Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-09-17
Conyaemts on Our Election.

These are tho lessons the New York
Times draws from The Maine election: In
the meantime we can only attribute this
most unfortunate aud disgraceiul incident
in our politics to the misguided discon-
tent OF The rural population OF Maine,
oppressed by debt rashly incurred. and
laying hold of any hope OF reiiei extended
10 them, without reflection as 10 the reai
and permanent effect OF the measures TO
which they have given their APPROVAL
That al the very crisis OF the long and
arduous struggle which tho country has
undergone 10 overcome the evils brought
on by paper money and the waste OF war,
SO conservative State rs Maine has
always been should allow the Illusion oil
imitation and possible reputation to make
such progress among her people is
grieyous disappointment TO the friends oil
sound money and grave discrodit to
herself. Bot the result docs not justify
any condemnation of tho Republican
policy in the State. That party comes
out OF the conflict with well-dehned con-
yictions. firmly held and coursgeously
maintained. No concessions It could pos
sibly have made would have saved II
from defeat, while they would have cost
it ali hope OF future redemption, and
would have made redemption a weary
and difficult task. TheIe can DO no doubt
that in the bitter contest which awaits the
country. the principles OF honesty and
sober common sense must win ID the long
run. Ii is a cause OF Just coDgratulssion
10 themselves and TO the country that the
Republicans of Maine have been true to
those principles. When the present
craze for short and easy way OF paying
debts without means, for making some
thing of absolute nothing. shall have
passed away, the Maine Republicans who
have kept their heads cool and their
courage firm, will be sble TO hold up an
untarpished standard, about which q bet
ter informed and juster public opinion can
and will rally. The Democrats, on the
other hand, have lost everything, con-
sistency, honor, and political advantage.
They have given their birthright Tor u
mess OF poltage, and have not won the
pottage. When the people regain their
senses, when they come To see by the
clear light OF experience and reflection
the hopelessness OF the illusion by which
they have been for the moment misled.
they will turn with disgust and indigns-
lion from the tricksters whose facile mo-
rality and low cunning betrayed the cause
they once pretended 10 serve, Bitter as
is The chsgrin and regret OF the Repub
lican leaders at the reflection That they
hsve overrsted the honesty and sense CT
the people OF Maine. II cannot be 50 hard
10 bear IS the consciousness OF the Dem
ocrats that their base traffic with the soft
money men has reduced them TO the low
est rank in the State, while il has rendered
them utterly incapable OF gaining popu-
lar confidence after the momeniAry mad
ness shall have passed of.
The BGlias, Journal says: In con-
cusion let Us say that the friends OF sound
currency will bide their time. They can
well afford TO. Right is not the less right
because il is for time OVERCOME. Even
IN SOlomon's day there were those, each
wiser iu his own coDceit than seven men
that can render reason Relribuhon
will surely come. when through Ignorance
or folly the eternal laws which govern
finance are viosted. Though oonires
blaze, and brass bands crash, and excited
is shout, the rejecting man knows
that there will follow, fas. and sure, that
which will be neither gladness nor re-
joicing
The Providence Journal says; The ex-
pectstlop OF stable snd honest and Just
currency upon which TO found busine 50
transactions is rudely shaken by this
news from laine. There is less hope.
less faith in the future, less disposition 10
enter upon legitimate transactions, less
confidence in the intelligence of the voter,
less belief in the glory OF the future OF
our country. And all this without regar d
to party lines. The Democrat who is en-
gsged in business, who hiss capital to
lose. or who depends upon his capacity.
caution and holesty TO make fortune. or
who, having retired from active life with
q competency, is anxious TO leave ii 10
his children. is equally dazed and dis
couraged rs is the Republican.
SECRETARY SHERMAN ON TIE Result
Washington specials report that Secretary
Sherman says that tho Maine election in-
dicates the probability that the Greenback
party will take the place OF the Demo
cratic in national politics. II might not
be surprising il the Greenbackers held
the balance of power 10 several States
and in Congress soon. The growth of
the Gree nback movement as shown 10 the
Maine election has surprised tho Repub-
licaus and Democrats alike. The result,
is particularly discomforting 10 the Re-
publicans because OF their failure to
maintain their domination IN that State.
and because OF the moral effect in other
States.