Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-06-11
The Political Situation.

cal Situation"
The speaker began with statement that
the Democratic party, after twenty-four
years of defeat, was in power, situation
which the Republicans accept with serenity
even if it was the result of crime upon suf-
frage and even if there is nothing in its
record for thirty wears which entities it to
confidence. This led Judge Thayer to ex-
press the hope that some Democrat would
give his time to writing a history of his
party and also defence which would serve
as an antidote to all the books from "Uncle
Toms Cabin" to Blaine's Twenty Years in
Congress" The speaker then proceeded as
follows:
While waiting patiently for this history
must continue to assert that the Democratic
party has done nothing to make it worth, of
confidence. and everything that should cause
II 10 be distrusted; and yet it has just
achieved a great national victory-by .io-
lence and intimidation in the South, it is
true, but still the victory is won, and the
yictors have peacefully entered into the
fruits thereof. This settles the question of
the life and vitality of that party. Neither
Se nor cur children can reasonably hope to
see the end of it. II has survived, such is
the power Of an historic name, completely
with treason and rebellion, and will con-
iInue to survive in spite OF all our efforts.
And why should il not OF what earthly
use would 1t be to change the name, while
/ the old ideas are still entertained by millions
/ OF voters An attempt was made TO form
/ two new national parties. The time seemed
I opportune. There was widespread revolt
/ against both Of the leading candidates, and
thousands of influential, conscientious men
+ were reluctant TO vote for either of them.
I There were also powerful organizations Of
I laborng men. who, smitten with the spirit
/ Of unrest. sought to bring the relations Of
/ capital TO labor into politics. and there were
/ Vet other sincere Christian men and women
! who, appalled, al the increase Of intempeF-
/ ance. had come 10 the benef that It's rayages
! could be stayed BY national legislation. 70
I lead the one class We had one Of the ablest
/ politicians of modern times-bold, brilliant.
! wary. man of wonderful magnetism and ar
immense personal following skilled beyond
any other man whom have ever known in
combining the elements of disaffection and
organizing the hosts of disorder. 10 lead
the other class had a man of national
reputation. .hC had been the Governor Of
great State. and VINO supported by
/ ID pcters OF DIVINITY, ministers of the Gospel
aud men of earnest CONVICTION and fiery
zeal. Surely there never was more aus
pIcIous moment to found a new party And
vet the election returns show that only 10
no0 votes were cast for the former party and
80 900 for the latter ont of total vote Of
l0oDool0 while in II entire States Butler
had only 1913 votes and s.. John 2al>.
Nor is there any evidence that the election
Of half a dozen members Of Congress
throughout the entire country was N any
way Influenced by either or both Of tbeS,
parties. These figure, ought - he cnHClu-
s.,e 10 any sane maA. The Democratic
party w.l no, dissolve. Attempt. va! be
made IN the future. a. they have been IN the
past, 10 found new parties. aud they may
sscare fcs votes more or few votes less
than a, the La; eection bat the result vii
be practically the same-lusgnlhcani, in
consequential. ridiculous.
TIE MISSION oF THE RErCHLicAN rAKTY.
\ party canno: be made to order 20 f; IS
sovereign States stretching across % par
a..e.s &c latitude aal 90 merld.Ans Of .oayl-
tIle. ! DO not stop 10 discuss with any one
Who, from the history of the growth Of he
+ Republican party, attempts % draw an ar
Eument in favor Of the probable @! possible
{ N-t-tNs Pt I4t" llitAtt' 4SA- At4t tlia4s At-'
can trace any analogy between the uprising
Of Ii. grea, parry OF freedom and Tie growth
Of a party based upon any temporary, frAS-
meatary issue which Ia, arisen, or !, likely
( 10 arise, TIA, a mind far too metaphysical. aud
sfaIJwy for any controversy vita me.
Nothing bu; the presence Of d ncw and
/ oNer,aaiow.ng issue can create any real de-
/ manl :Os new party and i = next to in
possible tia. such an issue should arise 50
much for the Democrat, party, the Labor
( party. and Prohibition party; now what Of
+ Tie Republican party
read that an educated man, professor
/ ia one Of our co.eges-heaNen help the
students who are obliged TO listen 70 his IL
slruc,i5ns-says That tie 'iostulls hear, the
4 death rattle in the throat OF the kepub.lcan
patty. know not whether he : correctly
reported, but If he is, | wonder if here is
! another nie.ngent educated man throughou.
/ the Northern States who really synpath.1e>
with him in ,hI, joy wonder II any sane
man who has stake IN the great republic
could sincerely rejoice to see the great his
/ tore party which has accomplished more FOL
! Justice and humanity than any other party
which ever existed under tue sun. bini;ed
/ out at once and forever | wonder i any
.5yer Of his kind throughout the wide world
would Sleep more quietly, would have trmer
conf !euce IN the Ultimate triumph OF the
rlsht, would indulge Ia greater hope for the
oppressed and down-troilen millions Of
earth, or would feel greater courage 10 fight
against oppression and injustice. after stand
lag beside the grave Of the only great po-
ilical party that ever attempted TO establish
exact and eqli- justice among men. Per
laps there are such men. Perhaps the co.
ll>sll dy>peptc OF Cheyne Row. ii alive,
would rejoice at the seeming triumph Of
HAT gospel Of 2hyslc4, and intellectual force
which he preached in his misauihropic and
bilious wrath, and which h. practiced upon
MS cultured end suffering wife. and because
Of which. after her death, he disturbed the
quiet Of the civilized world with his shrieks
IL bitter and unavaillng remorse. Perhaps.
! say. be would rejoice, and would JOIN our
professor IN a savage howl Of delight. Doubt
less there many others who would unite
in the chorus. ! only wondered il there
were, because | am utterly unable to com
prehend the state Of mind involved in such
rejoicing. But they viii not be gratifed.
We are not quite ready for the reign Of
Cpsarism or brute force. We still have
some lingering belief in the capacity Of the
/ people ioT >en-goVefnment- Inc SHRINE OF
our devotion is at Concord, and not a;
Craisenputtock. The professors diagnosis
is entirely incorrect There is no death
rattle at all save TO an Imagination crazed
by the free trade doctrines supposed 10 be
taught by the pseudo-science called political
econo ny,-doctriues which if enacted into
law, would bring financial ruin into ma
jority of the comfortable and happy homes
Of New England. No. the Republican par
y will not give up the ghost at the bidding
Of any possible con. bination of free trade,
reputation, tissue ballots and shot guns.
| must be pardoned fer manifestng some
little feeling in this matter. | certainly
have no personal animosity to CRAFTY. but
it is time for somebody to speak out in
meeting. Grover Cleveland, despite present
indications, may make good President.
! sincerely hope that he will but he was
elected by crime against the ballot by a
; suppression, through intimidation and vio-
5 lence, of the real sentiment of the people in
f several States and that is precisely the
state of things which cannot permanently
continue without destroying this Govern
ment. The right of every man to cast one
! vote and have that vote counted" is element
L n: