The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-06-24
History Repeating Itself.

In 1850 the rule or ruin policy of Stephen
A. Douglass caused the division ofthc Demo.
cratic party into two irrcconcilable factions,
and the result was defeat, although the party
embraced large majority of the voters of
the country and had governed almost unin-
terruptedly for seventy years.
After long lease of power the Republi-
can party finds itself to-day in more des-
perate condition than the Democratic party
III 1860. The latter had distinctive princi-
plies, which though overwhelmed In the surg
ing tide of civil war were bound to reassert
themselves as they have done, until now at
least one-half of the voters of the country
profess their belief in Democratic doctrines.
The Republican party, on the other hand,
has lived to see the supremacy of the only
vital features that made it strong, namely,
abolition of slavery and the restoration of the
Union. 1t is not strange, therefore, to see it
falling to pieces in a quarrel over the spoils
of Office. Its power began TO wanc when
Mr.. Hayes was fraudulently counted in as
President by On unconstitutional Electoral
Commission, formed to avoid the dreadful
alternative of civil war. His defeat was ac-
knowledged the day after the election by
himself and believed by thousands of Repub-
lcans who had not the courage to utter their
convictions. Since Mr.. Hayes retirement to
private life corner of the veil covering his
administration has been lifted, and the Amer
loan nnnnlo Of, aI NJ -, l.
administration degree of corruption which
makes the bold, unblushing rascality of Gen
eral Grants last term seem trifling by COM
parison. Star mail route frauds, robbery of
the Treasury, the rewarding with office every
rogue who assisted in hlsifying election re-
turns in Hayes interest, are some of the I'M
savory features of an ADMINISTRATION which its
friends were never weary of praising' as
pure and model one. These things of them
selves should be sufficient to make the people
seek change.
Next came the election of Garfield Out
wardly it was fair, but the office holders
know to their sorrow the extent to which
they were forced to contribute of their sala-
ries to supply funds to carry doubtful States.
The Star route contractors could also unfold
tale, if they were so inclined, of large
amounts contributed by them for the same
purpose. All this money would have been
spent in vain, however, but for the active
assistance of General Grant, Senator Conk.
ling and the Stalwart Republicans who had
organized within the party powerful faction
devoted to securing third term for Grant,
Naturally after the election these men de-
mandcd recognition for their services in
Garficld's behalf Perhaps they asked too
much, hut il is certain that they received no
thing, and no attempt seems to have been
made to conciliate them. The result
is open warfare between the ConLling
and the Garfeld.3ane wings of the
party. No neutral ground is left upon
which they can stand. The success of either
in the contest over the Scnatorship Mt Albany
will not reunite them, for there is no
underlying principle which will form COM
mon bond of union. IIenccforlh we NAV
expect to see the Republican party divided
into hostile camps In this condition of
things the Democratic party, if united and
harmonious, will again control the country
and provide government Of the people and
for the people.