Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-16
THE BOURBONS AHEAD.

THE BOURBONS AHEAD.
The nomination of Mr.. Eaton of Hart
ford for senator by the democrats OF the
Connecticut legislature is another triumph |
of the Bourbon democrats over the liberal
wing of the party. He was outspoken at
the opening OF the rebellion against the
policy of coercion towards the seeding
States, advocating the plan Of allowing
them to withdraw peaceably from the
Union. His denuneiations of war meas
became obnoxious to the loyal clement OF
the State. Soon after the Presidents first
call for volunteers he made speech in
which he denounced the war policy as
"the sending of abolition assassins to cut
the throats of our southern brethren" and
expressed the hope that the southern peo-
pie would welcome Lincoln's hirelings
with bloody hands to hospitable graves"
All through the war he was and opposer Of
the military measures of the government,
not secretly but openly and defiantly, and
by no means taking pains to conceal the
contempt which he felt for that class of
democrats who gave the war countenance
and support.
The selection of man of this type of
political character for United States Sena-
tor by the democracy of Connecticut in
preference to one with more moderate,
conservative and loyal record, is one of
the events of the last twelvemonth which
goes to show that the Bourbon element
controls the democratic organization. The
nomination of Bill Allen for governor of
Ohio was the first significant sign that the
Bourbons were coming to the front and
that Greeleyites must 60 the rear. Now
comes the nomination of Eaton for sena-
tor, adding another to the victories of the
Bourbons over the opposing faction, which
contested the election of Eaton on the
ground that man of less radical opinions
and less obnoxious war record was
needed to harmonic the democracy and
draw into their organization disconnected
republicans.
AAC ACdhluH Va thIo hoihiii.itioh W III
eral republicans is that no union is sought
with them by the democrats except upon
the principle of total surrender to the ultra
wing of the democracy. They are re-
his offensive war record and his radical
ideas in regard to State rights, as their
leaders in the future. 1t would seem that
more conciliatory course would have
been expedient, but the Boul bons are
bound to rule or ruin the organization
with which they are connected, and so
they use no measures to conciliate and
harmonic the elements that make up the
opposition to the republicans. They have
endured no small amount Of abuse and
persecution from the liberal wing, for
which they propose TO have satisfaction
in full whenever opportunity favors them.
This nomination was made with n full I'M
Outstanding that it was tantamount to
kicking the liberals out of the party.
Warnings were given from high authori-
ties in the liberal camp that it was dan
gerous thing to try. but they were disre-
garded. The very large vote which Eaton
received over his competitor witnesses
that the Bourbon rule in Connecticut is
powerful and unrelenting.
There is scarcely shadow of a doubt
that the Bourbons will control the next
national democratic convention, or that
they will make it offensive in candidate
and platform with the flavor of copper
headism and secession. The triumph OF
the Bill Allen democracy in Ohio, the be-
stowal of the democratic nomination for
Speaker upon Fernando Wood, and the
nomination of Eaton for senator, are
events indicative Of the rise and complete
ascendency of the Bourbons within the
democratic organization. We are conf
dent. however, that the Bourbons will run
but short race. The people of this
country are not going to put the govern
ment in the keeping of those men who
were its enemies in time of peril. Oc-
casionally under peculiar circumstances
such men may find their way into the SEN
ate or secure election to some important
State Office, but such cases are excep-
tional. Against the Aliens, Woods and
Eaton, and the opinions which they repre-
sent, there is vast majority in this
country, which would unite solid iii any
effort needed to prevent the Bourbons
clutching the government. There might
be hope of loyal democrat receiving the
vote of his party for President, but a dis
loyal democrat would make sorry show
as candidate.
THE NATIONAL CENTENNIAL.