Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-18
The COMPRESSION Il COntest-Its
Importance to the Republican
Party.

election OF members OF Congress. Every
power that the democrats can bring to
bear will he employed TO retain control OF
the-fivuse In the next Congress. The
Senate will soon have democratic ma
iority the election of democratic House
next Fall will therefore give the ex-Con-
federates full sway in both branches OF
Congress.
Is there any reasonable ground for the
hope that the republicans can overthrow
the democratic majority in the elections
to occur this year and redeem the House
from the contro! OF that party? That is
the question which many republicans are
revolving in their minds. 1t is the politi-
cal question of the year.
The answer to it is that the republicans
have the ability to redeem the House ii
they will They have but 10 make united,
vigorous, well concerted move upon the
enemy W orks and the victory will be ours.
Inifs74, the excitement caused by the fl
nancial panic operated with disastrous
effect upon the republican party in the
Western States. and even affected some
districts in the Middle and New England
States. As The party in power it was held
responsible Tor all the evils which an in
haied and irredemable currency had
brought upon the country, to eliminate in
the crash OF business houses in 1873, and
the long depression in business and in
dustrial operations which followed.
Right after the panic the elections for
Congressman In the Forty-iourth Con-
gress were held, and the result was that
the democrats found themselves for the
first time in long series Of years IN full
possession of the national House of Rep
resentatiyes.
They had clean majority over republi-
cans and Independents of more than ~
in . full House. This, however, was not
all due to the panic, tor the White League
and the ku-Kiux of the South then first
manifested their power and added their
share to swell the democratic victory.
Tho bulldozer was abroad in the land as
an auxiliary to the democratic party
much did his bloody and brutal hands ac-
complsh In the work of reform" in the
campaign of 1874.
But the advantage gained by the demo-
Gratis at that election has gradually been
leaving them. Protesting the Creates,
things as ''reformers." as men bound TO
act uprightly in governmental affairs and
place the public good before party con-
sderations, they have so conducted in the
House that the country has been shocked
by their partixan meanness and abuse OF
power, and particularly by the sub
serviency manifested by the leaders to the
wishes and demands of the ex Confeder-
ates, also alarmed at the prospect which
presents itself If such spirit rs rules in
the House should obtain control in the
government. They have robbed the
Treasury as far as they were able, pat
ronized the rebel soldier in preference to
the Union soldier, favored farther debase-
ment of the currency. subjected our army
10 insults and plotted to place it at the
mercy of those traitors whom 1t subdued
in battle. They have made it plain that
the South is the democratic party They
base their hopes of success upon the Solid
South, therefore anything that the South
desires the northern doughiace democrats
are bound to submit TO.
These things have opened the eyes of
the North. SO that the feeling is growing
that it is dangerous to trust the democra-
cy. and that only in the republican party
can the reins of government be placed
with safety The elections in 1876 for
members OF the present Congress bore
witness to the fact that the demo-
Gratis are losing ground in the North
Their majority of 20 in 1874 was reduced
down to -, in 1876, as the figures stood
al the opening of the session of Congress
since increased by turning republicans
out of their seats and giving them to demo-
Gratis who were never elected and had no
right TO seats. There is no doubt that the
feeling of distrust in the democracy man
ifested in 1876 is upon the increase, and
that the coming elections if well conduct
ed will see a republican majority returned
to the next House. National questions OF
great Importance depend upon our success
in that direction. With a republican major
lily in the House successful resistance may
be made to the plans of the ex Conlederates
And their plans are such that could they
be carried into effect the North would be
Inundated and plundered if not crushed.
The half has not yet been told of the de-
signs Of the South if the government
passes into their hands.
Ia order to be successful the republi-
cans must hold every Congressional dis
trict they held in 1876, and gain at least
some twenty districts. Our gains mus,
be in the Middle and Western States chief.
ly. In New England all that is required
Of us is 10 hold what we now have. Aud
We In Maine must see TO il that we do