Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-30
CONGRESS-.

CONGRESS-.
Next Monday the Fourth-fourth Con
gress will be duly organized For the
first time since the republicans succeed
ed in getting control of the national govern
ment have the democrats majority in the
House. For that reason more than ordin-
ary attaches interest to the assembling of
the new Congress. This week the demo-
Gratis are in a ferment over the election
OF the Speaker that is to be and the other
Offices which the House controls. Their
qualification over the exercise of the pow
er into the posse ssion of which they have
entered is greatly disturbed by the fierce
fight which is being waged among the
numerous competitors for the Speakership,
and the great scramble among the dcmoc
racv, north, south, east and west for the
inferior places of patronage to be filled.
If the party makes this unseemly display
of itself over the few places of patronage
which have accidentally fallen into its
hands. what disgusting exhibition
would it present were it again to become
master of the national government.
But aside from the lively fight among
the democrats over the organization, this
session of Congress will be one of great
interest. The democrats must show what
ground they will stand upon in relation to
great questions of public interest. Here
tofore they have had no policy except that
Of finding fault with the republican party.
Only one principle Of action has the party
had, and that was comprised in the words :
Anything to beat the republican party.
This cry has had its day, and now the
democrats must prepare to define the plat
form on which they will appeal to the peo-
pie for support. Parties to win public sup
port must have well defined principles to
present to the people, They must show
That they are Influenced by desire high
er than that OF revenge The fortunes of
a party amount to nothing with the peo-
pie. The fortunes of the nation are what
they consider, and the party that meets
their views and obtains their endorsement
must first prove that it is influenced by
the purest patriotism and has within it the
power to build up the national welfare.
In very large degree this session of
Congress will influence the Presidential
election next year. Unless the democrats
have the courage and ability to make 4
fair and honest showing of the policy they
intend to pursue they will be beaten from
the very start. Thus far the indications
are that they intend to rake the cutters in
search of filth to cast at the republican
party, and on their success in this sort OF
occupation to rest their hopes of gaining
the confidence of the country. Some of
their more sagacious leaders have advised
them that such course will be disastrous to
them, but what theywill do can only be told
as the work of the session proceeds. If the
democrats could point to an instance I'M
der any democratic administration in
which its thieving officials were prosecut-
ed by the said administration as the
present administration is prosecuting
the Whiskey Ring. they might make
some progress in gaining the confidence
of the public as reformers; but the record
OF the two parties in that direction is so
immensely in favor Of the republicans that
comparison woul! result greatly to the
disadvantage OF the democracy
Chief Justice Waite has covered himself
with honor and set an example to others
who wear the ermine which it would be
wise in them TO follow, by his refusal to
make the Bench stepping stone to po-
li,ical honors. Had Chief Justice Chase
pursued the course of his successor his
memory would command more respect
TO day and in the future. The Judge pos.
lively declines to be a candidate for the
Presidency for reasons which are stated
in letter to friend as follows:
Ofcourse, l am always grateful to my friends
for any efforts 10 my behalf, and no one ever had
these more faithful or ndulgcnt. But do you
think II quite right for one occupying the first ju
dcisl position in the land to permit the of his
name for = political position. The Office came TO
me covered with honor, and when / accepted il
NV chief duty was not to make Of it a stepping
stone TO something else, but to preserve its purity
and, il possible, make my name as honorable as
that Of NV predecessors. No maj ought to ac-
cept this place unless he shall take VOW to leave
II a honorable az be found II. There ought never
70 be any necessity for rebuilding from below. All
additions should be above. In NY Judgment the
Consultation might wisely have prohibited the