The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-09-20
The Massachusetts Democrats.

The action to be taken by the Faneuil Hall
Democrats next week is a subject not only
for curious interest but for anxious solcitude
as well. There is no possible doubt that the
convention will reject Butler and all his
works, or that it will declare in favor of an
honest currency based on and redeemable in
coin. That much is certainly to be expected.
But it is question whether it will content
itself with useless protest against the course
entered upon by the men who nominated
Butler at Worcester, or join hands with the
only force, the Republican organization, that
has reasonable chance of defeating the mot
ley host gathered under the banners of the
great demagogue. A triangular contest,
with three candidates for Governor in the
field, must, it would seem, materially aid
Butler. 1t will be like the duel in sMidship.
man Easy" There is little doubt that, had
not the Republican convention followed so
closely upon the disgraceful scene at Worces-
ter, overtures, honorable alike to those who
made them and those to whom they were
made, for an alliance of all the foes of Butler
ism would have been proffered. The oppor-
tunity was suffered to pass however. 1t now
remains with the straight Democrats to rise
above party and assist their old-time oppo-
nents in defeating this new and dreaded
enemy which menaces both them and the
best interests Of the Co mmonw wealth.
1t may be thought by the Massachusetts
Democrats that they can hold their own men
more securely if they make straight Demo-
cratic nomination; that coalition with the
Republicans will drive many to the But
Ter standard. 1t might drive some, but these
would be men desirable to lose, men who will
be with Butler next year if they are not this.
Just now'it would be bad policy to divide the
anti-Butler forces in Difference to party pride
or prejudice. Then too the hard money men
of both parties must look to the future and
shape their present course by the signs of the
times. Indications are many and multiply
ing that the long-talked-of reorganization Of
parties is fast coming about. The currency
question is the great issue before the country.
1t is the one thing Of which all men talk, in
which all men are interested. 1t does seem
that party declarations hereafter must shape
themselves by it. 1t is this reorganization OF
parties that Butler is attempting to force.
Why cannot the hard-money men of Massa-
chusetts crafty him, and, to use the homely
phrase of the father of the Greenback move
ment in Maine, '.jine drives?' If not this
year they must do it next; for, unless all signs
fail, there will soon be but two political or.
ganizations in this country, hard.money
and soft-money party. The hard-money
party may be called Republican, the soft
money party will not bear the name of Dem
ocratic. The Nationals are too confident OF
their future, too proud of the great successes
they have won, to adopt the name OF any 9TH
er political organization. Democrats and Re
publicans may come to them. They will not
go to either. But the fight, under whatever
names, will be made on the currency ques.
ton, and the hard-money men will do well to
be getting into line.
Whatever course the leaders of the Massa-
chusetts Democracy may resolve upon there
Is good reason to believe that thousands Of
Massachusetts, Democrats this fall will put
their votes where they will do the most good,
that is throw them for Thomas Talbot.