The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-06-11
The Parties. and the Issues.

The constituent element OF the political
armies now arraying themselves for a con-
fiict at the ballot box for the control of
the government, are so distinct that none
can honestly err in an estimate of their
relative merits The democrtic party ON
one side is the same that went into re-
bellion to destroy the Union, because it
would net adopt slavery as the great ma
tlonai institution, and give it free range
in states and territories consecrated to
liberty. They failed to nplish their
purpose, and now, maldened with disap
pointment, they are rallying their 'brok
Ell; hosts to fight for the saineN prize on a
new'line, with no platform of principles
but that which arsses from deadly hos
tility to every memorial of their defeat,
and no railying cry but down with the
party thatasupported the government and
brought upon them the ignoming of fail
uro1 The rarty is.made upiof inst such
elements as might be looked for in such
q cause. Its leaders are bold. bad men,
reckless political demireps who have
nothing,to loose and its followers the
riff-raff of the country, y,uwho move as
& a'disciplined army to the word of com
sssnd from their Captains ~ The party
is strong because united Its'leaders are
talented and unscrupulousl ITS adherents
asst mass are Ignorant and thoug ghtless,
and ready to do anything eirfnasters re-
quiroof'then.s Thefepubiiean partyeh the
other hand represents all those elements
that for the past seven years have stood
bytbenation and EMBELLISHMENTS on the
field and forum, on the broad ground OF
eaualtrights. If there is one distinctive
measure to which the democratic party
is piedgcdlt is to remand the loyal color-
ed men of the south, if not to bondage,
TO a condition wherein their ri ghts shall
| be at the mercy Of their former masters,
unless perchance they Willingness to
unite their political fortunes to the dem1
ocratic party. But this is a measure
subordinate to the one animating spirit of
the party head, and that is, the personal
ambition Ofits leaders. i.,..,... IL. -,.-..,5
They are ready to embrace any. measure
or policy that gives them hope of place
and power. BY Natural instinct they are
proscriptionists, but to accomplish their
ambitions ends they would extend the
franchise to any and all classes, Of men
who would helpyote them into power.
They would ridicple the republican party
as the party Of moral IDEAS because it
recognizes the exhistence of moral
principle applicable tothe political affairs
Of men. This shows the animus of cor
rupt organization They not only ignore
all principle in their nnblic measures,
but detinantly Sneer and scof at repub-
lea IS for defending. their policy with
Arguments drawn from tie moral, reia-
tions Of men. The ditferance between
the two parties, and the objects of each
may be fairly stated thus The. end
sought after by the democratic party,
is simply the overthrow of the ruling
party and to put the power and eniolu-
ments of office into the hands of its now
leaders. The republicans seek the sue
cess Of their measures only as a means
to the countrys great good. With Grant
and honest loyalty on our side. we have
the best assurances of riumph over
pci.,iIo,ogl. OF whoever el, hey may Sc
lect for their chief, OH the issues they
now present, with the whole army of
rebels and repud:ationists at his back.
Il Is the same contest, betwecnthe same
parties and principles as,was fought du-
ring the rebellion. row transferred to the
ballot box, With the leader who never
lost battle, we have the strongest assu-
rance of success. IFiscoltsn. aaf,.- 5s..