Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-04
laiIn Sirnnrbct eourna'
Present Duty.

On the anniversary of the birthday OF
the nation, though ful citizens will turn
their attention from r, jolcing over past
achievements to consideration of present
duty. The past i secure, ii cannot be
changed the present is the me III which
the future is moulded. Oar lathers nooly
did their duty in the formation OF the gov
erumebt; if we do ours as well as they
did. future generations VII sound our
praises as we sound theirs
The nation is passing through a critical
period of its existence. Tne great rebel
lion that threatened its life ended with TIE
Union unbroken, but the gigantic struggle
left behind it results which are It'll OF
menace to the national sai,ty and pros
periry.
FIRST and foremost is the danger that
appears in the control of the Southern
States by the democratic party, with The
evident intent to take the government OF
this country from the hands OF the men
who fougl t to save i and place it in tn
hands of those who did all they COLL to
DESTROY it. A solid democratic South
will be powerful tattIr IA deciding the
next presidential election. 1t ri 5 lh
present House will it rule the next? 1t
will control the Senate next March; and
hopes to elect the President ol the United
States in 1880. Should ii succeed in lis
l. TIL !, tI,., } sti.,
revenge aud greed OF the South viii not
carry it 1t is alarming to think OF thl,
government absolute Y in the power OF
those who would have destr, yed it il they
could. 1t is said in some quarters thai
the rebe Is of The South have rrpented ol
their great sin against the nation, but the
most of the signs which come from tAe
South are of different character.
Again, we see in the movement made t.
unseat President Hayes. after he was de-
clared duly elected aud had occu pied the
President al chair year without MS tide
being questioned. d scheme 10 MexIcanIze
this government, t. render every Ples.-
Dental election II PIT xL Tor revolution
and civil war. Nothing but the Voice u
the pc. pie heard through the p ess aud il
public meetings and private p sech, de-
nounrng tae Potter Committee, aud wain-
ing il To make no 1T eek upon the Pest
dents title, prevented 1t lrom going thai
length. Tue same party which Went into
rebellion because l. ncon was made Pres
dent, engages ia conspiracy to turn
Hayes out oi his otfice. Is there net
the greatest danger that il such ptrtN
obtains the power the liberties vi lhl,
people will be lost? Can 1t be trusted?
Another subject which American citi-
zens must regard with great apprehension
is the spread OF Cummuuisic ideas and
doctrines, and the organic itiou OF patio,
to give them political power aud ill.,
fuence. In various ways and degrees the
manifestations OF the Communisuc spilil
appear. In this Stale we have ii in the
form of The greenback parry, crying out
against the inequality between the rich
and poor, striving to organize labor
against capital. and to fAslen upon tn,
country deiusive p tper currency. In other
States the spirit more iully developed ad-
vocales breaking up society, leyellng ali
down to one common degradation, in
which brute strength shall govern. Some
greenbackers are bold enough to ia,
that the road which ,hey are travelling Is
the way to the Commune; but whether
the party affirm Or deny ii. That Is the sol.
emu Truth. The trainers of the Cunslitu.
ton were so sensible ul the evils OF an
irredeemable p pr currency, OIL which
they had sufficient exp ;rnnce in the
Revolution. that they declared IN that in
strumeDt, that no State shall "coiu
money, emit bis OF credit, or make any
thing hut gold Or silver coin II tender IN
payment OF debs.' But the wisdom OF
the fathers, given TO them through cost '
experience, ot what cons, fence is II
when weighed Win The raul,ng OF si.h
nobodies aud demagogues seeking new
paths to poIitic-l P, eIerlnenl rnue. to be
sure, will furnish d reuedy Tor gteenback-
ism, but the evil tn; disease ma,
accomplish in short lime is s. immense
that the sooner II is stan pcd cut the better.
In celebrating The glorles vi the pl,t
to-day, let every honest aud patriotic ciI.
zen remember that the Present has its du-
ties 10 be performed, it, evils To be over.
come. We have pointed out some of the
greatest Causes u danger a. the p esent
tune to our peace aud prosperity as II ma
ton, aud against these all good m, n
should unite with one heart aud mind.
Scion Chase was announced Y posters
TO speak in the Guy la ast evening. A