Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-15
2zilp 4tn,rebtf 5unrnal.
Augusta. Wednesday Morning, Nov Is.
The Future.

not be changed. Speculation, fault-finding.
elimination and recriminatiOn will not
alter the result. Intelligent men know
this, and leaving the dead past, except as
its lessons may serve for future guidance,
turn their attention to coming events.
The first thought of course is the har-
monizing and unifying Of the republican
party. Can it be done, it is asked, after
the rent in the organization which gave
the democrats their recent victories? We
hear it said that this is an impossibility,
that the feeling aroused between different,
factions cannot be controlled, and that re-
venge will be the paramount motive ac-
tuating them 1t is rumored that Pres
ident Arthur will use the power of his
great office to strike down republicans in
New York, Pennsylvania and other States,
where they revolted against nominations
and usages to which theyswere strenuous
" opposed, and thus cast his influence
against a reunion of the republicans in
those States. If President Arthur should
pursue this course he might re-
tard reconciliation and union among
republicans. but it is by no means
certain that he could prevent such con-
summation. Andrew johnson failed TO
carry out his scheme OF dividing the re-
publican party and passing the govern
ment over to the democrats. The repub
rfu nd ar n
Mr.. johnson. though he welded the
power of President Of the United States,
and in the struggle he was beaten and the
party lived and thrived upon his ruin.
But we do not yet believe that Presi-
dent Arthur will be so unwise as it is re-
ported he will be. Whom will he punish
il he cuts off heads here and there in re-
veDge for the overthrow of the stalwart
ticket in New York and Pennsylvania?
When Canute undertook to measure his
authority against the might of the ocean.
he did not stay the increasing waves, and,
like wise king. when he saw his mis-
take, rebuked lis flatterers who told him
that the ocean would turn back at his
command, and then wisely retreated from
the unequal contest. President Arthur
may cut off official heads. but he cannot
by this punish the host of republicans in
New York who struck for home rule and
the right of every republican to a voice or
representation in the caucuses and conven-
tons Of the party. His quarrel.
II he has any. will be with the
masses behind the decaptated officers.
and it needs no prophet to tell who would
be beaten in such an encounter. We
think and hope President Arthur will take
this view of the situation, and disappoint
those who are urging him to retalatory
measures. Those who advise him thus
are his worst enemies. His wisest course
will be to accept the inevitable. endure
what cannot be cured, and gracefully
yield to the voice of public sentiment
in the republican party in favor of judi
cious reform in its management. We ap-
preciate the unpleasant predicament of
the President. but the best way out is TO
seek the reconciliation and unity Of the
republican party, and this we trust he will
aim for.
We do not therefore takc any despond-
ing view of the future of the republican
party. We believe it will be united in
1884 solidly against the democratic party.
It's mistakes will be corrected. its princ-
pies will be strengthened in the hearts of
all republicans in the two years that will
pass before the next Presidential election.
and discord and faction will be silent
within its well-ordered ranks.
The democracy have been treated to
many volumes of lectures from their or
gans recently about the necessity Of good
behavior among themselves as a requisite
to success in 1884. There is great need
of such lectures. The party is indeed
pied. dangerous. composed of the
worst elements that exist in this country.
1t has been disciplined under more than
twenty years of continuous defeat, and
still it is the same old democratic party
that. cried peace peace! when rebellion
was threatening the government and the
Union with destruction. Already the signs
of a contest within its ranks are apparent,
Protectionists and free traders are prepar-
ing for fierce struggle over the Speak
ershp OF the next national House of Rep
resentatives When this has been settled
the money question will come up to agitate
and vex the soft money democrats and
hard money democrats. Then will appear
the subject of civil service reform, with its
sharp antagonism to one of the oldest and
dearest principles Of the party. tersely
stated in the words, Ito the victors belong
the spoils.'' So through all subjects of
importance to be passed upon by Congress
the democrats are divided. and hopelessly
so, while republicans are generally united
Tammany and anti-Tammany divide the
democratic camp. the personal following
of each being deadly hostile to the other.
With such elements rs these there can be
no unity in the democratic party, while in
Al ->r,,hl;,ar ,>orfv thar, ia NO .1fvisicp