Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-18

of the republicans the political fight in 1880 is not
an easy one in view of "Solid South" unless
there is an almost solid North The party that
holds New York. quite likely holds the key to vic
tory. From all appearances, with Tammapy bad
" defeated, the legislature and . large
msjority of the Congressional delegation
in the hands of the republicans, it seems
rs if that State was sure for them
in the next campaign. Indeed, many of the most
radical democratic papers. including the Balti-
more Gazette, give over the State to their oppo-
nents, and aver that they must find their extra
electoral votes in the West.
As to Congressional msjorities, out of the l4d
democratic members elected one hundred are from
the South. Thus the Northern portion is but q
tail to the southern kite. This immense prepon-
derance proposes to, and evidently will dictate the
policy and principles of the democratic party, and
its followers North will be chattels personal to be
used in carrying out southern measures. Feebly
smile or wondering vince, as ye choose, ye weak
kneed, pusillanimous toadies at the North the
fact is now before your eyes!
Happily the majority is SO small in the next con.
gress that the democracy, which means the South
damage. They probably cannot and will not try
to disturb the title of the President as they I'M
doubleday intended to do. had they obtained al
increased majority. They will hardly dare push
to the front the whole of rebel claims as they
were bent on doing; aud they cannot repeal the
anne ndments and statutes which have been enacted
during and since the to check them, anC
these will remain-though at present as dead let
ters-upon our statute books to be enforced-a
they should be-in the future, when the sole
North again asserts its rights and demands tina
justice and suffrage shall be accorded to all Amer
ican citizens who are entitled to them.
Another advantage is secured by the republ
cans in the late victory; that is the precedence
q sound money platform. The democrats have Sc
csjoled and hatteicd the greenbackers that the
latter have supposed them to be in full accort
with greenback principles and policy, in fact hsv,
gained large numbers of voters from them. Th
has tended to considerably strengthen the hope,
of the greenbackeis and demOralize the democra
cy. Now the latter knows not which policy t.
adopt. Should it take hard money stand thu
republican party will have already taken the
wind out of its sails" and the greenbackers, with
most of those democrats drawn to them, will mos
likely stand by themselves and vote as party
This would undoubtedly give the republicans
plurality in every northern State. On the othe
hand if the democratic party mounts . soft none
platform it will ALLEVIATE from its ranks large por
ton of the hard money portion; in fact nearl
all, and these swelling the ranks of the republican
party would most likely give it a majority in a
the northern States. Which horn of the dilemma
will choose remains TO be seen.
The prestige Of success. however, and the ad
vantages of principles and bases tor united an,
enthusiastic action are just now with the republl
cans. and if they hold to their sound platform AM
principles they almost sure to succeed in 1880
In spite of all difficulties. ELL