Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-18
The Political Change.


It is nearly sixteen years since the ad
ministration of Andrew johnson closed
Since that time the democrats have haf
no taste of official power. The election
of Cleveland is therefore to them a grea
event. In consequence OF their long fas
they are very hungry tor office, so muct
80 that in some places they have already
commenced TO take possession of post-offl
ces and custom houses, and to turn thu
rightful incumbents into the streets. TIT
dulcet voice OF George William Curtis il
heard announcing that there will be M
sweeping change of office holders, anC
tina. civil service reform ideas will rule il
Cleveland's administration but Mr.. Curtis
knows better, and so do the democratic
hosts that parade the streets with brooms
-signifying a clean sweep-and that are
with difficulty restrained from marching
upon the post offices at once, instead Of
waiting decently and civily until Cleve'
land is inaugurated next March. True,
the democratic press and the mug~ump
organs have sounded vigorously and with
out ceasing. for several years. the praises
of civil service reform. but none OF their
party followers believed they were sin
cere in their professions, and will con-
sDicuously set at defiance all rules and
regulations TO restrain the qualification Of
their hunger for office.
But the most lamentable change is that
of taking the executive power of this gov
eminent from the hands OF the heroes
who fought to save the government, and
placing it in the hands of those who fought
four years to destroy it, and piled up the
mountain of debt for which the loyal peo-
pie have been heavily taxed the past TWEEN
ty years. 1t seemed incredible that such
change could be wrought. but the cleo
ton of Cleveland means just that. The
solid South will be the power behind
the throne. And how was this change eff
fected ? The South had tairty-seven cleo
toral votes added for the negroes OF that
section; by the numbering beating. terri
flying. prosecuting the negroes and depriv-
ing them OF the right to vote anything
but the democratic ticket, and by other
outrageous means, those thirty votes.
which rightfully belonged in the republi
can column with fair vote and honest
count. were carried over into the demo-
cratic column where by right and justice
they do not belong; and by this means
Cleveland gets his election, and the men
who fought the government are placed at
the helm.
In regard to the tariff present appear
ances are that there will be none.
or slight changes. The tree traders in the
next House will be less than they are in
the present. Though Mr.. Blaine is not
elected, his brilliant campaign and his
model, terse, persuasive, and convincing
speeches on the tariff told powerfully
against the free traders, causing the defeat
OF many OF their champions before the peo-
pie. The free traders will be weaker in the
next House, and as the Senate in the ne xt
Congress will have an increased republi-
can majority it will be able to resist all
attempts to unwisely reduce the tariff.
This will be relief TO the industrial in
terests of the country, though the shock
OF the election of Cleveland produces a
depression that is Sensibly felt.
The one great saving feature in the
present political situation is the fact that
the republicans have a majority in the
I Senate. will hold it two years longer at
least, and during the administration if they
! keep up their popular maiorities in the
northern States at future State elections
( This is the anchor that will hold the Ship
of State from dashing against the rock,
towards which she has perlously drifted
No rebel claims, no changes in the pen
sion laws against Union soldiers, no pay
ment of confederate bonds, can pas
the barrier that firm intrepid, sagaciou
republican Senate will present. Even il
the matter of appointments to office i
will hold a check upon the President
which will doubtless be exercised in JUS
and salutary manner.
1t was hoped and devoutly prayed b
the best people of this country that Mr.
Blaine would be called to the Presidency
His defeat is the biuerest drop in the cul
pressed to the lips of the republican par
ty at this time. But it republicans vii
accept the result as he does. manfullv
resolutelv. courageously. without murmu
or complaint, their party will rise from
this stroke stronger than ever, and tn
people at the end of four years will driv
out the representative of the SOLID South
from the White House and place in hi
stead a candidate who will represent il
the Presidency the patriotism, genius
destiny. and spirit of the American PEG
pie.
Nnn-o