Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-02-29
(Every Psstm.stsr an oxford County.)
The CentenniaI Election.

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One hundred years ago the colonies,
hes In their inlAncy-now the United
states OF America-must have presented
al interesting spectacle 10 sll lockers on.
The people-emigrants lrom old Eoglsnd
and other nations. who had scattered
themselves along the Atlantic coast from
Maine to Georgia. had sought new land
wherein they might ind some things
more congeniSl 10 their aspirations, than
they could fud in the land OF their birth.
Some came Tor one lhing-Some Tor an
other. Some came 10 escape oppression
aud gain home where they could enjoy
liberty Of conscience. Others came 20
Improve their condition snd add TO their
wealth. Still others cane as spectators
and Adventures.
But let the reason Tor coming be what
il may, there was one common sentiment
which acIus,ed every shade OF religious
or secular belief. " hen the mother country
resolved 20 tax these colonies without
representation. To This the hardy pioneers
would not submit; and they sought each
the counsel Of the other % resist the W
jEsi demand. They formed Union ,Snd
in Congress assembled resolved that they
would resis; such a measure 10 The bitter
end; snd pledged their lives. their for
tunes and their sacred honor A seven
years wal followed this stern resistance 10
wsa; they deemed wrong snd an injus-
Ice. and then came independence.
kigh,y. I've years passed aud other wars
had come and The nation bad conquered
ia enemies. snd taken high RANK among
The powers vi earth Then came war,
which 10; destruction 0: life aud properly
exceeded s. modern walls. HwaS = civil
~sr-a war OF oue portion Of The country
against the other. 1, WAS shareholders
war. l, SAs Wsgsd for The purpose OF
holding race 10 bondage on the pveteuce
that Inc non slayehOldiDg portions OF The
country hsd violated the Constitution
The war continued four years and resulted
n The defeat Of The advocates Of bondage
and the emancipation OF The enslaved.
GiSsn,ic as were The preparations for
attack and deience-hoslile IS were The
political feelings and principles which
sc,uslsd the beligerent forces. no lives
were sacrificed for political reasons and
70 day 6lIesn years alter its commence
neni. the pardoned frairicides are in the
sesis Of the honored OF the land.
Since The occurrence OF these events
and the lapse of one hundred years, the
people have much 10 study 10 the present
situation. The country il divided into
strongly marked parties-RepublicAn and
Democratic. The real foundation OF these
parties is The same IS twenty or twenty
i've years ago. The radical principle
and sentiment on which they divide is that
OF labor. II Is the principle of caste. 1t
is the question not simply whether white
race shall control and monopolize black
lace; bot Nhether sn ignorant class OF
both blacks and whites shall be allowed
the rights OF citizenship and the control
OF their minds and muscles.
Those men who have fought Tor caste
and lost, have not forgotten or iorssken
their customs and traditions. The demo
Gratis both South and North declare the
negro an inferior race. They deny bis
right, even since bis emancipation. to the
ballot or 10 equality before the law. They
AL deny him education. and are resolved
70 PerpeiuA.e his ignorance and degrade
ton. Southern democrats declare that
Ia eoloEsd rass shall aot have The benefit
Of 81 stem OF free schools under the laws
Of the State; and they have voted nnani-
monsly 10 abolish the Buie Su OF Education
established by Congress Tor the purpose
OF disseminating information on educs-
uonal subjects. And Mr.. Hill OF Georgia
who is the authorized mouth piece OF
Southern democracy declared only year
ago lhA. Il I'VE fail with the ballot box In
is76-B we must have war-if the war
must come, lei Il come. / am ready Mr..
Hill who Is so full Of reconciled affection.
90 gushing Ter reform aud 1--we. when in
ssrpreted ssys:-"It We can't intimidate
toe negroes and Keep them IRON the polls
AID kill The Republican party Ia 1876 we
will have war; am ready -
What reform and reconciliation are, We
now know, since this Congress met. 1t
consists OF turning Union soldiers out and
Putting In rebels in subordinate places
IL consists in repeating laws tor the pro-
motion OF education. II consists also in
The presentation Of claims for damages
caused By rebellion. Il consists also in
efforts to amnesty all those who violated
THAR oaths Of allegiance.
Loud declarations these reiormers make
against he corruption of his AdministIa-
a0ni charging il with all forms Of negli.
eencs. malfessanee. stealing and the like.
Innuendoes, suspicious and denuncistions
o. al kinds are hurled continually at the
pur &c patriots and the best men in the
country, whose lives have been al honor
10 the country and whose services have
been Distinguished beyond All modern