Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-10-23
THE DEMOCRATIC BASILIsK.


THE DEMOCRATIC BASILISK.
There is an old legend, that the Basi-
lisk is the most terrible of animals. Neither
fire, nor sword, is able to wound or in
lure il; and the only means to kill it. is
for some one of sufficient temerity to hold
up before it a mirror. At the very instant
the beast sees itself, it becomes so terri
fed over its own hideous deformity, that it
falls down and dies. We would wish that
this legend were true for it could then,
with appropriateness. be applied to the
democratic party, and the mirror of its
own past record being held up before it,
we might hope that fright over its own
dastardly deeds would cause it to die.
1t is incomprehensible how any one,
who is not an idiot, or blind par;izan.
can expect from the democratic party, re-
formatory measures, or new era tor the
elevation of the prosperity of the Repub-
lie. The decisions under which many Ia
Dor, in consequence of the platforms OF
the Democratic State Conventions of New
York and Massachusetts,, containing, more
or less, the principles Of the republican
party, will be dispersed like the fog before
the rising sun. The democratic party was
ever the lame Past, reluctantly compelled
to run after the Spirit Of the Age. For.
when the Republican party was agitating
the abolition of slavery, democracy was
the most jealous champion for the perpet-
uation of slavery When, further, the re-
publican party achieved the emancipation
of the slaves, there was universal cry of
horror, among the democracy. over this
act Of humanity. Nevertheless. democ-
racy was compelled to submit to the prog
ress Of the age, and adopted-rather late,
it is true--this act of freedom. A similar
course was pursued by the democracy, in
regard to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
amendments to the Constitution, which
guaranteed 10 all native and naturalized
American citizens, including the negro,
equal civil and political rights. The DEM
ocratic National platform of 1868, con-
demned this constitutional equality as un-
Just and unconstitutional. Now, every
democratic platform recognizes these con-
stirutional equaities as legal and binding.
and boasts of leading the progress of the
age!
As long since as 1868, the Republican
National Convention declared itself in IA
vor of the resumption of specie payment.
the redemption Of our paper currency.
and the honest payment of our national
debt in gold. The Democratic National
Convention, in the same year, 1868, de-
clared itself against these measures. and
even decided to pay our national creditors
in irredeemable rag-money-that is, to
cheat. Now comes the democratic party
of New York and Massachusetts, hobbling
along, and adopts these same republican
principles. and then sets up great cry
over the democratic Reform" party. At
the same time, the democratic party, in
the other States, especially III Ohio and
Pennsylvania, is sunk. beyond recovery,
in the swamp of imitation and reputation.
A still greater succession of historical
facts could be enumerated. So much is
certain. that the democratic party has al
ways obstructed our political progress.
and at the present day stands in opposi-
ton to it. Every step forward has been
forced upon it by the republican party,
and the progress OF the age. But we must
not forget, that the democratic party has.
only in form. adopted the doctrine OF
emancipation and equal rights, and that
now, as ever, il conspres with the rebel
democracy, in the oppression OF the col
ored race. As, in former times, democ-
racy sympathized with physical slavery,
80 now it seeks to establish spiritual
slavery, by its alliance with Catholicism.
Tell me with whom you keep company.
and will tell you what YOU are, can well
be applied to the democratic party, which
is composed, mostly, of rebel democrats
and Irish Catholics. 1t only makes con-
cession to the progress OF The age, when
self requires it. Its Reform
platforms are not in the interest of the Re-
public, but only to draw republican votes,
and establish party majority. and dem
ocratic rule 1t was for this purpose that,
in the States OF New York aud Massachu-
sets, II nominated a majority of its candi-
dates for State offices from the republican
ranks.
The past is the mirror of the future
The character Of the democratic party has
not only, on the aforementioned politi-
cal questions. shown itself perverse and
malignant, but has, also. In regard TO Ma
tional Education and State Sovereignty.
proven itself so reactionary in its tenden
cies that an intelligent public will hardly
be led into the mistake of taking this Saul
for a Paul.-Germaa I'olc's Tribune,
Wash, u. c.