Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-11-14
THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSIBLE
TTY

IF the democrats were to make any con-
siderable gains at alp says the Albany
Journal 1--WE are glad they have carried a
majority in the House of Representatives.
If they were to have the glory, we are
glad they are also to have the burden of
the victory. II there was to be any ex-
preston of dissatisfaction with the Repub-
lican party, we are glad the Democracy
are invested with share of power and re-
sponsibility. For the first time in many
years. their pretensions will now be put
to the practical test. To their vehement
promises and professions the country will
apply the tombstone Of actual experience
1t is very easy to inveigh against the
party in power There is no difficulty in
denouncing the policy and measures of
the past and present, so long as the assail-
ants are not compelled to show what they
would themselves do. To deal wisely
and satisfactorily with the most complica-
ted problems, is one thing-to indulge in
mere indiscriminate opposition and mere
empty promises is qnite another thing.
Through all the great struggle over the
reconstruction of the South and the reor-
ganization of our finances, the Democracy
have had this great political advantage.
The republicans, they said, have misman-
aged the Sonth-give us power and we
will restore peace and order. The repub-
licans have had no successful financial
policy-give US power and We will restore
specie payments. The republicans have
produced hard times-give us power. and
we will rekindle every fire that has gone
out in the forge, and start every wheel
that has stopped in the mills. aud revive
every industry that has grown languid,
and give employment to every man who
is out of place. And so they have rupg
the changes on republican performance
and on democratic promise.
But now they must face the reckoning.
Now they must themselves advance from
promise to performance. When they en-
ter the popular branch OF Congress with q
majority. we shall say to them: Gentle
men, now what do you propose to do ?
What is your policy respecting the South ?
What plan do you offer for returning to
specie payments9 What are the provis-
ions of your promised act entitled an act
to abolish hard times and stimulate lam
gushing business? No backwardness,
no hesitation-you have had plenty oftime
during all these years to mature your pol
icy. Don't attempt to escape by saying
that the President and Senate are against
you and may defeat whatever you attempt.
Try them. Pass your great measures and
put upon the President and the Senate the
responsibility of defeating them if they
dare The people have given you the
power of initiating egislation--now let
us see what you will do with it.
The democrats will find that to meet
such demand is very different thing
from waging irresponsible opposition.
And they must face it from the very be-
ginning. The new Congress meets twelve
months hence, and our only regret is that
it doesn't meet to- morrow. But from the
frs: day of the session the responsibility
will press upon them. They have no
clearly de6ned policy concerning the
South. Whatever tendency they have is
simply an oyer-powering impulse to I'M
dermine reconstruction and let loose again
the antagonistic and brutal forces whose
conflict has already produced SO many ca
lamities. So on the currency and the
finances they have no harmonious and in
telligible propositions to offer. The dem
ocrats of New York talk of hard money
the democrats Of the West demand more
paper. If there is to be any agreement
between these conflicting ideas, it will be
in favor of imitation. The democrats OF
Ohio and Indiana have declared with equa
emphasis for the overthrow Of the Nation
q Bank system. Upon all these question,
the republicans will. from the first day OF
the session. force them to the issue. Cen