Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-01-10

The Spring Elections.

The municipal elections which win take
place in this State next Spring ere of 70
great importance that We deem them
worthy of the earliest and most special
attention Of republicans. With the State
and National elections to occur this year
they have intimate and vital relations. 1t
cannot be said now, - Is sometimes the
case, that they have nothing to do with
State and National politics, tor they are
the initial movement. the opening guns.
the first struggle Of the great campaign to
be fought this year, which will decide the
character Of the national government for
the ensuing four years.
II il OF the greatest importance. in politi-
cal - well a. military struggles upon
which the fate of nations depends. that
there be perfect organization. and that its
spirit, unity. cohesiveness. strength and
efficiency be always preserved. In this
way only can disaster be prevented and
success assured. New suppose that the
republicans Of Maine begin the campaigns
Of 1884 by allowing the Spring elections
to go by default. either on account
Of carelessness, dissatisfaction with town
or city officers. or any matter Of a trivial
nature, what condition will they be In for
the State election in September
Their unity. strength and spirit will be
broken. The men who fall out OF the
ranks at the Spring elections, or fail OF
doing their duty then A. republicans. will
not return cordially to their places In Sep
tember. Leading republicans. who advise
mutiny in the spring-if there shall Be
any sucb-though they may be ardent
themselves in support Of the republican
State and National tickets. will have the
modification Of learning that those whom
they counseled In the Spring election to
give aid and comfort TO the enemy. have
gone entirely over to the opposition.
or are FULLY determined to go there,
and are entirely beyond the in
Auence Of good though late advice.
The poisonous work done In the Spring
cannot be eradicated. The labor. difficult
ty and doubt Of the grand campaign are
enhanced and the cause and ticket are ire
trievably and fatally damaged.
But besides these considerations Is the
question of the control Of the voting lists
and ballot boxes. These pass into the
hands Of tho party which has the majority
In town or city government. They may
bc used fairly or for fraudulent purpose.
They may be employed so rs to defeat
the will Of the majority and bring in q
fraudulent minority. Judging the demo-
cratic party by its past record. it has no
scruples about using the voting lists or
the ballot-boxes to accomplish by fraud
the election Of democratic officers. In
this State. where we have seen that party
endorse the frauds attempted by ex-Gov.
Garcelon and his Council. In the infamous
count-out of 1880. there ought TO be no
necessity for warning against the dishon-
est practices of the democracy IN elections.
or exhorting republicans to vigilance in
protecting the voting lists and bollot boxes
from becoming the instruments of fraud
In their hands. The Spring elections de-
eide who shall have the voting lists and
ballot boxes in charge. II the democrats
should succeed in carrying towns and
cities which they have not hitherto con-
trolled. there will follow such frauds upon
the franchise as all honest men will de-
plore. and perhaps the turning Of rcpub-
lican victory--if fair vote and count
could be had-into defeat for the republ-
cans and fraudulent democratic success
Against such calamity as this it is the
duty Of republicans to contend with all
their might The ballot box must be pro-
tected from fraud at all hazards. and the
place to make the most effective stroke in
that direction is at the Spring elections.
The democrats have already mapped
out their campaign for this year. There
are certain cities and towns in the State,
which are usually republican. tha. they
propose to carry II possible in the Spring.
No effort will DO spared to accomplish
their plans. Dissatisfaction among repub-
licans will be encouraged. Offices will
be promised. batteries will be profuse.
Politics will be given the go-by until after
election. Non psrtixAn tickets. or .'cit-
liens tickets" will be mainly relied upon
10 catch the simple and unwary. No de-
vice, that promises to be available. will
Be neglected. In the city of Augusta and
In other of our Kennebec cities and towns
these tactics are to be tried.
Torewarned is TO be foresrmed. 1t is
time republicans were stirring everywhere.
looking out for and circumventing the
schemes Of the enemy. With vigilance.
activity aud perseverance we shall hold
every fortress that will be asssiled. and
come through the Syringe. contests in good
order for the fight in September.
Pull for the shore.
Let Us pull out of this sea Of sickness and