Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-26
from the Boston Journal.
THE POLITICAL DRIFT.


THE POLITICAL DRIFT.
Already begins to be apparent that law
OF elections, noticed recently in we'll
known communication in our columns. by
which the Republican vote invariably ris-
es In response to the importance of the
public exigency. The coming on of the
Presidential campaign is preceded by in
creased interest among the people, can
wasting of live issues, closer comparison
of the claims Of the two parties. and the
result is, wherever an opportunity to 60 to
the polls occurs, a marked strengthening
Of the Republican vote. That proves to
be feature of the recent town elections
in New York. In the local elections of
Pennsylvania it is still more conspicuous.
The Philadelphia Press says there has not
been like decisive result, SO far as ma
jorities are concerned, in favor of any par
ty which carried the State for years. In
almost every instance these majoritles-
which many had expected to be cut down
are increased over those given the Re-
publican party at the municipal elections
year and two years ago.
There are very good reasons why this
gratifying demonstration should be made
at this time. aside from the stimulating eff
feet of increasing political excitement no
ticed above. The democratic party has
been put where it could not conceal its
bankruptcy of principle and its still dan
gerous composition. As mere opposition
party in the minority, it was sheltered
from all responsibility all it had to do was
to criticise and attack, to direct attention
to and excite odium against the party in
power. If its managers succeeded in
breaking that down, there was no alterna-
tive but to install them in its place, with
out the least regard to their incompetency
or their unftness. They did SO far sue
coed in that policy as to get the control of
the National House of representatives,
since which time they have been commit
ting suicide about as fast as the opponents
of a great organization can. Setting out
with flourish of the reformatory achieve
ments they were about to give the country
they have utterly wasted eleven weeks of
the session. Even their investigations
amount to nothing, and their so-called
economy ranges between petty scrmpings
here and there and graver reductions
which threaten to interfere with the pub
lie interests. AS to any valuable financial
policy likely to be of benefit to the bust
ness community, they are apparently fur
Their from it-through the growth of the
imitation inAuence-than at the beginning
of the session. Worse still. however, have
been the indications that the ex-Confeder-
ate interest. controlled by men like Ben
Hill, Tucker and others, hold the party
by the throat. and will allow
it to go so far and no farther.
These things are apparent to the mass
es, who cannot help looking forward and
what would be the result of hav-
ing United States Senate and an Execu-
live in harmony with the present House.
Would the finances be saved from ruin by
any plan founded on the democratic plat
forms of Ohio and Pennsylvania? Would
the cause Of equal rights be strengthened
through the ascendency of those who do
not hesitate to announce on the floor of the
House that they have come back to punish
those who conquered secession in the field /?
Such are the questions which the people of
New Hampshire, for instance, are COM
PEELED to consider at this time. BY the
same rule. too. they are called upon to
record their votes for or against a candi-
date for Governor who stands on the rec
ord as declaring: II believe the name of
President Lincoln will go down to poster
ity along with the deep excavations of
those who revere the Union" Thus is
democracy self-consistent and all of a
piece throughout the Union. 1t is to be
met alike among the hills of New Hamp-
shire, on the floor of Congress. and in ev
cry State at the coming Presidential cam
paign and met it WiU be. triumphantly
and decisively.
The action of the Advisory Council in
the Plymouth church matter is as favora-
BILE to the latter as its best friends could