Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-11


Domination of the COnfederates.
The supremacy of the old Confederate
element in the popular branch of Con-
gress is complete when it chooses to as
sert its power, as was clearly shown in
the recent struggle over the choice OF
Doorkeeper. AT the command of its
leading representatives northern dough-
ders did in time of war at the command
of Lee. Beauregard and Johnston. They
are under the control of the same ee-
ment that raised and led the armies that
waged an unholy war against the govern
ment four long and bloody years. 1t is
said sometimes that the past has been for
gotten. but every time Confederate
officer comes up as candidate for place
or favor under the House, the democrats
of that body never fail to remember that
he fought under the banner of secession,
and for this support his claim. General
Shields is democrat, but according to
Confederate ideas he fought upon the
wrong side, and this was remembered
against him and defeated him. Mr.. Hale
placed the matter in its true light in a
brief speech which he made on the day
the vote for Doorkeeper was taken, in
which he said:
do not wonder that gentlemen on the
other side hesitate TO vote on this ques-
ton. II Is no surprise to me that points
of order have been made, and that the
previous question has been voted down,
because the party on the other side is con-
fronted with question which shows its
bias. The tracks Of the party are all one
way-they are in a direction about which
the country is profoundly alarmed-the
domination in it of the old Confederate
element. The gentleman from New York
(Mr. Cox) asks US why the dead past is
not allowed to bury its dead, and the an
swer is that so fast as he and his associ-
ates gain power and have patronage TO
dispose of they will not let the dead past
rest; but whenever any act can be done
offensive to Northern sentiment in the dis
position OF patronage it is urged upon us
and is crys,aized in action. 1t was for
that that the last Congress took as ilb clerk
to the Committee OF Ways and Means,
Hamilton, the man who named his child
after the assassin of President Lincoln.
Ii was because of that that he last Con
gress chose an x-Sergeaut-at-Arms OF
the Confederate House OF Representatives
as the doorkeeper of This House, and had
to get rid of him at last because he was
tpcnnunQtpnt IL haoanSa r,t h.,
this Winter Southern man was tax
en- as doorkeeper. and when he failed las
his letter in the Post. to-day, says,) to do
the behests of leaders in his party, he was
turned out, and when the party went in
10 caucus again, it was confronted flor |
take the reports of the newspapers A. cor
reci) with the nominations both of Con-
federate soldiers and Union soldiers. Cen
eral Shields. who Is now supported on this
side. was nominated in that caucus by
Southern gentleman, and was sustained
by him. He was an equally good Dem
ocrat with the gentleman whom that eau
Gus has nominated He was equally
Southern man, residing in Missouri, where
the old doorkeeper came from. He was
true in every respect, to the party princi-
Piles which he had always maintained, and
was as good man AS General Field.
But he was overslaughed by vote OF five
TO one. General Shields has nothing to
recommend him to this side except his
loyalty and his ability and his services 10
the war. But, Mr.. Speaker, as sure as
tides and sunshine come, the party on that
side has got to take this cup to their lips
and has got TO decide whether or not there
are Influences in it which do not permit in
Tree competition a Union soldier who is a
democrat and who lives in the South. TO
gain place of this kind as against Con-
iederate soldier who deserted rhe flag,
who went back upon his military ALMA
mater, who went into the rebellion. and
whose only strength with the democratic
party Is because OF that.