Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-11
STIFFENING UP.

. STIFFENLNG UP.
The ultra, Bourbon wing of the democ-
racy, is evidently bound to succeed this
time in impressing its opinions and policy
upon the party. There has been an ear
nest struggle going on all over the country
between the liberal or fusion democrats
and democrats of the Bourbon stripe.
Last year the liberal wing carried all be-
fore II, nominated Horace Greeley, and
uniting in platform and organization with
the faction Of republicans which he led,
allowed the name and principles OF
democracy to sink into neglect. After the
defeat of Mr.. Greeley there was a great
reaction among democrats against the
new departure" policy. All the disas-
tiers of the campaign were charged upon
the amalgamation with the liberal repub-
licans. j The liberal republican leaders
were roundly abused, as weak, incompe-
tent, unpopular, and guilty of deception
in representing the force at their backs as
mighty power when in fact it was but a
handful Such an effect had the result Of
the presidential election that it gave the
Bourbon element complete mastery of the
party. The masses acknowledged at once
that the nomination of Greeley was sad
blunder, that the Bourbons had been right
all the way along in their opposition to
him and the new departure, and that a
stv iavht dos rot an, 70 .lnt
form would have received more votes than
the trading and shilly-shally arrangement
fixed up at Baltimore.
A few weeks ago an attempt was made
in Allen county, Ohio. to repeat in the
democratic party the Greeley programme
OF last year, with some amendments, this
to be the initiation of general movement
all over the States. providing it promised
fair success. But the manner in which
the movement is received by the democ-
racy shows that the party have had enough
of new departures at present, and that they
prefer to lift up the old standard with the
party name and principles inscribed upon
it, and rally around Northumberland
champions oftheir legitimate faith, what
ever that may be. Recently Senator
Thurman Of Ohio has expressed his opin-
ion upon the matter, and as he is pro-
spective candidate of the democracy OF |
his State for governor or United States
senator, and a man of decided influence
and ability withal, his views are important
and very significant He does not hest
tate to say that the Allen county move
ment is mistake, that the masses of the
democratic party do not favor it, that the
more politicians talk of disbanding the
party the closer the masses viii cling to
it, that mere change Of name effects
nothing and that the formation Of a party
with no higher object than success never
did and never will succeed. He is not at
all frightened at being told that the demo-
Gratis have been beaten for twelve years,
and tells his friends they must not be dis
couraged if they are beaten three times
twelve years, for even so were the old
time opponents OF the democracy. And
thus discourses Mr.. Thurman upon the re-
cent new departure.
And from remarks like these and the |
general expression which prevails among
democrats everywhere, in their leading
papers, in their meetings and private con-
Versauon, we are led to believe that liber-
alism is played out, that Mr.. Greeley is
not regarded SO kindly in the democratic
ranks as he was year ago, and that his
friends must take back seats in the man
agement ofdemoeratic affairs, while Bour.
bonism comes to the front and displavs
the musty, rusty and discarded banner
which twas buried when Horace Greeley
was nominated as the democratic candi- !
date for President. Senator Thurman al
lows his followers thirty-six years in which
TO regain power, but we think the limit is
hardly sufficient. The Wings were re-
spectacle party. never had engaged in re-
bellion, and that makes vast difference
in any comparison between them and
modern democrats. We think il will re-
quire at least the burial of two generations
more of democrats to get rid of the faint
Of the rebellion the third may possibly
stand some chance of electing a President.
The Standard calls the salary grab an
admini sfr finn ,,aa s,,ro r.. III,