The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-11-22
Democratic Hints at Treason.

TatrlOIlc cltlZenS VINO nave the GOOD or the
country at heart, and who hold the prosperity
OF the republic far above the success of any
party are becoming alarmed at the turbulent
and threatening language of the Democracy,
aud note with sorrow the desperate expedi-
ents suggested by the leaders of that party.
On every street corner where Democrats are
gathered together the most violent and reYo-
lutionary talk is heard. Much of it is prob-
ably mere gasconade, some of it is doubtless
due to bad whiskey, but enough of it is sim
cere to justify grave alarm. Good citizens
are willing to make due allowance for the
hasty language called out by bitter disap-
pointment; If they do not symyathize with
they can appreciate the sadness of Henry
Watterson's mournful remark that sixteen
years is a long while between drinks;' and
they do not greatly wonder at Democratic
thirst for Office and Democratic rage at the
discovery that the fair prospect is only
mirage But when men who have been edu-
Gated in the service of the nation, who should
make it their part to calm and not increase
the dangerous excitement, and journals of
wide influence whose types should talk mod
Grafton instead of revolution, indulge in
iDtammatory language and threaten the
Inauguration of Tilden by force, the feeling of
apprehension and dread which is entertained
by honest and patriotic citizens is not i'll
founded. Conservative men, whether they
voted for Hayes or voted for Tilden, now COM
pare the present attitude of the two parties,
and the comparison is all in favor of the Re-
publican. The positions of the two parties
are in sharp contrast. No threats of violence,
no murmurs of revolution, are heard from Re-
publicans. If majority of the electoral
votes is given to Tilden they will cheerfully
acquiesce and will see that he is peacefully
inaugurated. On the other hand the Demo-
Gratis declare that they shall not acquiesce if a
majority of the electoral votes be given to
Hayes. They threaten opposition at Wash
ing!on, and if that fails they hint at armed
revolution. Contrasting the patriotic tone of
the one party with the reasonable tone of
the other conservative men, both those who
supported Hayes and those who sup.
ported Mr.. Tilden, are fast taking the posi-
ton withithe Republicans, and the Demo-
cratic party is losing its most respe ctable
element. 1t is in reason to assert in the light
of the developments of the last few weeks
that should the Presidential election take
place to-day Gov. Hayes would have an over
whelming majority OF votes.
The Democrats are making the same mis-.
take they did in 1861. Now as then they are
loudly proclaiming that war would not be
confined to the South, that hostile bands
would contest the streets of every Northern
city. The Northern Democratic press is
much more violent than the Southern, for
the Southerners, to their credit be it said, are
generally keeping cool, perhaps for the reason
| that they realize what war is and their North
ern allies do not. The large and influential
Democratic journals of the North are indus
| triously tanning the flames of discomfort, and
the little and uninfuential journals are fol-
| lowing the unworthy example. Even the
venerable Eastern argus, The most lamb-like
| of papers in time of war, and whose cry is al
ways for an armistice, joins the bowling pack
and lifts its voice for revolution. These
| journals and the men whose opinions they
represent will presently find that they have
made great mistake. The people have con-
| doned one act of treason by the Democratic
party. They will never forgive another.