Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-08-09

IBLIyD GUIDES AND FALSE LBADbHo.
Nothing is more significant of the char-
acter of the democratic party than the
readiness even of its best men to acquiesce
in its worst impulses. Prior to the Ma
}. t;onaI Convention of 1868, Governor Sey-
mour made earnest and forcible speeches
AGAINST the Pendleton heresy on the cur
rency question. No doubt they expressed
his honest convictions. But when the con-
vention met and embodied that heresy in
its platform, Gov. Seymour accepted it as
the Presidential candidate and went
through the campaign pledged to prlncl-
piles which he had condemned and al
| horred
Precisely so Senator Thurman of Ohio
has been distinguished as an advocate Of
sound currency. OF all the leaders of his
party, he was the most conspicuous hard
money man. 1t was to his credit that,
while many other democratic representa-
tives persistently urged a false policy, he
exerted his voice and influence on the
was so prominent for that side or seemed
so firm in his convictions. But this was
when his party was divided, and he was
equally free to take either side without for
feiting his party standing. 1t cost nothing
then to stand for sound currency any more
than for inflated paper currency. But
when the real test came, when there came
crisis which tried the sincerity of his
convictions and the strength of his prnci-
pies, he faltered and stumbled like the rest.
The success OF the democratic ticket in
Ohio means an unqualified and mischiev-
Gus triumph for imitation By the platform
and the course of the campaign that is
made the one paramount and decisive
issue. And yet, Mr.. Thurman, while
timidly protesting to cherish his old prn-
ciples, urges the election of the initiation
ticket. OF what value is it that he is per-
sonally right, so long as he throws his
strength for what is fagrantly wrong?
| The case of Gov. Allen himself is
another conspicuous illustration. He has
always been hard money man. He
served in the Senate twenty five years ago
with Tom Benton. He was trained in
sound principles of finance under the lead
ership of Old Bullion. He made speech
after speech in which he enforced the cor
rect doctrine. Two years ago he was dug
out of the oblivion of quarter of a cen
fury and brought forward with the capti-
waiting introduction OF being man of the
good old days, with the olden convictions
OF honesty and the olden devotion to prin-
ciple. And when his party declares for
dishonest policy opposed to the principles
of his life time, this venerable relic of the
ancient democracy not merely accepts the
nomination, but openly stultifes himself
and advocates the doctrine which he has
always denounced. He might have pre-
served an awkward silence on that ques
ton. He might have tided over it with
some non-committal remarks. That
would at least have evinced some shame
il it did not exhibit any honor. But in
stead even OF remaining silent, he square
ly endorses the false declarations, and adj
vocates what would unquestionably lead
to reputation.
We need not stop here to answer the
fallacies of Gov. Aliens argument. He
has himself in his better days answered
them over and over again. What we are
Just now considering is the fact that the
best of democratic leaders appear ready
to yield their own convictions at any time
and go with the mob of their party. If
we cannot rely upon the steadiness of such
of them as Gov. Seymour, Senator Thur
man and Gov. Allen, who of their num-
Der can be trustedp When those who are
reckoned the best thus surrender their con-
victions, where is the virtue of the party P
albany journal.