The Somerset reporter., 1885-03-04
Newspaper. Decisions,
Change of Administration

Change Of ADMINISTRATION
After twenty four years of administrs-
ton Of the National government, the ke-
publican party retires to-day upon the In
auRuration Of President Cleveland and the
Democratic party assumes control of the
affairs Of this vas; Na:.3a
When Abraham Lincoln took the oath OF
office twenty -four years ago to-day, porten'-
QUE clouds Of inky blackuess spread over
the sky from zenith to horizon upon all
sides. Those were, If not the darkest, AZ
least among the darkest and most dis.
couraging days that ever were experienced
by this nation. A divided country; dis
organized and denoral;zed army; navy
scattered to every possible point where it
could be done to be of the least aid to the
government; the arms and munitions OF
war placed where they would most readily
fall into the hands Of the rebels; q bank
rupt treasury, and the most formidable re
bellion Of modern times, were items 10 the
bequest OF the last Democratic admins
tration to the first Republican administrs-
ton. II these were not discsuraging con-
ditions for new party to take control OF
the affairs OF the Nation upder, where could
We look for adverse circumstances! 1t
will be remembered that President-elect
Lincoln was actually Obliged TO proceed to
Washington In disguise In order to escape
assassination.
This lamentable state of affairs culminat-
ed at this time because the Democratic
party had been defeated and the admins.
tration was to pass out OF its hanos.
The intelligent people Of this country
need not be told of the success of the Re-
publican party during all these years 1t
is only necessary to recall few of its
many achievements.
The administration raised great army
and equipped 1t, supported aud paid 1t.
created . navy supported and paid that,
and with these successfully prosecuted
four years war and conquered the most
stubborn, plucky and enterprisiug set Of
rebels that ever attempted 10 overthrow a
government; allowed the rebellious states
to come back into the Union on terms the
most magnanimous ever offered by any ma
ton to rebelious states; cmancipated and
enfrancbised four million bondsmen; re-
constructed the states upon q basis par
ticularly favorable to them and that would
bs just to all concerned but for tie system
of bull-dozing, and returning Of votes
whereby the blacks are practically deprived
of rights Of franchise, and still the old
slave states gets the benefit OF increased
representation In Congress and 10 the Elec-
toral College by reason Of their admis-
sion a. citizens; raised the financial credit
and standing of the Nation, from six per
cent bond at 10 per cent discount to 8 per
cent bond at par, aud at the came time,
gave the people the best system o. Ma
tional banking thai Las ever been practiced
In any country; reduced the war debt nine
hundred million dollars or about one-thrd
Of the entire amount; made payment OF
from 20 to 66 million dollars per year pen
sions TO soldiers; and there has been an
increase Of actual valuation Of property of
more than $50 per cent since 1860, and 10
population Of nearly 10 millions.
During the twenty-four years all import
ant measures ofthe administration have been
opposed by the Democratic party. We do
not say they have been antagonized by ev.
cry Democrat but the party organization
has fought them all. The many war meas
ures; the emancipation OF the blacks; the
reconstruction measures; the constitutions
al amendments; resumption Of specie pay
meuts ETC., and 1t is not injustice to say
that the party as party has been an Oh
s,ractionist all the way along although
there have been Individual members that
have not been such, and during the war,
thousands of Individual Democrats fought
Tor the Union and in some states one wing
of the party united with Republicans 10
sustaining the Government 10 the trying
ordeal through which it was passing.
Therefore we say in political sense the
credit Of the successful administration OF
affairs belongs to the Republican party and
fortunate will it be for the people of the
United States II the incoming administra
tiop, with immensely better opportunity,
makes anything nearly as good record.
We trust Republicans will not make cap
tious opposition to any good measures iD-
augursted by the administration, AS Demo-
Gratis, as rule have heretofore done. 1t
Ia the part Of wise craftsmanship to sup
port every good measure. The success of
such, the good of the people and OF the
vast business interests OF the Nation are
OF innuitely greater Importance than that
of party victories, a4d any administration
is entitled to fair support in every honest
effort to this end.
Sergeant Dennis Kelly was brought be-
fore Judge Webb of the United States
Court and sentenced TO 10 months impris-
oDment 10 Portland jail, and one dollar
fne, for unlswfully shooting F. A. Smith,
Of Charlestown, Mass, q Harvard student,
1t Fort Pophsm, July 10Th 1882, of which
Smith died August 18th following.
The Haytien Republic, An elegant pas
eeneer and freight steamer, has just been