The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-08-14

the appliances of modern politics. 1t de-
bauched the ballot box. 1t issued fraudu-
lent naturalization papers by the thou
sands, and by means thereof it outraged
the Will of Il great State, the Empire
State Of the nation. We challenge any
respectable contemporary to question the
facts.
But the Democratic party failed. Baf-
fled again, it turned in 1872 to Horace
Greeley, Il lifelong opponent of its theo-
rieS, and one of the most conspicuous
enemies of all its pet doctrines. 1t threw
principle and consistency to the winds.
1t wanted place and power, and it hoped
that the kindly face and the venerable
hairs of the old Abolition leader would
cause the loyal North to forget or to
overlook the hungry pack that nestled
i'll the shadow of his great form. But
the North did not forget nor overlook.
1t declined to walk into the trap. and it
rejected the candidate by majority that
was simply overwhelming.
Thus defeated. the Democratic party
turned once more to its first love II
nominated for the Presidency. in 1876.
Samuel J. Tilden. another Coppcrhead
OF 1862. the hand-in- hand companion of
Clement l.. Nallandigham and the author
of the Democratic platform of 1864.
1t raised what it termed THE banner
of REFORM and it took a new depart
urc. 1t inaugurated reign of terror. 1t
clothed its Southern voters in red shirts
and armed them with the shotgun 1t
crawled in the very abyss of political
filth. 1t created Il new force in politics
i'll the shape of the midnight torch. 1t
threatened, it intimdated. it bulldozed,
had a black skin and would not vote the
Democratic ticket. 1t marshaled the
"kukluy' and the ''White Leagues >
and the "White Liners" and it made
two names, at least, infamous forever
Hamburg Butler and Wade Hampton.
1t aimed to secure by these methods a
S'iiNt "'o'ii. anu, tt' tii1 iNS'tie plpNN't.
it did not fall far short of its aim.
In the North, it made what was. appar-
emily, its last desperate effort to win. 1t
awaited itself OF every instrumentality,
legitimate or illegitimate. 1t subordi-
mated everything to its thirst for 1.-THE
spoilS.' 1t bought "muleS. it corrupted
where it could corrupt, and it cheated
where the opportunity was given it to
cheat. Tammany Hall. notwithstanding
its dislike of the nominee, bent its cner-
gieS to the task and brought to the work
all its resources Of political nastincSs. 1t
knew full well that the success of its
party would be the success of the organi-
cation whose most conspicuous leader
was William VI. Tweed. and of the sec
ton whose most striking figure was jeff
Davis. But the combination failed. 1t
was whipped. and fairly whipped. Demo-
cratic howls to the contrary notwith-
standing.
And now comes this same Democratic
party, in this year of grace 1880, behind
another mask. 1t trusts that this other
Union general. whom it has reared upon
its shoulders, will prove the Moses to
lead it at last out Of the political wilder
ness. Vain trust. Like Moses. he too
will die in sight of the promised land.
1t comes with platform that is, in
itself, the condemnation of all its former
pronunciamcntos. 1t spits upon its past.
Ignoring its declarations of 1861 and 1868,
it tells us that the results OF the war
must be preserved, and that the con
stitutional amendments are inviolablc."
Regardless of its demand made in 1876
for the repeal Of the Resumption Act, it
GEARS the best testimonial to the wisdom
of the Republican financial policy APP
parentiy forgetful Of it's championship
four years ago Of protective tariff, it
calls loudly to-day for an absolute and
unqualified free trade programme.
Hypocrisy dhzes from it at every pore.
Its stomach is empty. 1t must break lis
fast or die. And it is preparing to make
another desperate effort to seize the rcins
OF government 1t has east its line into
the waters and it has haited lis hook
with Il Union general. 1t ftucicS thai
the people Of the North will prove to be
gudgeons. Wade Hampton and John
Kelley, the ''solid South and Tammany
Hall have hold Of the rod Ii they land
the fish, thCy vii! possess and they will
own it.
Bnt, gentlemen, do not deludc your
selves. Iou will not catch the fish. The
day has not yet come for rebels and rebel
succeed, because you do not deserve sue
cess.