Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-25
The Democratic Rascals.


A large part Of the slender stock in trade of
democratic organs is invested in few cheap
party cries of which one is, Turn the ras-
Gals out!' Meanwhile. every effort of the
democratic party to obtain hold upon public
confidence is defeated by the vicious perform
snces of rascals in its own ranks whom it has
not the courage and vigorto turn out Dur
ing the long period Of republican supremacy
in this country there have been from time to
time certain scandals connected with the ad
ministration of public affairs, which have
been numerically exposed and punished so
far as punishment could be meted out BY
party action. through the demand of the re-
publican party itself for reform. The able
editors Of democratic organs are compelled to
direct their attacks wholly at the rascalities
Of the past. They harp upon the Belknap
scandal Of years ago, the Boss" Shepherd
performances in Washington, the whiskey
ring frauds, the star route villainies and the
naval jobs under Robson. All of these have
been dealt with vigorously and effectually
without a change of party control. The
Augean stables have been cleansed through
the continued administration OF the republi-
can party, and these editors cannot find in
TIE present management OF aUalrs any SUD
ject for their virulent criticism. They point
out no existing rascalities and name no ras-
Gals who are now in.
Perhaps if they would turn their attention
TO their own party, as republican editors are
wont to do. they might find some rascals who
are PLAYING the very mischief with its pros
poets. If they should succeed in having
them turned out, they would do that party a
far greater service than they can possibly do
BY trying to raise false issues and false cries
against its opponents. The capacity of the
democratic party for laundering at critical
times has become political proverb in this
country. and its blunders are almost always
due to its inability or indisposition to sup
press its own rascals. The democratic party
gained great opportunity in this State last
winter. when it took possession of both the
Executive and Legislative Departments of
the Government: but its greedy office grab
bors and corrupt Legislators so far
controlled in action that it failed to
secure itself in the public confidence
The voters who enabled it to achieve
its victory Of last year were filled with dis
gust at the results. For years the efforts of
the party to gain the confidence of the people
have been compromised BY the influence in
its ceunsels Of John Kelley and the corrupt
horde that does his bidding, but there is not
virtue and vigor enough in il to cast them
out, though they threaten it with renewed
defeat.
Out In Ohio the Democratic Party was
thought to have grand opportunity before
il. Mnch stress was laid upon the moral ef-
feet to be produced BY a victory at the COM
ing election. If the party had had wit enough
to conduct its canvass on high plane and
to work together for success. there was. in
deed, q soodly prospect before it. But a
rascally element very speedily exhibited it.
self and began to make trouble. 1t began
bv making the nomination Of the principal
candidate ''cost more than it ought to-" and
il has continued its villainous tactics until
there Is no hope of his election. The rascals
have = good deal of power, and the par
ty seems to be quite unable to turn them out
In Massachusetts the democratic party has
been induced to take in very conspicuous
example of rascslity. Through q phenome.
nal combination Of circumstances he was
elected Governor of the State, and he has
done nothing since but turn the administers
ton Of its public affairs into reproach. His
performances will not only defeat the party
1t the coming election in that State but they
have helped to injure its prospects throughout
the country. But the party dare not turn the
rascal out. or il may be that il has 80 much
sympathy with his rsscality that il doesn't
wish to get rid of him. 1t remains true
nevertheless. that its support of him is an
injury to the party.
Herein is = radical difference between the
political parties of the country. The repub-
lican Party includes so many intelligent and
independent voters that when scandal and
rascality appear they insist upon purgation,
and will subject it to temporary defeats to en-
force reform. 1t has thereby been constrained
again and again to purge the public service
OF evils and abuses as they have shown them
selves, and has been forced constantly to re-
assert an elevated standard of party action to