Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-03
THE LIBERAL REPUBLICAN, FIASCl

When the compact between the demo-
Gratis and liberal republicans was entered
into in 1872, by which Horace Greeley be-
came the nominee of the coalition for the
Presidency, there was in substance, if not
in form, an agreement on the part of the
democrats to drop their Bourbonism, and
reform their organization on the advanced
principles marked out by Mr.. Greeley.
This included of course the abandonment
by the democracy Of the doctrine of seces-
sion, the pivot of the southern rebellion !;
the cessation of opposition to the rights,
which the negroes had acquired through
emancipation and the amendments to the
constitution Of the United States; and by
necessity the retiring of the old leaders Of
the party who had rendered themselves
obnoxious to the people of the North by
their avowed sympathy and cooperation
with the cause of the shareholders, and
substituting for them war democrats or
liberal republicans. The campaign of 1872
was conducted in accordance with this ar
rangement. The canvass on the demo-
cratic side was led by liberal republicans,
Mr.. Greeley himself taking the stump,
and liberals were put forward and sup
ported by democrats for office.
This was in 1872. How is the compa ct
kept in 1874p Let US see.
Under the newly coined phrase, Home
Rule" which we find this year engraited
upon democratic platforms and endorsed
by the leading organs of the party, every
principle of the doctrine Of secession is
retained. The language has been
changed, but the principle remains as it
was in 1861, when, under Home Rule.
State Rights, the flag of the secessionists
was raised in rebellion against the United
States government. Under the doctrine
of Home Rule democrats defend riots,
assassination, the arming of secret organ
izations to overawc by violence the right
of free speech and free balloting, and as
in Texas and Georgia the remanding of
the freedmen to slavery. by local legisla-
ton. 1t only needs the occasion or OPP
portunity to make Home Rule blossom out
into open secession. 1t is only another
term for State Rights, only the principle
Of secession in new dress, adopted to
conceal its wickedness. Here we see how
faith has been broken by the democrats in
regard to the coalition of 1872, the very
corner stone upon which it rested having
been removed. In defiance of that agree
ment the most obnoxious principle ever
held by the democratic party. which it was
supposed had disappeared forever in the
wreck of the Southern Confederacy, is
again presented in democratic platforms,
and liberal republicans must endorse it if
they continue to act with democrats. In
relation to slavery, democratic sentiment
has not changed. the party still believing
that slavery is an institution ordained by
the Creator. Holding such opinions they
spit upon the constitutional amendments
securing to the colored people civil and
political rights. Had they the power to
repeal them the amendments would speed
lily be set aside, and many of their organs
do not hesitate to say so. In principle
then the democratic party is the same as
before the rebellion. 1t has taken no step
in advance, the chief boasts Of its adhcr-
ents being that it never changes.
If we examine its course since 1872 in
relation to the men whom 1t puts forward
as representatives of its principles, we
find that they are of the Bourbon type,
specimens of unadulterated democracy,
sympathizers with if not active allies of the
rebels, believing that slavery is of divine
origin, and as firmly believing that the
democratic party can commit no wrong.
In Maine the democratic candidate for
governor in rs and "A was Bourbon.
In Ohio, the cradle Of liberal republican
ism, the coalition was repudiated last year,
and the venerable William Allen, Bour-
bon of the severest cast was nominated