Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-12

publican family, one and all, Will be
| fighters and rooters after the
Chicago convention. They are doing
cage work now, in Aroostook and
other northern sections where winter
tclings to the lap of spring like a hun
gry babe to its mother. But you'll
| find these same 'Roostoekers and 9TH
ers trained veterans who have smelled
powder when September arrives.
Our friends the enemy are speculat-
| ing on "how the Taft wing will take
philosophieally and pleasantly so far
as it is possible to estimate. 1t
seems not half so bad as the mutual
enemy appears to think Democracy
apparently measures the Roosevelt
and Taft difference by its own fear of
either branch.
1t was much more difficult to dis
tinguish between Rooseveltians and
Taftonians on the way home from
Bangor than on the way over. The
aggressiveness and assertiveness had
vanished; all were Republicans and
felt that Maine must be looked after
first, and that no factional differences
OF jealousies could be INDUCED.
All were proud of the Platform;
every man gloried in the revelation OF
newly awakened and thoroughly
aroused Republican enthusiasm. The
Bangor showing was an eye opener to
both parties. There is no getting
away from the spontaneity with which
Republicans responded to party duty
as pointed by public necessity. They
were there and for purpose.
A Democratic exchange discussing
the Republican platform says:
1T goes on record as declaring itself
opposed to any change in the present
system of dealing with the liquor
traffic. 1t demands the enforcement
of the existing laws. There it stops.
1t knows that these laws are not
stringentiy enforced in the cities OF
Maine. 1t knows that they never
have been stringently enforced in the
cities for any considerable length OF
time. But it has no suggestion to Of
fer as to how enforcement may be Sc
cured"
The first four sentences are cor
rect the fifth is half right; the last IS
false. But our exchange puts a diff
ferent meaning to each of them than
we do. 1t credits Republican lead
ers with the same brand of honor as
that shown by Democratic bad medi-
cine men. In 1910 Democracy de-
clared for enforcement of law by
regularly elected officers" Governor
Plaisted accepted the nomination, us
ing these words: 81 cheerfully sub
scribe TO every plank in the splendid
platform you have adopted"
How have the governor and other
Democratic officials kept faith with
the people according to their plat
form? How we'll have they respect
ed their oaths of office? These ques-
lions may, be answered by the words
of the chief executive himself for he
has declared on multiple occasions,
that the law could not be enforced;
that the people do not want it en-
forced; that it is useless to hope for
enforcement-except to grant evil its
sway.
1t is small wonder that Democratic
newspapers profess to disbelieve in
Republican sincerity. Their party
has constituted itslef denunciator- in
chief of law, expounder of personal
liberty fallaeies, and high demonstra-
tor of the uselessness and superfiuity
of restraint. No attempt has been
made to retain even a semblance of
deeency in some communities. Dis
regard of law and brazen violation of
party pledges has been encouraged
and approved by the leaders, for the
effect of such bald braggadocio on the
iiliterate and characterless who are
ever ready to worship him who APP
proves of their passions and appe-
tites. Crime has fiourished as never
before in Names history, because it
has been not only countenanced but
protected by official collaborators.
These are the political publicans
who demand that the -publicans
make their platform spectacular.
But our exchange is stating that
which is not so when it says Re
publicans have no suggestions to Of
fer as to how enforcement may be
secured" The Republicans of Maine
offer their platform pledges and the
character of the men who are to be
elected to Office. There is law
enough-if it is used--in spite of
Democracy's frantic sweep of statutes,
to secure respectable conditions where
they are now disgusting.
The Marketing Crusade.