Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-31

WEDNESDAY MORNING. Mar. 81. 1878
WHAT HAVE THE DEA0CRATS DONE
Six months ago the democratic party
was in the full swell of the tidal wave
which swept over the Republic, destroy
ing the supremacy of the republican party
in the House of Representatives, and
threatening not to spend its force until it
had carried the democrats into the pos
session Of the national government. The
issues upon which this political revolution
was accomplished were-frst, the belief
that in every respect President Grants ad-
ministration had failed, and the expecta-
ton that the democratic party upon acced-
ing to power would redeem these fail
ures and bring new regime of economy,
craftsmanship and peace. The third term,
the civil reform, retrenchment, back pay.
the salary grab-these were the cries
which animated the democrats in their
canvass. They now enter upon another
campaign. New Hampshire, which they
should have carried decisively, is drawn
battle. Connecticut, which should be dem
ocratic BY good majority, considering
the majorities in New jersey, Pennsylva-
MIA and New York, hangs in the balance.
Take what our correspondents write from
that State, and the issue is still uncertain.
Why is thisp General Grant has done
nothing, if We may except, perhaps, the
vetoing of the Bounty bill, to commend
himself to the confidence of the country to
a greater degree than six months ago. On
the contrary, he has shown stubbornness
of purpose in his appointments and much
of his policy which indicates that he is as
stif-necked as ever, and not disposed to
change his plans in obedience to the pop
ular will. If anything, his administration
is more worthy of condemnation than six
months ago, for we have had the Arkan-
sas Message. developments in the WASH
ington city government and corrupt APP
pointments to Office. Why is it, then,
that while the republican party has moi
improved its record since the defeat OF last
autumn the democratic party is checked in
New England, and the question as to
whether il will succeed in the next cam
paigu is as uncertain as anything can be
in American politics
The answer to this is that the democrats
have shown themselves to be not states
men but politicians. and insineere politi-
clans at that. The true leaders of the par
ty are quietly pushed aside by the hack
politicians who saw in the victory last au-
tumn only the assurance OF continued VIC
tory. no matter what mistakes they might
make. Consequently there has not been
a single promise made by the democrats
in the last canvass that they have re-
deemed. They fought Grant upon the
third term, and what democrat in Con-
gress made the third term an issue With
out invidious mention OF uames, where
ever the democratic party had it in its
power to honor IN independent statesman
it struck him down and preferred one of
its own politicians. In New York we
were to have complete change in the
whole government. Here the democrats
acceded to unquestioned power in both
State and city. Yet the party has done
nothing. We are no better off in New
York to-day than we were when Tweed
was In power. 1t is true that Tweed and
his colleagues stole far more. but if Green
and his party are not robbing us they are
ssrangling us. Questions of local inn
proyement, questions necessary to the
growth of the city and State have been
overlooked and forgotten, and all the su-
premacy of the democratic party in the
city and State eliminates in intrigue for
place in the city, intrigue for power in Al
bany and intrigues for the Presidency.
Consequently. with an example like this
and in this country of a free press and in
terlacing telegraph lines an example in
New England to-day is known in Califor-
MIA to-morrow--the democrats have lost
courage in the other States and the repub-
licans have taken heart. The tidal wave
is checked. and unless the democrats do
better with their power than they have
done heretofore the chances are that the
enormous patronage Of the President, the
military prestige which surrounds him,
combined with that conservative sense of
SO many classes (Which believes in let
ting we'll enough alone) would wait the
republicans to power. We should have a
blessed escape from the greatest danger
that could befall the country if at the head
OF this movement General Grant is not a
candidate for third term.-New York
Herald
HON. JAMES G. BLAINE.
r IL 10