The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-05
Back Seats.

A witty young democrat recently de,
nounced the idea of the Democracy making
nominations, and closed with the remark
that ''the Democratic party could only rid
itself of its sins and ther consequences by
disbandipg and going through the fires of
purgatory one or more years, in order to be
worthy of political heaven" Without stat
Ing our belief about pufgatory in general, we
doubt if any process of publication will
prove sufficiently effective to restore the old
Democratic leaders under any name to the
confidence and respect of the country. The
party name is doubtless tainted with the dis
honorable uses to which it has been prostitute
cd, hub rne men wne nave upheld the party
standard the past fifteen years ana are to-day
the controlling element of the organization,
are more odious to the mass of the intelli-
gent voters of the country than any party
name can possibly be. Before the war the
crimes of these party leaders because of their
devotion to slavery were enough to condemn
it. During the war they gave to the utmost
their moral support to the enemi9. of the
country, and the resolutions of their conven-
lions and the utterances of their journals
gave assurance to the rebels to continue the
war. The old Federal party, by its oppo-
sition TO the war Of 1912, was utterly de-
stroyel and its leaders condemned TO politi-
cal oblivion. What then should he the fate
of the party leaders who led an organization
to give full support to the enemy of the ma
ton? Since the war, until within two years,
they have labored to nullify all the results of
the long and costly struggle until they saw
the utter hopelessness Of gaining power by
that course. Since that time they have been
beating about without any fixed principles.
except those vague assertions that are "suit-
ed to all times and circumstances" Indeed,
by their own declarations, they, as party
leaders, are unworthy of public respect. The
Democratic party that they led and cham
pioned is only known in the administrations
of Polk, Pierce and Buchanan. In their res
olutions do they ever refer to these as con-
spicuous examples of patriotism and states
manship? Never; they refer to Jefferson
and Jackson who had passed away before
they assumed the party control.
The old leaders are The Jonahs on the Dem
ocratic ship; and no political craft can make
a successful voyage under their control. They
are obnoxious to the country, and no party
can hope to succeed that allows them to APP
councils. They are political outcasts who
can never again retrieve their lost fortunes.
The only place for them is on The back seats,
and so far back that they will never again be
seen or heard. When will they learn this?
IN one representative district Of the State,
at least. there seems to be a lively contest,
despite-he prevailing hull in politics. John
G. Manson of Pittsfield is Democratic candi-
date for the House. He is one of those DEM
Gratis who want to get into power in order to
purify things and prevent corruption. In the
county convention of Somerset county he
made an elaborate speech, dwelling largely
on personal Purity in Politics. And
now there appears little tract on "Per-
sonal Purity in Politics." consisting simply
of reprint of case from the Maine Re.
ports, in which Mr.. Manson figures rather
discreditably. 1t seems that he sold patent
clothes wringer, which was worthless, takin G
note on time, of which he made pretend
ed sale to a friend TO avoid the defense of the
maker on the ground of fraud and the failure
of consideration. Ip the course OF the CASE
the facts are made clearly to appear and judg
ment is given to the defendant. The opinion
is drawn by Judge Walton and is. of course
sharp, incisive and luminous, not failing tt
comment with great severity on Manson:
conduct in the affair. Whether he be elected
or not, he must feel that the clothes wringei
business has become dsgustingly conspicu-
Gus and the notorety thus acquired will be
likely to stick to him. A good sample of the
Democratic ''reformer."