The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-26
From the Portland Advertiser.
Talk to a, NeiUhbOr.

Fourteen wears ago, when Grant was nrst
nominated for the Presidency, the oouthern
States were not represented IN the nationa a
Congress, our paper currency was worm loss
than IS cents on the dollar, no enort nsu ooe %.
made to reduce the medley of war taxes TO an
equitable system, and the political machlne
was everywhere in full operation. AT tnat
time, the Portland Advertiser announced tne
political principles by which it would be gulo-
ed
General amnesty.
2-Specie payments.
3-Revenue REFORM
4-Civil service reform.
To these principles we have adhered and
propose to adhere, whithersoever they may
lead. We have seen the first and second ADOPT.
ed as the national policy, and the third and
fourth are certain to be adopted IN their turn,
because they are supported by Justice and
sound reason, which in the long run are sure
to prevail.
Party organization is properly a means to an
end. When it becomes an end in Itself, IL de-
generates into a political machine The Ad-
yertiser has never professed to be the organ or
representative of any company, association or
organization of men engaged In the trade OF
politics. Such an organization is in its nature
a private enterprise ia which the public can
have no concern. So long as it supports prln-
ciples in which the people are interested the
enterprise succeeds; when it ceases to repre-
sent such principles, it fails In either case,
the principles alone deserve consideration.
This is undoubtedly the conviction OF the great
body of Republican voters in Maine as In 9TH
OF States. 1t is the force of this conviction
which has broken the power OF Mr. Conkling
in New York, and of Mr.. Cameron in Penn
sylvania, and has reduced the Republican ma
jority in Maine from %, 900 to zero. 1t was the
force of this conviction which during Presi-
dent Grants second administration breke down
the Republican majorities in Congress, first in
the House and then in the Senate, and left the
Presidential election Of 1876 in doubt. 1t was
the force of this conviction which restored the
Republican majorities in Congress during the
administration Of President Hayes and elected
Garfield in 1850. And if the methods OF Grants
administration are to be pursued by Arthur,
effect will follow cause in undertaking success
ion.
The Advertiser has hitherto been in accord
with the general purposes OF the Republican
party When the national conventions Of
1872, 1876 and 1880 defined more and more
clearly aud emphatically the true principles on
which appointments to the civil service should
be regulated, the Advertiser applauded. Now
that those principles are embodied in the bill
offered by Senator Pendleton, the Adver tiser
fayors that bill. But we notice with regret
that this subject is not mentioned in the reso-
buttons of the late Portland convention. When
that magnificent convention of 1878 assembled
in Portland, the party managers were anxious
to avoid the currency question; but the con-
yention was willing to suffer defeat rather than
to stife its convictions, and the Advertiser was
proud to be enrolled in such party. We adj
here also to the straightforward resolutions
touching the currency adopted by the last State
convention. If the currency question is the
main question, the Advertiser is still a Repub-
lican journal.
But the Advertiser cannot point with
PRIDE to President Arthur's alliance with the
Readjusters in Virginia; or to his surrender Of
the patronage of Pennsylvania to Senator Cam
eron; or to the levy of black mail upon public
servants everywhere by the Republican Con.
gressional committee. We agree with the Bos
ton Advertiser, that 'if the Republican party
which formerly had no trouble in getting votes
honestly, is obliged to offer cash terms fol
States and individuals, land the assessment
looks like tit is time it made an assignment
and retired from business" II that be treason
make the most of it.