
viii not permit faction to lead or drive
the government into an expensive under
taking without justice or reason. The re-
buke which Mr.. Hawley administered TO
this valorous democratic chieftan ''spoil-
ing" for fight was richly merited. 1t will
teach him at least that the late war is not
forgotten, and that display of valour in
debate upon the floor of Congress in the
interest of fillibusters is very poor be-
ginning to retrieve reputation blackened
by connexion with the peace party from
81 to '65.
Equally as conspicuous for absurdity as
the cry Of war against Cuba to illustrate
democratic valor. is the course of the
democrats in their lamentations and de-
nunciations about the low state of the
treasury and the prospect of increased tax
alton, while at the same time doing their
utmost to force the government into war
with Spain.
There seems to be an utter blindness
among democrats to facts, or an incapaci-
ty to understand them. Here is a MAORI
ty Of them in the last Congress on record
as voting for the salary grab; majority
of them in the present Congress endorsing
the act by supporting Fernando Wood for
Speaker; and still they pirate about about
the extravaganza and corruption of the
administration as glibly as though they
were not responsible for the salary in
crease and back-pay. In the same line so
far as economy is concerned is the attempt
to hound the government into II war with
Cuba. r The arrangement of the finances
and reduction of the revenues by TIE mon
etary panic is such that the Secretary of
the Treasury has informed Congress and
the country that taxation must be in
creased, and at almost the same moment
Mr.. Cox takes the floor of the House and
urges steps to plunge the government in
to costly war. accusing the adminstra-
ton with cowardice because it objects.
To mitigate the burdens of the people he
proposes to go to war. This is democrat
ic economy. They denounce the admins
tration for extravaganza, and as a remedy
propose to set about taking Cuba, upon
which we have no claim whatever. This
exhibits the measure Of democratic econo.
my and the ideas Of justice and right which
govern its leaders. No party looking to
the interest of the country will advise a
resort to war to relieve the burdens of the
country. No party that has any regard