The Portland daily press., 1871-09-08
Why Republication should Triumph-A
Candid Talk W ilh Honest Wen.

litical action. Ii they belong TO the dom ;nant
party, and If that party seems likely to con-
tinue in power, they will conduct this sell-ex-
animation with especial care, because it will
then be necessary to consider whether an ex-
pectatio OF share in the spoils OF victory, or
perhaps foolish enjoyment of triumph or
being on the winning sides, or even mere I'M
intelligent habit, may not inspire them. so,
too, If they belong to the party that is
usually in the minority, it is equally neces-
sary to consider whether mere obstinacy or
constitutional tendency to obstructiveness or,
woise still, an expectation OF large share of
the spoils, when the hour Of triumph comes,
as a reward for fidelity during the long period
of defeat and disaster, may not be at the bot
tom OF their political preferences. The i'm
proper motives by which voters may be in
huenced are therefore divided quite evenly be-
tween the two parties, with slight prepon-
derance, of course on the side of that party
which usually prevails.
What, then, are the considerations that
should weigh with US who are Republicans in
view of the approaching election, regarding it
as an important struggle preliminary to-, and
largely influencing the result of, the Presiden-
tial election of next year?
First, the issues of the ,par are not settled.
There are multitude of circumstances show
ing that the nominal submission of part of
the Democracy to the constitution is merely
campaign trek, and that a great majority
are still SO nvincibly opposed to the liberaliz-
ing effect of the great changes in the consti-
tuition and laws which have been wrought by
the Radical party that they only await an OPP
portunity to sweep them all away. We do
not believe that the great interests of cipH
and political liberty are safe IN the hands of
the Democracy So far as the Northern
wing of The party is concerned we need not
point to the fact of the extreme reluctance
With which State Conventions are brought
even to promise respect tor such of these be-
nefcent principles as are embodied in the
constitution, while local conventions studi,
ously abstain from making any promises at
all. In the State conventions where the
new departure" is finally carried out, only
bare majority is usually obtained for it, and
the opposing minority do not so much as pro-
fess to surrender their independent convic
tons. '.i'
But 1t is to the Southern States that we
must turn for the final determination or the
question whether we should not lose every
thing OF value gained in the war by allowing
the Democracy to assume control of the gov
eminent 1t is most significant fact that
Just now, when every consideration of self in
terest and prudence aud when every appeal
by judiclous friends is brought to bear upon
the Southern people to induce quiet behavior
in view of the inevitable effect of Ku Klux
outra9es on Northern elections, President
Grant Las called special meeting of the Cab
met Tor consolidating on a proclamation of
martial law in certain Southern districts
which he is about to issue. When every mo-
tive for good behavior is presented to these
Southrons they continue to drive out North
ern migrants and to murder blacks to an
extent that requires the vigorous interpositon
OF the general government. Those who stop
to consider what a tremendous dissuaslve
force there is in these suggestions OF prudence
and self-nterest, will not find us guilty of any
extravaganza when we say that these men
who cannot restrain their proscriptive and
murderous impulses now, when they brave
inevitable punishment, would, in case they
We're permitted once more to manage their
own affairs and had the sympathy of the gen.
eral government, remit the negro to cond
ton of virtual if not legal slavery, and make
it as unsafe Tor Northern people to live in the
South as it was in 1860. So far is it from be
inc true that the issues raised by the war are
settled that we have seen both North Carolina
and Georgia attempt to overthrow the recon-
struction laws, as Tar as they applied to them
in the very face OF United States government.
Second, The Democracy hare not the right
side Of the more recent subjects of contro-
versy.
1t would be most powerful argument in
favor of the restoration of our Bourbons if
they could gain the general acceptance OF the
Claim that under their control there would be
greater prudence and honesty in the manage
ers who would ignore everything else, and
"go in Tor change" on this issue alone, if
they were satisfied that the change would he
for the better. But no minority party in this
or any other county was ever in so poor
condition TO attack the extravaganza of the
governing party as the Democracy. 1t has
been he province of the minority party time
out Of mind to criticise the extravaganza and
corruption of the government, and, where.
ever it has had an opportunity TO exhibit in
its own conduct the most scrupulous honesty
and the most conscientious prudence. But
our Bourbons have awaited themselves of the
opportunity afforded them by their local sue
cesses only to exhibit to the worlds aston
ished gaze the most gigantic robberes of pub.
lie fluids known to history. We behold the
anomaly of a minority party so far transcend
ing the majority in corruption that the latter
seem relatively spotess. And in no case that
can be cited, North or South, East or West
have the Democracy fulfilled their special
duty of Signalling their advent to power by
Initiating reforms of any kind whatever, or
distinguishing themselves in any way except
nv the splendor of their robberes.
her matters, some of more
importance, it seams to us
an party is entitled to the
'of all thinking men.
Neither party is able to make an issue of
the tariff. since they are both divided on that
question, Pennsylvania and Connecticut
Democrats voting unhesitatngly with Kelly
and other protectionists.
The Republican party holds that the ma
tional credit should be upheld by the honest
pay ment OF the national debt The Demo-
cratic party holds that the national debt should
III part be repudiated by it's payment" in IT.
redeemable promises. If there were only this
difference between the two nar,ies M honest
man could hesitate between them.
The Republican party holds that the wav
should be paved for the resumption OF snecie
payments by improving the public credit. re.
funding the the debt at a low rate of interest
the public burdens and restrict
nc the volume of the currency. On the 9th
n hand, the Democratic party holds that the
should be inflated to an extent that
would cause a depreciation involving the loss
IF untold millions on the aboring men of this
country.
The Republican party has initiated the on
~ movement toward civil service reform ev |
er undera aiken since the formation of the gov
!" 10 everywhere the party of temperance as
i'' 'oi'iS' Is everywhere the party of free