Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-06-21
Moral versus Political Ideas.

The Chairman OF the lite Marshall County
Democratic Convcntio in his speech explaining
the objects for which the unhung had assembled,
took especial pains to impress upon the minds of
his auditors that while moral ideas should govern
the conduct Of individuals, the endeavor TO carry
them into the policy of a nation was worse than
imprac,icable. He SAD that the nation had just
emerged from 'four years of persistent effort to so
administer its aff,irs, AMI that the alleged failure
OF the Republican party TO restore tranquility TO
the country owing to the fact that it had
erected a moral standard to which it made all
ether considerations bow.
This compliment, coming as it does from such
al unexpected quarter, is but just to the party
which has carried the country through the greatest
and most wicked rebellion the world ever SAW
Mr.. Reeve has at last Gnuasked the batteries
which have been so effective in knocking down tho
breastworks Of ignsrance, incompetence and vice
within which Democracy has ensconscd itself, and
We now understand what he meant By his speech
of welcome to the traitor Mllisan, at Huntington,
in which he advocated a reformation of our schools
and remodeling Of our churches. He fears that
the time is not far distant when, like another b.
abdil he will lead struggling band of Copper
heads to the heights on which he will involuntari
ly turn TO gaze upon his once loved, but now con-
quered Alhambra, from which shall float hated
banner upon whose sunit folds shall be inscribed
the "nioral ideas" which he so much abhors.
This not the only vulnerable point in Mr..
Reeves remarks, nor are seeking to make po-
liiical capital out Of the uSSuarded words Of one
whose exctable disposition is so we'll kno W.
The gentleman delivered his speech with greater
dcliberation than is usual with him, ami his re-
marks carried with them the evidences Of studied
effort. IL was one of those addresses for which
Copperheadism has so much need-a seeming
frankness in admitting the plausabili,y Of an OPP
pCncnt's theory, yet denying its prac.icability 1t
was an attempt to lull the conscience of his hear
ers aud to suggest another rule than "Do unto
others as We would others should do unto you" as
a basis Of National policy Unwisely confident Of
his ability to make black appear white Mr. Reeve
would Danish the moral aspect of the case. and
seek by the light of superior intellect to dazzle the
eyes OF the people. lie would hare us believe
that there is no moral responsibility associated
with the Ballots weid-that policy, and not
truth and justice, should govern and mould our
political views.
Alas for Democracy. The clouds of ignorance
and prejudice in which their long, weary reign had
ehveoped the land. have dispersed before the long
hidden sun Justice. 1t is no longer poss ible to
rally the demoralized battalions of stealcr.
and woman-whippers, for whose ears Mr.. Reeve.
speech was much better suited than for those Of Al
audience who, once having heard the truth. arr
unable TO stile the still small voice which bid
them do right because it is right, though tbs
heavens fall.