Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-02

ment seemed to indicate. Silence is
sorry Endorsement. When, as in this in
stance, the silence represents q compro-
misc acquiesced in by three-fourths ma
jority as the alternative of positive GEN.
sure, the Administration must realize
how completely its Southern action has
failed to enlist sympathy, or even to re-
ceive the sanction, of the republican par
ty in State in which its supremacy is
complete. There. if anywhere, the par
ty could afford to consider the subject on
its merits, and to declare les judgment
without reference to contingencies which
in more doubtful States are always pres
ent to the minds of the managers. The
Iowa republicans have no need OF re-
cruits. They have but to preserve party
unity to remain masters of the situation.
And the condition of unity, as we have
seen, is studied avoidance of the meth
DDS employed by the President to con-
ciliate the Southern democracy. The les
son will not be in vain if it teach the
party managers in other Northern and
Western States the hopelessness of any
attempt to extort a formal approval OF
the policy which may be quietly submit
ted to so far as to tell of accomplished
facts, but which on its own merits does
not commend itself to the judgment or
feeling of the party.
There is no reason for supposing that
Iowa is exceptional in this regard, or
that by more careful manipulation diff
ferent result may be elsewhere obtained.
1t is only necessary to follow the discuss
ion in the editorial columns of the repub-
lican press, and as it appears in speeches
and published correspondence, to per-
ceive that broad dividing line has been
drawn upon the Southern question be-
tween the Administration and large
portion of the party. Unwelcome as the
fact is. we shall lose more than we can
gain by ignoring it, or by acting on the
supposition that 1t will quickly disappear.
The outlook would have been different
had the Sonth responded more generous
ly to the overtures of the President. Its
ungracious resolve TO take all 1t can get
and to give nothing in return, suggests
grave blunder in his calculations. He
assumed, undoubtedly, that his own SUI
periority to the traditions and passions of
party would call forth evidence of kim
dred spirit on the side of the South.
Experience has not verified his expecta-
tions. The South receives his concessions
as matter Of course, and employs them
to consolidate the strength Of the demo-
cracy. From this source. therefore, he
obtains no help whatever. The conse-
quence is that the republicans throughout
the North find themselves Knocked by
surrender which brings not single coun-
tervailing advantage. They have been
deprived of a strong position without any
prospect Of obtaining an equivalent. This
view of the subject may not be very
lofty one, but it Is the view entertained
by the great body of the party, includ-
ing its most active workers, and in
State like Iowa its most influential men.
Their politics are practical, and they
care very little for sentiment which
benefits only their opponents.
But the common sense which keeps the
majority Of republicans from rhapsodIzing
about a policy OF reconciliation that really
reconciles nobody, also induces them to dis
countenance efforts TO reopen a question
which In its old aspects is effectually
closed. Be it right or wrong, beneficial or
disastrous, the Presidents Southern action
Is reversible. We cannot hope to accom-
plish anything useful by prolonging con-
troversy which is more likely to irritate
than to heal the wounds from which the
republican organization suffers. The re-
sentiment of Ex-Governor Packard is not
unnatural. When, however, he carries
to other States the stony of his sacrifice,
and uses it TO foster divisions in the party,
he falls into an error not less egregious
than that which impels him 10 promise the
speedy overthrow of the Democracy in
Louisiana. EVERYBODY knows that, as
matters now stand, there is no more likeli-
hood of Republican majority in Louisia-
ma than in Alabama orMississippi; and Mr..
Packard impairs his usefulness by making
the delusion a pretext for arraying Re-
publican convention against the admins
tration. The tone cultivated by the
temporary Chairman of the con-
vention is infinitely wiser. The
province of the delegates is to shape
policy for the guidance of the party in
the future-not to imperil the harmony of
the party by raising dead issue. concern
ing which marked diversity of opinion
exists. The oxer-zealous friend OF the
President, who called for commentator
of his cause, needed to be held in check
quite as much as the too sanguine sympa-
thizer with Mr.. Packard, who would have
arraigned the President for what cannot be
undone. The two ideas are alike fraught
with discard And the convention rem