The Portland daily press., 1875-10-02
The Democratic Crisis.

We have frequently heard gentlemen ex-
press great surprise that the Democratic par
ty survived is treasonab.e record during the
war. AT first thought it is an enigma but an
examination Of the subject solves the mys-
terry, which is that the Democratic party
were uhite1 in their opposition to the war.
Inc Democrats of the East and the Demo-
Gratis OF the West sympathised with the DEM
ocrats OF the South and the unity and inten-
sity of their opposition saved the party from
the death its infamous deeds merited. Then
the Democratic press was united. Its lead
ers gave but one command-opposition 20 the
federal administration.
To-day, the Democratic leaders, or that
part OF them who consider political questions
beyond party success, really appreciate the
fact that their party is soon to meet its great
crisis. What is that severe crisis 1t is
whether or not the national voice of the par
ty at its national convention shall be for hon
est money and national honor or for imitation
and reputation. Never during the war did
we find the New York World desiring the
defeat of Democratic candidates, not even of
Valandigham when running for Governor of
Ohio. How is it now? The World actually
begs for the defeat of the Democratic ticket
in Ohio. The Baltimore Gazette as choice
between evils, desires the defeat of the
imitation party in Ohio. Gov. Tilden
the lea1ing Democrat in the Eastern
states, plainly intimates that soon-
er than grant all that the Ohio Democra-
cy are struggling for, he will be one to start a
new party. Did Mr.. Tilden ever make such
a declaration in 1863 when Mr.. Valandighan
was openly declaring his sympathy with the
South? The World, claiming to be the
source of all true Democratic doctrine.
astonishes its readers by full en-
dorsement of Carl Schurz's speech and
its fearful arraignment of the policy
of the Democracy of Ohio. The
fact is these full sized men in the Demo-
cratic party clearly see that if the Democrats
carry Ohio and Pennsylvania, imitation and
all the heresies which the leaders in those
states have espoused will become part of
the national platform, and the meu whose pa
triotism could not lead them to denounce
treason in 1858 have the sagacity, to foresee
that party declaration for an initiation OF
the currency in 1876 will work its ruin.
The crisis is the most grave that the Dem
ocratic party has ever been forced to meet.
The Western leaders and rank and file are
committed to the most radical imitation here
sizes. In the East there are thousands of
Democrats who heartily endorse theEOhio
platform. We know that one of the most
active and bitter of the Democratic partisans
in this .city unhesitatingly avows his hearty
endorsement of the Ohio platform. Every
Democratic paper in Maine eulogizes Gov.
Allen and espouses his cause if not his plat
form. The Bangor Commercial is inclined to
take stock in that.
For the first time in its history, therefore,
we find leading Democrats in open hostility
to the candidates of the party in other states.
What is to be the result? Should the Re-
publicans carry Ohio and Pennsylvania, will
not Gov. Tilden, the World and the infuen-
eEtial party men in sympathy with them be
held responsible by Gov. Allen, the Enquirer
aud the mass of the Democratic leaders for
their defeat? In the event of success, which
ensures an imitation platform for the national
contest next year, how are Gov. Tilden, Gov.
CASTOR, the World, and other papers to re-
main in the organization and retain their
self-respect, to say nothing of the public con-
fidence?
This Democratic crisis is one that the
Democratic leaders cannot escape whic hever
way they turn.