Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-26
nosa. FOR GOVERNOR, . l
SELDEN COMMON
Not to be Trusted.

Can the people Of this nation trust the
democracy with the administration of the
government? That is the chief question
that NE republicans Of Maine will have to
settles 10 far as they can settle ii, in the
pending election. This question has al
ready been answered four times by this
nation, in 1860, 1864, 1868 and 1872. And
the answer has been just the same, every
time--"The democratic party can not be
trusted with the control Of this govern
ment." Is there anything in the present
condition of the government to warrant
change in the popular and emphatic ver-
dictl To call for reversal of this thrice
reiterated verdict the necessity for the
same must be shown. Has the sentiment
of the people or the sentiment. spirit and
principle ofthe democratic party changed P
for no friend of good government, who
desires peace and unity, could for mo-
ment desire the restoration of democracy
to power. if he felt assured that its politi-
cal principles were the same as those held
previous to the rebellion. during its ex-
istence, and throughout the period of re-
construction. The democratic party has
not changed in form or in spirit.
The man, who proves his friendship in
the hour of need, ought not to be doubted
in the hour of prosperity. The man who
showed his enmty when friendship was
needed. has no claim to our confidence
when his enmity can no longer injure us.
The rule holds good with parties, for par
ties are but an aggregation of individuals;
and whatever sentiment or principle Char
acterizes individuals will find reflection in
the parties to which they belong. Ben.
Hill or Lamar would not feel at home in
the republican party, for they would find
n.thing in common there. .t..
Therefore. before the people can consid-
er on equal terms. the restoration Of the
democracy to power. the proof must be
submitted that radical change has taken
place In its sentiments and principles, its
teachings and purposes. The proof must
be strpDg-so clear that be who runs may
read, for on question Of such vital i'm
portance the people can afford to make no
mistakes. We have arrived at a point in
the government when it were foolish in
deed TO try political experiments.
The record of the republican party is
before the country; the people know what
it has done 10 the past, and is now doing
for the country. 1t is the party that was
true 10 the country in time of war. True
In the past, the argument is that it will be
true in the future. Democracy having
been false aud tratorous in the past. the
people have a right to demand the most
stringent guarantees that there has been
truly change of heart and purpose before
trusting it In the future. Has the party
abandoned The fatal doctrine of State
Rights, as preached by Calhoun, fought
for by the Southern confederacy, and
practically maintained in Congress by the
leading democrats to-dayP Are the dem.
ocrats in favor of hard. honest money, as
a national party, or do they still cling TO
virtuals reputation? Do they have the
same hatred to the colored race that has
always characterized them? These and
other hard questions the democracy must
answer, before the people will consent to
place power again in their hands.