The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-03-15

We were told before the recent election in
Portland that the Democrats of that city were
demoraized and the nomination of Neal Dow
for mayor, after failure to agree upon a cand;-
date of their own, was ample confirmation of
the report, which the election returns further
substantiated. The city elections of March
9TH and 18th indicate that this condition pre-
walls generally among the Democrats. They
have carried but one city, Biddeford, and that
one by reduced majority. and Republican
Mayors have been elected to succeed Democrats
in Lewiston and Ellsworth. The aggregate
Republican gains in the various cities are large.
In Rockland not a solitary Democrat was elect
ed from Mayor down to wardens and war;!
clerks. OF this surprising result the Rockand
Free Press says. and its remarks NAV be applied
generally:
The disposition for its old-fashioned fights
except within its own ranks, seems to have
been completely washed out of the Democratic
party, by its tine-servng. devious policy and
lack of any well-grounded principle Making
fellowship with Greelyism, Greenbackism. la
Dor and communistic agitatorS. Henry George
ism, and humbugging pretenders of civl-Ser-
vice reforms, as well As occupying the position
of hostility to policy of protection to home
industries, has done its perfect and legitimate
work at last, and left the Democratic party
throughout the State in thoroughly Disguised
and discouraged condition. These elections in
the last year of Cleveland's administration, and
While 1t is laying its plans and organizing for :,
second term, manifest the fact beyond ques-
ton that the Presidents party. lii so far a. the
state OF Maine Is concerned, has wholly lost
sympathy with him. and does not care a straw
for his continuation in office. His appoint
ments have generally been of an inferior
character. his pretence of civil service re-
form has been exposed As the shallowest by :
procrisy, resulting in the most inefficient
public service offered for thirty years. The
entire work of the administration has been
notably hostile to the interests of New
England. The wishes of Congress to promote
our commercial interests. by encouraging the
ocean mail service. have been boldly disregard.
| ed and thwarted by a refusal to use subsidies
specially provided; policy relating to the fish.
cries has been pursued apparently witha secret
purpose to promote the welfare of the British
Dominons rather than our own: and to crown
the monument of folly. whatever power the
President. his cabinet and his Muswump fol.
lowing have possessed has been eNerted to place
the products of our agriculturStS. mechanics
laboreTs and mills i'll almost Unrestricted com
petition with foreign labor and capital. as we
find this purpose formulated in the Mills tariff
bill. which takes the protective duties off oul
hay, potatoes, grain. lime. wool. manufactured
| Lumber, etc, exposing our population to tn,
free competition i'll our own markets of tie
subjects of Great Britain on our northern Dor
der.
Is it matter of wonder that citizens of New
England flag in their attachment TO and support
OF such an administration! Is it not rather more
surprising that they have not turned their back
upon it before and in greater numbers. The
results in Portland. Bath. Lewiston. Gardiner
Ellsworth, are not mere accidents. but effect,
more or less due in each case to the causes to
which we have referred. The Democratic
party of Maine is in a shattered state, from
Which an early recovery is impossible.