The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-16
The New Recruit.

The Democrats are wild with joy. They
have made another great conquest.
The white flag floats for the second time
this winter over captured carpet-bag-
ger. After Pinchbeck, Purmau. Let the
good work go on. The Republican party
has no objections. It has much ado TO
conceal its joy. One by one its rogues are
going over to the enemy. So far from i'm
peding their desertion it applauds the treach-
cry aud seeks to speed the happy day when
the rogues, unfortunately not few, that are
lett in its ranks will 60 over in body to the
Democracy. The rascals all find that hospi-
table organization city of refuge, an asylum
for detected scoundrels. 1t is strong argu-
ment for the honesty Of Madison Wells, in
fact, about the only strong one, that he has
not deserted to the Democratic party. Evi,
dently he lacks the first instincts of rascal.
While it is far from our purpose TO belittle
the proselyting power of the Democracy, its
capacity to make converts, it must be ad-
mltted that the Democratic missionaries find
their work nearly done to their hands. 1t
requires but few finishing touches, general
ly of pecuniary nature, to complete the con-
version. Scratch the typical carpet-bagger,
the man who thrives on the misfortunes of
the community, and you find a Democrat be-
meath. All his methods of political work are
Democratic, consecrated by Democratic
usage for half century, all his principles of
political morality are of the worst Democratic
school, and in his practice he does no dis
credit to his teachers. He is Democratic in
his disregard for the right, in his huge appe-
tite for office, in his keen scent for public
punder. He is only Republican in name.
And he is willing to sell his name for rea-
sonable consideration. The difference be-
tween the Simon Pure pet-bagger and the
Northern man who goes South with the in
tention of making that section his home, of
gaining his living by legitimate enterprise and
honorable labor, is as marked as the differ
ence between Purman and man of princi
pie. The carpet-bagger sooner or later be-
comes Democrat. The other clings to his
Republican principles as he does to his hon.
esty.
Purman is an excellent specimen of the
carpet bagger He is dsreputable fellow
who has been suspected of ways that are dark
since the beginning of his sojourn in Florida,
His seat in Congress is contested, and title to
that seat from the Democratic House is the
price of his apostasy His change of heart is of
recent date. About three weeks ago ne in
formed Republican member of the House
that the campaign had ruined him financially,
end that he would be compelled to do some.
Thing to recover from his pecuniar3 embarrass-
ment. "The Democrats" said he In substance,
shave now the lines in Florida, and will man.
age to hold them. cannot 90 back there
unless something is done for me; and if these
Republicans don't help me, must help my
SELF" And he has helped himself For
some time the Republicans have suspected
him. He was in negotiation in Florida,
prior to the canvass of the vote, with agents
of Tilden for bribing the Returning Board.
This Purman stated himself, but explained
that he entered into the negotiation merely
to prevent Tilden's agents from opening
negotiations with other parties who, being
less honest than Purman, would have made
an assault on the board. Samuel B. McLin,
a member of the Florida Canvassing Board,
as long ago as Jan. s wrote to Republicans
caationing them against Purman. McLin,
in his letter, said that Purman told him prior
to the canvass that Tilden had too much
money to be defeated, and that they should
not stick with the Republican Party and lose
the opportunity of doing something handsome
for themselves. Such is the character of the
latest recruit to the party of honesty and
reform. We wish them joy Of their pur-
chase.