The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-15
Mr.. Dezendorf,s Letter.


straight-out Republicans views of the stu
alton in that State, and Southern Republi
cans views of the proper policy of the Ma
tional Republican party. For these reasons
we publish it, since it it is quite necessary
that Northern Republicans should obtain as
correct notion as possible of the attitude
of that portion Of the party which has to
contend in the Southern States with the
Bourbon Democratic hosts under circum-
stances of peculiar hardship and discourage
ment.
There are two or three points in his letter
which are worthy of particular considera-.
ton, and the first is his statement about the
general good order prevailing in the election.
Mr.. Dezendorf acquits the Democratic party
of intimidation and bulldozing in the last
campaign, and charges that such race troub-
les as occurred were provoked by the course
of Senator Malone and his friends. 1t is
plain that he hates Senator Malone quite as
much as he does the Democrats. He may
have good reason for his personal rancor,
but il does not tend to make his assertions
about that gentleman more credible. We do
not believe there is any excuse in what Ma
homes friend had said in speech at Dan
vile for the shooting down of several ne
groes who were Mahone's supporters, and
we cannot think we'll of Mr.. Dezendorf's APP
parent willingness to excuse that crime Is
does not tend to confidence in his soundness
of judgment. We dislike Malone and are
not sorry that he is defeated. He is not
such a leader as we wish to see the Republi-
party in alliance with; but we are not apol-
ogists for killing bis misguided supporters
When he comes to speak of the cause Of
the defeat of the boss of the Readjusters,
Mr.. Dezendorf writes with more reason.
The boss could not hold his party together
because he carried his dictatorship to such
lengths that his followers revolted. That is
the constant tendency of the boss system.
1t centralizes power TO degree that self
respecting men will not submit to- That
was the secret of the downfall of Mr.. Conk-
ling when the crises of his fate came. He
had tyranized so haughtily and absolutely
that large part of the Republicans whom
without question were glad of a chance to
regain their liberty of thought and action
Butler is in similar plight to-day. Thou
sands who before the election were unwil-
ling to raise their voice against him are quite
satisfied that be is down and they will not
be in haste to help him to power again. Mr..
Dezendorf's reiterated phrase s'too much
Mahone,' might be generalized without los
ing force or truth. Too mach boss is what
has brought many an ambitious politician to
humiliation. The American people do not
like to have their political leaders assume a
prerogative to command. They would rath-
or be free than serve tyrant, even when he
seeks the end they desire.
What the Virginian says about the policy
of the Republican party in the South is emil
nently sensible There must not be two Re
publican parties, one for the North, and one
for the South, The National Republican
party must have consistent policy in all
parts of the country, and those who belong
to 1t must have common faith A creed SO
elastic that it condemnes reputation in one
section and fellowships regulators in an
other, will not answer. It would not be
worth contending for, much less making any
sacrifices for. 1t may suit the aims of men
!. who care more for power than for princi-
ples, more for offices than for duties, to IA
yer any sort of coalition that will temporari-
ly increase the vote counted for Republican
candidates, or decrease the vote counted for
Democratic candidates; but such playing
fast and loose, yoking ambition to insinceri-
ty, makes any success disappointing and
tends to destruction.
President Arthur's attempt to build
up Republican party in Virginia out
of regulators has turned out rather
more unfortunately than President Hayes's
attempt to build up Southern Repub-
lican party out of old Wings. OF the
two the first experiment was the most reas-
enable and most reputable. 1t may as well
be taken for granted now that the only Re-
publican party which will amount to any
thing must be composed of men who are
neither ashamed nor afraid to be known as
Republicans, standing on the platform of
the National Republican party, carrying its
flag, adopting its principles, using its. argu-
ments, and following its leaders, SO far as
they are faithful to the lofty and patriotic
motives which inspire the great body of its
voters. And the Republican party has this
advantage oyer its opponent that its voters
understand better how to depose and render
harmless unfaithful leaders, and they do it
more promptly.