Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-02
paiIp Aennsbee sournal.
Augusta, Friday Morn'g, May 2, 1872
The Democratic Defeat.


dolager. They are beaten in a
field of their own selection. There
would have been no contest had they not
compelled it, They forced the extra ses-
sion. The republicans faithfully warned
them of the perilous, unconstitutional, inn
polite course which they were bent on
pursuing, but all did not deter them from
rushing forward in the path which they had
chosen. Did they expect TO brighten Pres
ident Hayes into signing the repeal of the
election laws? Or did they hope-there
would be weak kneed republicans enough
to aid them so that veto could be over
come should the President interpose one
Whatever their expectations were the re-
suit has been terrible disappointment and
sore defeat to them. 1t is all the worse
for the democracy because there was no
need of it, and because it was so ostenta-
tiously invited, with all the expense of an
extra session, and in total disregard of the
business interests of the country which de-
manded peace and freedom from unneces-
sary political agitation at this time.
What are they going to do about it now
that the veto has come, forever setting at
rest the idea that President Hayes can be
frightened or cajoled into yielding to the
purposes of the democracy, and showing
the republican party firmly knit together
in support of the Presidents veto? They
can with decency do but one thing, that is
surrender. And the most prompt, com
plete surrender will be the most iudicious
for them. 1t will be bitter dose to take,
but the quicker they take 1t the sooner the
agony will be over. They must pass the
appropriation bills without the political
riders. None but insane men would take
the responsibility of stopping the wheels
of government-as the democrats must if
they refuse to vote the money which the
people have furnished and are furnishing
literally to support the needs of govern
ment. They will never dare to shoot such
political Niagara as that. They will
create a great smoke, and raise a hideous
noise with the beating of tin-pans, in or
der to cover their retreat if possible, but
retreat they must and retreat they will,
however mnch they dislike to do it.
The New York World has already adj
vised them to back down. 1t says;
Under no temptation, under no provo
cation let Congress now adjourn without
making all the appropriations necessary
to carry on the Government. Represent
ing the majority of the American people,
Congress must see to it that the wheels of
the public administration are kept smooth
ly and steadily in motion; and if the Pres
ident of factious and mischievous minor
ity, under the guidance OF evil counsel
lors, insists upon obstructing with his veto
Legislative repeats in harmony with all the
great precedents of the history of freedom,
let the issues that he makes be taken by
the democratic party calml y and iearlessly
before the tribunal of the people in all the
States of the Union.'
Prudent advice, But how hunilating
to party that has just assumed the con-
troll OF Congress after being in minority
for eighteen years What a celebration
of its return to power! Another Conieder-
ate rising against the government subdued
What an ignominious sequel to the decla-
rations of Beck about the doings and de-
cisions and determinations of the demo-
cratic caucus at the opening of the extra
session
We take it the republican party will be
entirely ready to meet whatever issue the
World and its party may elect to present
in regard to the veto. The people of this
country prefer to be guided by the consti-
tuition rather than to be governed by DEM
ocratic caucus edicts prepared and sent
out by Confederate brgadiers, who are
not only determined to repeal all the war
Legislation in the statutes of the United
States, but to run the flag of the whipped
Confederacy above the flag that loated
in triumph over the surrender at Apo
mattox.
The only trophies which the democrats
can exhibit as the result of this extra ses-
sion, are the scalps of Union soldiers who
have been removed to make room for reb-
ell soldiers and loughface democrats. If
they think this affords them an issue upon
which they can 60 before the loyal men
OF the North they had better try it,
The President message is unanswera-
BILE. 1t leaves the democratic party no
road of escape from surrender, and ii
completes the consolidation of the united
and confident republican party in the sup
port OF their official leader. In the de
fence of the position SO ably defined in
this important paper, the republicans of
all shades of opinion will stand by their
President to the very end. - Tribune.
The editor of the Machias Union has
softened down very much in his remarks