Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-02
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AUG U II A.
THURSDAY MORNING. March 3, 1870.
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lie the tremendous gravity OF the situa-
ton. If it did, the patriotic sentiment OF
the people would flame out in earnest,
fervid, determined unanimitv, as it did
when the flag of Sumter fell. That it will
come to understand this issue and the far
reaching consequences involved we firm
" believe, and then little doubt will be
left of its spirit and action. Meanwhile,
there are certain facts and considerations
to which every earnest republican news
paper and every sincere patriot should
give careful reflection.
l. The unrepentent rebels of the South
are more envenomed and the condition OF
affairs in that section is more threatening
and perilous than at any time since the
close of the war. The most extreme state
ments which haye been made of the tenn
per and purpose of that class do not be-
gin to unfold the whole truth. The worst
that has been represented respecting their
malign and revolutionary spirit falls short
of the startling reality. In saying this,
we deliberately measure the full force Of
our words. and know whereof we affirm.
The country will soon be made aware OF
the evidence, and positive, overwhelming
proof will convince it that it is slumber-
ing over a volcano. The most adroit and
persistent efforts have been made to de-
ceive the people, to lull them into false
sense of security and to direct all preIu-
dice and censure against the very bull
warks upon which they must rely for pro-
lection. But when the truth comes out,
as it will come out, the public mind will
be undeceivcd, and will recognize the
abyss upon whose verge it stands. 1t
will then comprehend the great issue OF
public safety before it and will be reused,
as it has not been stirred before since the
war closed.
II. The country and especially all re-
publicans should have confidence in their
recognized representatives, and should
strengthen the hands Of these chosen and
trusty leaders in dealing with the momen-
tous questions of the hour. We should
recognize their purity and rectitude of
purpose. We should give them that trust
and support to which all our agents are
fairly entitled until they forfeit it. Instead
of treating them as if they were willfully
perverse and were madly bent upon the
ruin of the nation, we should exercise, if
not that common justice. at least the COM
mon sense of believing that they have
precisely the same interest in the public
welfare which every citizen has, and that
they are as honestly devoted to it as those
they represent. More than that, we should
remember that they are far better in
formed upon the condition of affairs than
those remote from the scene can possibly
be. Under such circumstances, they are
clearly entitled to consideration, unless
they are either crazy or dishonest-and
we fancy nobody will apply either impu-
tation in sweeping way. The obliga'
ton equally of political wisdom and pub
lie justice is entirely plain-we should
strengthen and uphold those who are
themselves seeking to uphold the good
cause which all have at heart Instead of
the spectacle of Government faithfully
trying to guide the nation safely through
a great crisis and partially crippled by the
carping criticisms and querulvas distrust
of professed friends. we ought to see it
supported. not in blind, seryile way, but
in friendly spirit, with candid dscrim-
nation and with n just recognition of its
upright purpose.
III. With pluck and positive and we'll
considered policy, the prospect Of the re-
publican party is better to-day than it has
been at any time for two years. We de-
clare this as our sincere conviction with
the same deliberation with which we af
firm the alarming condition of the South.
The unrepentant rebels, inflamed by DEM
ocratic success, are giving us the weapons
of victory. They are reyiving the one
great commanding issue of the national
safety and public rights. And with this
state of affairs, the one talisman Of success
is pluck--the pluck to do our simple duty,
the pluck to take up the gage of the ad
versary. the pluck to make the vigorous
and victorious fight which is entirely with
in our power. When we say pluck is the
word. we do not mean rashness rprecip-
itancy or extreme measures or anything
of the sort. We mean simply that the re-
publican party shall be true to itself, true
to its lifelong impulse, and true to the
best interests of our country. We mean
simply that it shall fulfil its present duty
and seize its present opportunity-that
it shall take its inspiration not from half
hearted spirits and insidous enemies, but
from its true and courageous friends. 1t
must not regard itself as beaten when it is
not beaten. 1t must not wayer and doubt
when it has victory within its grasp. With
unity and pluck, it can carry the election
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