The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-08-05
For Governor,
CHARLES W. ROBERTS,
The Responsibility for the Depres-
sion.
Of Bangor.

sion.
The radicals are greatly troubled, as
they have reason to be, at the present
stagnaton in business, the depression in
industrial pursuits, and the consequent
lack of remunerative employment for
labor. With this state Of things staring
them in the face on the ev, of a Presiden-
tial campaign, they cannot fail to realize
the great disadvantage at which they will
be placed, or to perceive the signs OF
coming defeat. They confess their liza
bility, indeed, by beginning to argue, in
advance OF the accusation, that they should
not be held responsible as party for the
existing state OF things. The administra-
ton papers are full Of assertions that the
present hird times depend on causes en-
tirely outside the administration of the
affairs of government. But arhy the adj
mnistration and the party that created it
are TO be held blameless, the public are
not informed.
1t is correct reasoning to say that duties
and responsibilities are inseparable. He
who assumes the discharge of a duty is
responsible for its performance. lie is
to be held strictly accountable for the
ability to do that which he processes and
undertakes. SO Of political party If
it has continually put itself forward as
the only party that could take proper
care of the interests of the country, that
could administer its affairs with ability
and integrity, and assure to it tranquility
and prosperity, it is to be held strictly to
its professions If disaster follow, the
ineompetency Of the party is proven.
The pilot who, after publicly Wanting
his competency and skill, drives his ship
upon the rocks. destroys confidence and
secures his discharge. That is the re-
sponsibiity which he assumes with his
duty Of navigating the ship. lie under
takes not TO fail, and if fail h e does then
goodbye to his reputation and employ
ment Othello confessed that his occupa-
ton was gone when he found that he had
made fool of himself
The Republican party at the very out
set of its career undertook to better the
condition OF the people OF this country.
Most of them, to be sure were not aware
that they had not been reasonably pros
porous up to that time But the burden
Of the song to them was that they were
an oppressed and wronged people; that
the Democratic party, then in power, by
its policy and public acts. was demoraliz-
private enterprises; in short, that a
change was imperatively demanded by
every consideration OF safety and patriot
ism
DO we hear any one denying this? If
We turn to the Republican platform of
1860, under which that party first came
into power in the nation, we find that
there is promised such an adjustment Of
the tariff as will encourage industrial in
terests, and such policy as will secure
'to the working men liberal wages, to
agriculture remunerating prices, to me-
chanics and manufacturers an adequate
reward for their skill, labor and enter
prise, and to the nation COMMERCIAL
PROSPERITY AND INDEPENDENCE" And
through all the arguments, pamphlets and
harangues Of that campaign rang the bat
tie cry of abraham Lincoln and better
timesn
Passing over the intervening war, we
find the same party in 1872, seven years
after the war closed, again singing the
dulcet notes of promised prosperity. The
republican national convention of that
year, in reviewing its record, declared
that "Great financial criseses have been
avoided, and PEACE AND PLENTY PREVAIL
THROUGHOUT THE LAND" Again in the,
resolution on laying duties it declares that
''the duties should be SO adjuste as to aid
in securing remunerative wages to labor
and PROMOTE THE INDUSTRY, PROSPERITY
AND GROWTH OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY"
Only three years have elapsed since these
fine promises were made. The republican
party meantime has been entrusted with
the fullest power in every branch Of the
government. There has been absolutely
no check, not even the constitution, to
fhair alnoct arhitrarv cuav And what
is the result? Why a degree of depres-
son and stagnation in business to which it
has heretofore been stranger. And now
the cry goes up-"Oh, we can't-help these
things!" Then why did you solemnly
promise that you could and would help
them? If you are not responsible you
went before the country with lie in your
mouth. and cheated yourself into power
by false pretences.
The Democrats of the country have
made their record in these matters, by
protesting at every step against the policy
of the party in power, Democrats have
predicted disaster from the rotten rag
currency of The country-and it has come.
Democrats have predicted disaster from
the oppressive prohibitory tarifl-and it
has come. Democrats have predicted dis
aster from the negro and carpet bag rule
at the south, enforced by bayonets and
it has come. Democrats have predicted
disaster from the vicious and corrupt ma
tional banking system-and it has come
Democrats have predicted disaster from