The Portland daily press., 1880-07-31

asking their confidence, and vote as their wel-
fare and not their prejudices dictate. Some
fragments of history will be useful in their
search after the right course in the pending
campaign.
With the election of 1852 the Democratic
party came into power after season OF official
fasting and thirsting, and, as should be the
course of minorities under Republican gov
ernment, all the elements of the opposition
peaceably acquiesced in the change, and
quietly surrendered the powers and emolu-
ments they had enjoyed
In 1860, indignant at the expressions, exac-
tions and corruptions of the Democratic party,
the people arose in their might, and in the
true Republican way, registered at the polls
an overwhelming verdict against its further
reign. But the Democratic party did not
peaceably submit to the verdict by ballot, nor
quietly surrender the power it had enjoyed as
other parties had done in like circum-
stances since the foundation of the Republic
Beaten in fair trial by ballot, it appealed to
the bullet and the bayonet, and waged one OF
the cruelest and most expensive wars of mod
dern times.
Following this National example of Demo-
cratic policy, the so-called Democratic party of
the South, repeatedly beaten by overwhem-
ing majorities, has refused to abide the results,
and resorted to violence and fraud to over
come and nullify the fair verdicts of the citi-
Zens.
But the solid South is a minority in Nation
al politics, and cannot alone control National
affairs. 1t was necessary to apply this new rule
the ballot if it favors us, the bullet if MOTTO
some Northern States, in the hope of subvert-
ing the whole electoral system. In 1878, after
more than twenty years of uninterrupted and
successful administration, the Republicans
of Maine were beaten at the polls by an al
lance of incOngruous elements, held together
by the (anticipated) COHESIVE power of public
plumber and the love OF rum.' The moving
principle of the Republican party Is that fair
elections shall be the test of the popular will,
and however wicked or Objectionable party
may be, majority of votes gives it the same
rights that the most approved party would
have under like conditions. The Republicans
OF the State of Maine, therefore, not only quiet
ly acquiesced In the result, but having the
power and the opportunity at hand, refused to
take advantage of the Irregularities and imper-
fections in order to nullify the verdict, and
certified to the election of all their opponents
who appeared to be elected by the official
returns. They sought simply and solely to
give force to the will of the people as expressed
by the ballots actually cast
One year OF this new tangled party satisfied
the people of Maine that they would DO well
to restore the Republican party to power. Ae-
cordingly they chose Legislature which had
in both branches large Republican maiorities
BY right and usage, the State officials, holding
office through a Legislation whose election
was certified by Republican officers under cir
cumstances not one-half as binding should
have certified the election of those having the
majority OF votes. But the desperadoes of
tho Democratic party dictated that the tactics
of the confederate cause should be applied
and by fraud, forgery and perjury, backed by
threats OF violence, the election was sought to
be vitiated, and the minority members were
certified to be elected.
1t was only by the frmness and courage and
patriotism of the Republican party that this
great wrong, like that of the Democratic re-
bellion of '61, was defeated, and it was only BY
the forbearance and prudence of the Republi-
can leaders that violence and bloodshed, such
as the Democratic party iEaugurated and have
were avoided.
In view of these things, is it safe to entrust
the Democratic party with the National gov
ernment for four years and the Fusion party
with the State government for two years? Is
there any principle involved in the Gu
sion" cause which can compensate for the risk
of war and anarchy at the end of their lease of
power? Will the citizens of Maine deliber-
ately give themselves into the hands of the
men who would re-enact the disgraceful role of
the Garcelon gang, or inaugurate another
civil war, when asked to surrender their trust
to the people? a,
All other issues in Republic dwindle into
insignificance beside the one of free ballot
and an honest count, and for these, the guar
antees OF peace and good government, the Re-
publican party will ever stand.