Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-22
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AUG u ~ II A,
Thursday Morning, Maroh ~, 1877.
Attitude of the Democracy.

Attitude of the Democracy.
The attitude of the democracy In re-
gard TO the new administration is one OF
observation chiefly. They are waiting to
see the full development of the policy OF
President Hayes. Although the lively inn
aginations of some OF the Washington cor
respondents have seen signs which to them
indicate the breaking away from their par
~ of sufficient number of democratic
congressman to give the republicans the
next Speaker of the House, there are
good many doubts that thing so desira-
BILE will occur. 1t is not much like demo-
Gratis TO conduct themselves in that way.
They may give encouraging signs-es-
pecially if they can gain some favor or
patronage from the republicans by so
cheap method-that they will mount the
platform of independence and leave their
old associates in the lurch, but when the
test comes they are pretty sure to be found
acting with their party. We have an idea
that when the next House is organized the
democrats will be found voting together
notwithstanding the predictions of those
who hope otherwise. The Richmond En-
quirer having taken pains to gather the
opinion of many leading Virginians, says
ii speaks their sentiments when it declares
that the integrity of the democratic party
must be preserved at all hazards. The
New York World agrees with the Enquir-
err, and in an editorial discusses the situa-
ton from its standpoint as follows:
president Hayes has been feeling his way eau
tously towards the adoption of a new policy
towaid s the South with an eye probably to a
arrangement of party lines. The republican lead
ers have been watching the development of bis
game and making up their minds whether to spoil
i at stroke or TO take a hand in it and play it
out for themselves. The democratic Senators
have been apparently puzzled to know whether TO
accept the reforms promised in good faith; or to
seek the alliance of the President in the hope of
breaking up the republican party; or to 60 right
on in the even tenor Of their way and make
manly effort by democratic means. To the out
side world il looks If little progress had been
made by anybody, but private intrigues in Wash.
ington may be advancing more rapidly than the
surface indications would lead one to suppose. If
President Hayes promptly withdraws the Federal
troops from Louisiana and South Carolina, that
act may be taken as an indication that his intrigue
for the formation of an administration party in the
South has been measurably successful in its first
phase, which implei the acquisition of at least
few Southern allies. Such a course, followed by
call for an extra session Of Congress might even
indicate his confidence in the ability OF the admin
straton to control democratic votes enough to Sc
cure the organization of the next house. Indeed,
so long as the democracy holds firm to the deter
minAtion to refuse money for the support of the
army while employed in maintaining fraudulent
State governments, it will be useless for the Pres
dent to call Congress together, unless he means to
surrender as gracefully as may be, and he is
doubtless now endeavoring to sell his concessions
ut the best price that be can obtain. If be can
bring over any considerable following in the
Southern States by the acknowledgement of
Nichols and Hampton, the promise of a system of
internal Improvements, or in any other way, with
out making bis deserton of the colored people
and the carpet.baggers too fragrant, the main
boay Of his party will give hearty adhesion to
the new departure. But even a temporary sue
cess purchased in this way must involve such a
profound disqualification, that coalition be-
tween republicans and Sontherners, cementcd on
ly BY the cohesive power of the public plumber,
will 20 TO pieces before the National democracy
At the first onset Such alliance must of neces-
sity be false and hollow and for every vote which
it wins in the South it will lose two in the North
If President Hayes delays his action in the cases
Of Packard and Chamberlain, it will be safe to as
sumo That the issue oil his negotiations Is still in
volved in uncertainty, while if he should take up
the championship Of those usurpers and their in
EQUITIES where President Grant dropped it. it will
be clear that bis hesitation was a strictly CONNER
cisl maneuvre looking to bargain and SALE and
that having failed to make advantageous terms he
has determined TO fall back on the old lines of last
years campaign, broken and battered as they are
and take up again with the banner of Blaine
The great democratic party certainly must
disregard all the pretty intrgues set on foot by
opponents who have now no refuge whatever save
In intrgues. The true of the party is clear
before it. Ii leads straight on through the broken
waves. Democrats have nothing to do with the
game which is playing out between President
Hayes and his place holding place seeking fol-
lowers, and Mr. Blaine and the solid radical
phalanx he has SO sdroitly captured. Democrats
must not be turned from their purpose of re-esab-
lishing constitutional government over all the
country by fair promises, as they have not been
turned from it by threats. The democratic party
being true to itself will have no need to bargain
for the granting Of Home Rule to the Southern
States for it holds in its grasp the control of the
army, which has been abused to destroy Home
Rule. Southern as well as Northern men must
plainly see that everything which could possibly
be won from the present administration as an eff
feet of its bounty and benefcence is already as
sured to us by its fears and its weakness. The
safety Of the whole country lies in the strength
and steadfsstness of the great democratic party
which has compelled President Hayes TO proclaim
policy of reform North and South and which
alone can make him carry it out"
The Cabinet and the Southern