Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-27
Jlailp Aennrbet Aournal
AUG u = II a,
SATURDAY MORNING.. Feb. at, 1875.

SATURDAY MOhNlNts FeD ~, 1910.
THE BEGINNING OF THE BAT7LE--
LOOK TO YOUR TOWN AND cITY
ELECTIONS.
The great and important contest which
is to be waged in this country in 1876 for
the control of the general government
has already commenced in this State. by
the organized movement of the democra-
cy to carry all the municipal elections that
the most vigorous and well planned efforts
can accomplish. While the Republicans
have been inert, Indifferent, unsuspecting
of any unusual effort by the democrats
in the town and city elections, the latter
have been busily at work preparing to
take advantage of the apathy Of the repub-
licans and make gains in the elections. to
be heralded over the country as signs OF
republican weakness and growing demo-
cratic strength. Their operations have
been quietly conducted, but as the time
of the elections draws near the plan is
developed. Last week there was a meet
ing in Bangor of the democratic leaders
of the State, ostensibly to celebrate Wash
ington's birthday, but really to arouse
their party to action from kittery to Quod-
dy for the Spring campaign. The speech
es generally disclose this, but that our
readers may have no doubt about the mat
ter, we copy from the Bangor CONNER
cial the following significant remarks from
the speech of Hon. Joseph Titcomb, the
late candidate of the democrats for Gov
ernor:
There is no time to be lost. The omens
are prOpitiOus, the breeZes are in our fav.
or, and the turning tide invites to instant
action. Now is the time to organize sue.
cess. Not only should we look forward
to carrying the next Presidential election,
but we need at once to turn our attention
to securing Democratic Legislatures and
Governors in all our States, as we have
already done in some of them, SO that il
we gain our victory in the National cleo
ton we may not be cheated out Of the
fruits of it.
The time to begin is noW, says Mr.. Tit
comb. "There is no time to be lost"
"Now is the time to organize success"
Such was the command that went forth
from the assembled wisdom and authority
of the democracy at Bangor.
Following this command to instant ac-
tivity from the chiefs, comes the annouce-
ment that a corruption fund has been
raised by the democracy Of Portland to be
employed in electing the democratic can
didates in the city election next Monday.
1t is called a fund for the naturalization of
voters, but even to be used for that pur-
pose it is as clearly corruption fund as
money to be used in bribery or in any
other il!egitimate way. 1t is well under
stood that every foreigner who receives
his naturalization papers through the aid
of this democratic corruption fund is
pledged to give his vote to that party in
consideration of the money paid out for
him, the transaction amounting in effect
to sale ofhis vote, the claim holding not
only for single election but so long as
the man naturalized may be voter. Is
there any kind Of bribery known in cleo
tions more Ubiquitous than this?
The.resort to this species of corruption
to carry city election manifests the de-
termination of the democracy to achieve
success. We doubt if the instance is on
record where this kind of thing has been
done before in a municipal election. 1t is
too expensive job for common occas-
ions, and it is only adopted at this time so
that the success of the democratic candi-
dates may be given national significance
and furnish capital for the Presidential
election.
Republicans a-c therefore squarely con-
fronted in the Spring elections with the
national issues of 1876. They are forced
by the action of the democracy upon this
ground The result will have an
influence as wide as the limits of
of the nation. If the democrats make
gains throughout the State the White
Leagues and the Ku-Klux will rejoice.
We urge upon our friends the necessity
of comprehending and acting up to the
high Importance and requirements of the
situation. Fail not to understand that the
coming town elections are to be the pre-
liminary movements in the grand cam
paign of next year, in which we are to
decide whether the men and party who
fought to save the Unien, or the men and
party who fought against it, are to control
and shape the future destinies of this gov
eminent. We counsel harmony, unity,
and the most vigorous and decided action