Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-11-13
Political Parties.

The elections this fall have disappointed
the expectations of those who hoped to see
in the result evidences of the disintegra-
ton of the republican party and the evol-
ution of a third great party. The signs
all point with unerring certainty IN the
opposite direction-to The stability and
permanency of the republican party aud
against the rise of any new party to
divide or weaken the strength which the
republican party holds in the politics of
the country.
Ii was thought that the struggle of last
year in the Presidential election. followed
by a Presidential policy which has prac-
tically abandoned the South to the democ-
racy, had weakened the sinews of the re-
publican party and SO divided 1t as to des-
troy its vitality and power, but the
elections tell very different story. In
spite of the discouragements' and distrac-
tons which the republican party has been
visited with the present year, and the
apathy and inertia consequent upon the
long contest for the Presidency, it has
borne itself bravely in all the contests OF
the year, always excepting in the South
where it is disbanded. Looking over the
field, from Maine to Kansas, where cleo
tions have been held, we find the or
ganization strong, courageous, true to its
principles. There is dissatisfaction In a
large degree with the policy of the ad-
ministration. but for all that republicans
90 to the polls together. work together.
knowing that the difference of opinion
existing will be of temporary duration,
and that in the future as in the past
they will stand together for the faith which
is held in common by all true republicans.
This fact stands out prominently on the
records of the late election, that nowhere
have the democrats received any addition
TO their strength by recruits from the re-
publican party. Take the case of Penn
sylvania. where the democratic ticket pre-
vailed; there is no change of party
votes, Of party strength; disaffection pre-
vailed to that extent that it kept a por-
ton of the republican party from the
polls, but another year the election of
Congressman will bring out the stay-at-
homes and the State will be republican
rs usual.
A great deal has been said about the
moribund condition of the republican par
ty, but the elections show no signs of dis
solution. On the contrary it promises to
live in honor and strength these many
years yet. 1t has suffered from mistakes
and from the evils that were unavoida
BILE In the management of the vast af-
fairs entrusted to it, but it has become
rooted and fixed in the confidence of the
American people and cannot be over
thrown.
There can be but two great national
parties in this country, the republican
and democratic party. Men will belong
to one or the other of these. No third
party stands any chance of gaining foot
ing between them. When was there
ever such an apparent opportunity for
irregular parties to increase their num-
bers as has been offered this yearP But
the result of all the drumming and blow
ing for prohibitory, greenback. working
mems, and all the other independent and |
toni-fool tickets has amounted to moth |
ing at all. These parties and their men,
bers will gradually be absorbed by the
two great parties. They make great
deal of noise but can't command manv
votes at the polls. They have excellent
prospects at the opening of every cam
paign, if we can believe what they say,
but 60 into bankruptcy when the votes
are counted. II they get hold of a
piece of genuine thunder it is stolen
away from them by one or the other
of the big parties, while they 90
about the streets mourning as farm
er mourns when his crops have been cut
off. As we said before. they seemed to
have good chance this year, but the
summer is over and the harvest ended,
and there is scarcely enough of these
parties lett tor seed. The old parties
stubbornly refuse to yield the field to the
irregulars, and hence it follows that the
side-shows will be abandoned sand the
great parties will monopolze the votes
of the people and the management of
public affairs.