Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-12-01

that Mr.. Hamlin has been in public life for more
than thirty years; that while he has not been
charge, with personal corruption, lie is faid to be
possessed of 4 competency, upon which ne may
now comfortably retire. and that his political phi
lOsorhy Is exactly thSt which has b:en so cinphat
icaly condemned in the recent elections. More
over, they know that lac Is the most distinguished
and successful teacher OF that philosophy. No
man in America has made his appointments con
tribute SO much to his own advancement; no man
has 80 thoroughly drilled his appointces to fight
for the peIpetuaton Of his own power. No man
has formed wider or stronger combinations for the
purpose OF ensuring the success Of his schemes.
The idea that the people Of the United States have
Just condemned so emphstieally-thatthe appoint
ing poweris one ofthe personal perquistes of Con
grcssmen-has reached It's biggest deyelopmentin
the person Of Hannibal iIamlin, and he has never
beioreriven anything like the proof of HE skill
in it, practical application, thahe has given IN the
present canvass for his reelection. Never were
ofRce.holders so active and harmonious; never
were caucuses so adroitly managed; never We're
since urea so lavishly created. If the system Is
dcscryedly odious then il is douby so IN Name
There are those who argue thar these things are
right They contend that active men in politics,
like Mr.. Hamln must resort to these unpopular
methods and that they who talk Of civil service
reform and such whim.whams are mere visionary
doctrinaires who ought to command no attention.
Il is not necessary to discuss this point. II Is
enough that the people have expressed their as
appreciation Of this obnoxious doctrine in very
emphatic manner. l. il to bc presumed That the
voters of Maine will he more patient than those Of
other States? II Massachusetts, revolts because
an obnoxious Collector OF Customs is thrust upon
her will Maine submit quietly while Senators are
elected IN defiance of the viii OF the people;
We would not be understood TO favor resort
20 revolution We believe that The Republican
party has within il the seeds OF good, as the Dem
ocratic party has the elements Of evil. The only
safe reform is that which is wrought within the
political organization that embraces right tendon
cies and noble aspirations. But he result Of this
GIrs elections shows that voters 10 not always
stop 70 make the lc,; choice OF remedies when
they act under the spur OF a great emergency.
While seycral very influential Republican papers
have fully appreciated the dangers Of the situation
it seems 20 Us that what they propose Is not calcu
lated 10 mend matters. They name several very
excellent gentlemen, who have not hitherto been
mentioned in connection with the Scnatorship'
Vow while It would bc idle To contend that Messrs
Pcrham, Drummond and WashAurn. who have
resisted Mr.. Hamlin's claims from the FIRST, have
an indefea.ible ieht to succeed him, We do say
that other things being equal, they have the best
title TO support. n they are unworthy men, then
their priority ia point Of time, Of course. goes
ror.nothing. II they are not equal, intellectually
70 the rcouiacmeuts of the situation which they
seek their early appearance in the field n candi'
dgt.> WI only give the people an opportunity to
see their auvor,hines, more clearly. But no one
viii attempt 10 raise these objections.
Il is no presumption in either OF them 10 seek
the scna,orship: they have mul,itudes Of fIieuds
Il would therefore be a questionable effort In be-
half Of harmony and the continued prosperity Of
the Republican party to pnsh them arbitrarily
asiit and take q new man who has e; the sirus-
ale 90 on without contributing anything TO the
neral siren 9Th OF the anti Hamliu movement
We cauuo, believe that the people Of Maine
will set aside the men 10 whom they nrs, took for
candidates. unless some stronger reason should
appear than we have vet seen. They are fairly
and honorably in the neld. the rivalry between
them is generous and kindly II men are TO
he found In who represent the feeling OF antagon.
ism TO political ,rlekcry to the abuse Of the APP
pointing power and 10 all that which has given
by way OF pensncc, malority.of the states OF the
Unisu TO The opposition. Perham, prummond
anil washburn are certainly TO be counted among
them.