Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-07-03
-nRs,oKVILLE
Friday Morning. July Q, 1883.


44
4. A Lock, Stock and Barrel Wanted.
The condition OF the Democratic party
(says Harper's Weekly Ia view Of IL
approaching National Convention, ough,
to be enough TO satisfy tho country ~heth-
sr Il can safely be intrusted with the gov.
ernmen. When a great party, 10 free
counts Questions the principles and OPP
poses the policy Of its opponent, maintains
svigorors criticism. aud demands power
10 order to prove that its own principles
and policy will more surely secure the
pablic welfare. II occupies position which
il at least consistent, and In moment Of
fatigue or doubt or disgust may succeed
ia suPPlautiug its adversary. But when
party says that Il does no, exactly know
whether /, has any principles, aud can not
determine who represents it, policy, one
day insisting that Il had better acquiesec
in the policy Of iis opponent as a settled
result, and the next that it had better do
no such thing, II offers ludicrous and
eontsmpsibIe spectacle.
Thstis preeisely the position OF the
Democratic party. IL does not know
whether 10 L. ht or retreat or surrender.
Il can not resolve whether radical Re-
publican or peace Comprehend is Its bet
ter candidate. II can not decide whether
to declare the question of reconstruction
closed, OF, to reopen II altogether. II
wants to denounee equal suffrage, aud il
Is afraid to say any thing about It, This
is one Of the most interesting aud inpor-
iant ePochs in our history, and the Demo-
cratic party can not make up its mind
what to think about 1t. Last autumn i,
triumphaptly shouted that the great re-
action bad begun, and now it considers
whether tho points shall be conceded
against which il declared. the reaction TO
be directed Its.Convsntion meets in q
week, and il does not know whether its
inspiration shall be relentless hostility to
the war as wicked outrage or approval
ofitas necessary exercise Of Legitimate
authority.
Is this party TO be insrusted with the
government Of this country? With what.
ever candidate and whatever professions il
may enter upon the election, is this a
party to which thoughtful aud sensible
men will give their support Whatever a
mau's previous respect for the ability aud
career Of Mr.. Chase. would he wish TO vote
for him if Mr.. Chase were willing to re-
ceive the nomination OF convention
which seriously entertained Mr.. pendle-
ton rs tho contesting candidate? Mr..
Chase, elected President by hundreds of
votes reluctantly cast for him. but which
would have been joyfully thrown for
Hendricks, or Seymour, or vallandigham
for whom Pendeton is merely a subs:i-
,ute--eould not be independent Of those
votes, nor Of the policy and tendency
which they represent. Unless we sup.
pose political tergivsrsa,ion which is in
credible, namely. remuneration Of his
Republican views to obtain Democratic
Iasty, Mr. Chase would. Of course. be a
party President, and dispense his patron
age ike other Presidents. Whoever voted
for him would vote to place The admins
irsiion of the govern ment in the hands Of
Democratic politicians, aud, Of course for
the promotion Of Democratic views and
policies.
Ii that is a desirable result; il the
asceudancy Of the Democratic party, as
the country knows il by most trsgical ex
pcrience would tendto the speedy restora
ton OF tie Union upon enduring piinei-
pies. then We can conceive why Repub.
lienn might think that he ought to vote
for Mr. Chase az Democratic candidate
Bot if be asked himself the question with
which We began. whelhern party that has
not yet made up It's mind whether Mr.
Chase or Mr. Pendleion is its true repre-
sentative can safely b. trusted with the
government aud with the final settlement
of the Southern question, he would proba
bly, conclude that Mr. Chase. as Demo
cratic President would DO precisely what
Nr. horalio Seymour or Alexander II
s'spbens would do--namely, carry out
r-e policy upon which his party might de-
rje.
L. seems to-. ms that any candid man
mus, aami, that party which has certain
Fixed aud proved. principles aid a restora
lou already 10 successful operation that
as bsied all the evil suguries Of its enc
mics Ia regard to tia party which has
nominated u candidate Of tho highest no
nswn as patriotic soIiier, uuder whose
command the Union citizens suppressed