Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-08-17
POLITICAL LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., July %, 1854

Republican Congressional Committee In
this city convinces me that II We are not
successful In the coming contest, 1t VIII
not be because the Republicans fall to
appreciate the responsibility resting upon
them. nor that they are not alive TO the
necessity for individual effort and active
cooperation.
Reports coming from all sections Of the
country show a condition OF health anu
activity in the party, unanimity OF senti-
ment in favor of Garfield and Arthur, and
an increased interest in the campaign, now
fairly commenced, which at this early day
Is certainly encouraging.
The dissensions consequent upon the
spirited contest for the nomination OF
favorite candidates, have died out, and
Republicans in all sections have joined
hands and gone TO work with determine
tion TO win.
In General Garfield we have soldier,
statesman and consistent Christian gen.
tleman; one OF the ablest and purest men
in this country today, and from present
indications his name, with what Is behind
II, will give such enthusiasm to the cam
paigu rs TO place his election far beyond
the necessity for an electoral commits
sion; while on the other hand the distin-
guished general and the esteemed gentle
man. Gen. Hancock, is but the puppet put
to the front by the Democracy to divert
attention from its past record, its present
aims and It's future purposes; but the
already decreasing interest in his behalf
shows that the people are not deceived by
such mockery.
Ambition has led other and abler men to
occupy that position in the past, and 1t Is
to be regretted that their fate was not a
sufficient warning to Genl Hancock to
have prevented his forfeiting the high
place he has held in the esteem OF all true
Americans.
| congratulate you on the first gun in the
campaign fired at Paris by uniariing TO the
breeze the glorious old flag for Garfield
and Arthur and appointing committee for
the organization Of Garfield and Arthur
Club As shown by your paper received yes
terlay. | congratulate you also on the
election OF such men ~ the one named from
the tirst district a member of that COM
mi,tee. The man who. while still suffer
ing In y Baltimore Hospital nom his I'M
healed wounds made by rebel bullets 1T
Gettysburg, insisted upon being sent to
the front for duty. II shows that the
firing ofthat gun was not simply to make
a noise. but that It's report should reach
every republican, every man who risked
his life for his country in the late war, and
every man who has the best interests oil
his government al heart In the town oil
Paris, summoning him 10 active service II
this campaign, which is worthy the best
effort Of every true man.
notice with great satisfaction the re-
nomination of Hon. VIM. p. Frye by &C
clamation. II is deserved compliment &c
him and an honor 10 the district which hs
has so ably and faithfully represented fol
the past ten years. His Straightforward
manly course has ever commanded the re
spect OF the democrats in Congress as vel
As the esteem OF his republican associates
and by his ability, earnestness and untirins
devotion 10 the interests OF his people and
the country, he has attained name o.
which his district may Justly feel proud
Secretary Schurz opened the campaign
in Indiana in very able speech at Indi
annapolis on the 20 inst, in which he tool
occasion To say that he disagreed with
those who speak of the present as thu
greatest crisis in the history Of American
affairs" He may be right in his view:
on the subject, but in my judgment Il
is second only 10 that presented in lS6l
and although brought about in differ
ent way, the success of the Lost Cause
this Fall through the election OF Hancock
and English and the retaining control o.
both branches of Congress, would as eff
fectually destroy our government a.
though it had triumphed In the rebellion
OF ls6l-5.
The sentiments OF the "Solid South, a:
recently expressed by Jen Davis, Bradle,
T. johnson and others, warn US that TIT
Rebellion is mot dead but sleepeth," ant
the same Solid South" would rule q:
completely in the event OF Democratic
success as 1t did in ante-bellum days, anC
would manage affairs 10 its own entire sat
isfaction, the result OF which can be ex
pressed in one word-Ruin.
How long would il take them 10 e1haus
the national resources and credit, when IL
single Congress, while they had contro
| OF the House OF Representatives only, thes'
Representatives OF the "Solid South" OF
fered and urged for passage bills for allow
ing rebel claims aggregsting about two
and half millions OF dollars? And will
the restraining influence OF Republican
Senate and Executive removed, Is IL no
| fair 10 presume that they would, as hai
already been minated should be done
place the Rebel soldier on an equal footins
with the Federal soldier, as to the paymen
OF bounty, pensions, &C., &C.! That ever,
State in the ''Solid South" would have IL
war claim, and every rebel his claim fo
damages, and perhaps the loss OF his slaves
in other words, bounty for traitors ant
reward for treason, followed by the bank
ruptcy and dishonor OF our government
| Comrades. are we ready for such change