The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-07-17
A Dlsgruntled Fusion Organ.

A Dlsgruntled Fusion Organ.
The Prog. Age seems to be seriously disturb
ed because the Journal reported the recent
Greenback conference in this city, while that
paper withheld it. The explanation is simple.
The Journal is a newspaper and reports all
matters of public interest, while the Age can
see nothing except through Democratic specta-
cles. 1t was hardly necessary for the Age to
refer to our files for evidence that we are OPP
posed to Greenbackism. There has never been
any room for doubt as to the Journals position
on the financial or other questions of the day.
But we have never spoken of the Greenbackers
as san Insignificant, lousy crowd" as did the
Age when they declined to follow that paper
into the Democratic party. And this is more
than unkind, it is the basest ingratitude. in
view of the fact that Greenback votes elected
the editor of the A ge to the Senate two years
ago.
Nothing the journal has said warrants the
loose talk of the Age about buying up the
Greenbackers. Had we been haunted by any
such fear as the Age intimates the result of the
recent conference would have alayed it. We
did not need the testimony of the Age that '.the
Greenbackers are not chattes for sale to the
highest bidders" but it no doubt speaks from
personal experience and in indicating those
who needed no yindication it has condemned
itself. Our report shows that Democratic
brides and bullying We're alike without effect
upon the Greenbackers. and 1.-THE worn out and
disgusting twaddle about fusion which has
filled the columns of the Age for the past year
or two has evidently proved nauseatng. In
declining TO be longer made convenience OF
by few oflice-seeking Democrats the Green
hackers of Waldo county not only asserted
their manhood but have given the best evidence
of their faith in the principles they advocate.
We do not agree with them. but we respect
them for having the courage Of their conyic-
tons.
The so-called Fusion party has been nothing
more nor less than combination in the inter
est of otfce->eekers. and utterly devoid of
policy or principles. Its ultimate aim. now
plainly seen. was to bring into the Democratic
party men to whom the principles Of that par
ty Were abhorrent in the past, and who cannot
now be in sympathy with its free trade and
free rum tendencies. The fusion game has
been played for ali it is worth and has had its
day in Maine. The State steal made It infa-
nous, and the Fusion leaders have for the most
part been relegaed to private life where they
are likely to remain.
The Age pretends to fear that the Greenback-
ers Will allow the present county officers to be
defeated for reelection simply to please the
journal" We fear it overestimates the Jour
nal's influence in this direction. but we have no
hesitation in saving that change in the county
officers would afford us great pleasure, and
this on public grounds. While the other coun-
ties. with scarcely an exception, have been re-
ducing their debts. the debt of Waldo county
was increased last year some $4,000. Certain
reforms have been urged. but the Age, as the
organ of the present officials, has defended the
system by which nearly $1,000 is annually tax
en- from the taxpayers of Waldo county, the
greater part unnecessarily, and has detied the
public sentiment which demands reform.
That the present incumbents are men of high
character is readily conceded; but they are not
the only men Of high character in W aldo coun-
ty. and we do not admit the proposition of the
Age-whch can hardly be serious-that 1.-THE
u>ages of the party entite them to re-tiection."
The Age Of course refers to the usages Of the
Democratic party. which certainly are not bind
ing upon a majority of the voters of Waldo
county.
| The Democratic Party and the Soldier.
The Democratic party in the lame stump
speech it published last week at Chicago as its
platform of principles has the unbushing cheek
| 20 call attention to its friendship for the Union
soldier. It's insncerity in this alusion may be
readily seen by Il review of its action during
the closing days of the recent session of Con-
gress upon the Mexican Pension Bill. This
bill pen>ioning surviving soldiers of the MeXi-
can wara large majority of whom are ex-
rebels-pasSed the House with nearly the I'M
animOus vote of the Democratic members. The
Senate passed the bin and sent it back to the
House with the following amendments to ben
eft Union soldiers, their widows. orphans and
dependent parentsi
1>t. Giving pension to everyone who SER
we'd three months in the Army or Navy who
gross carcessnes> or wrong doing and who is
dependent upon his own labor for support, the
highest rate being Sa4 per month.
ID. Giving to all widows or minor children
Of soldiers and sailors who died in the late war
SD, instead OF IS per month.
Sd. Giving to the widow and minor children
of every pensioner after his death, an original
| wit tn hot
the pensioner died from disease contracted in
the military service of the L. S. and giving
them ST. per month, where under existing
laws they would be entitled to but SIS per
month.
4th, Continuing without limit as to age,
pension granted to widows on account of min
or children. whenever it shall appear that such
minors are of unsound mind or physically
helpless. And in the same manner continuing
pensions to the minor children themselves
whenever the mother dies, remarres, or aban-
don> them.
5lh, Making it necessary for dependent
parents to show only the cause of the soldiers
death. that he left no widow or minor children,
that the parents have no present means of sup
port except their own labor or the contribution
of friends. and repeating the law requiring
them to show that they were dependent upon
the soldier for support at the time Of his death
and giving them ST. instead of s. per month.
9th. Making the regular enlistment of the
soldier into the Army or Navy OF the [. S.
prima fAcie evidence of his soundness when he
entered ihe service, and not requiring him to
prove that fact As the law now does
When the Bill was returned to the House
with these wholesome provisions for the bene-
fit of the Union soldiers, and their widows.
orphans and dependent parents, it was there
opposed by the united Democracy 1t was in
vain that the Republicans urged that the pro-
visions of the bill pensoning soldiers Of the
Mexican War had not been changed, and that
these amendments We're but acts of Justice to
the Union soldiers The Democrats preferred
rather to lose the original bill than that these
amendments should become laws. They fill
bu>tered against it, fought it, and finally defeat
edit. That the Democratic party with the fore
going AS the record of their last achievements
during the expiring days of Congress should
claim friendship for the Union soldier is a fair
speciman of IFS insincerity and its estimate of
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