Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-07-20
Republican State Ticket.
THE IOWA VOTER
A. F. Sperry, Editor.
The Difference.

| since the democrats OF Iowa adopt
ed their New Departure Platform
last month, some persons thought
lessly say "There's no difference
between the two parties now," and
therefore "it's no odds which wins"
This is a mistake-a great mistake.
The difference between the Republi-
can and the Democratic parties is
perhaps almost as great now, in
reality, as ever. GLOSS things over
and disguise thenf4n verbiage as we
may, the two parties tend in opposite
directions, and theirinherent policies
Numerically disagree.
Speaking Of the Platforms especi.
ally now, the first and greatest point
of difference noticed is rs to their
sincerity. The Republican afiirms
principles to which the party has
adhered from its beginning, policies
which it has upheld and carried out
in good faith during its entire history.
1t speaks what the party means, and
its sincerity is proven by the party's
record.
But the main and distinguishing
characteristic of the Democratic State
Platform Of this year is its insinceri-
ty, and especially so in regard to its
first and most important resolutions.
In them the Democratic party vir-
tually repudiates its own record and
denies its own historic dogmas. II
this were genuine itmight be repent
ance, even unto political salvation.
But it is not genuine; it did not even
pretend to be genuine. These resO-
lutions were introduced and adopted
merely rs an experiment in wire
working policy, purely to catch
votes. They did not express, and
were not intended to express, any
real and genuine belief on the part
of the Democratic party Of Iowa or
of any considerable portion thereof.
And, herein, rs we said, lies great,
vital difference between the Demo-
cratic and the Republican parties.
The Democrats call loudly for
universal amnesty-immediate and
unconditional pardon of all rebels.
SO do some Republicans also; but the
Republican party, us party, holds
that this amnesty should be guarded
and qualified in SO far as the safety
of the country demands.
The Democrats express a quibling
and Obscdre sentiment i'm regard to
the payment of the Public Debt
intending it to be understood one
way before election and another after
they get in power. The Republicans
! have no such double-dealing. Fair,
square honesty is their doctrine and
practice.
The Democrats profess great
desire for "reform." This is always
the cry Of the party out Of power.
But what real reform ever adorned
the history of the Democratic party
The real reforms we have had have
been of Republican origin and been
carried through by the Republican
party-the same party which is now
actively and practically engaged in
the Civil Service reform, reform OF
the revenue service, and other real
and genuine reform movements.
These are only some OF the points
of difference between the two parties.
We cannot now mention all-and
there is no need of it. AS we have
before said, the record is the test.
The leopard does not change his
spots. What the two parties have
been in history, such are they now.
BY their fruits we must Judge them.
Let no man say there is ''no differ
ence between them" There Is a
difference-the difference between
progress and retrogression, between
honesty and trickery, between good
and evil. On the one hand is Ebal
and on the other Gerizim, and there
is no valley Of neutrality between
them. Choose, then, and let the
lines be drawn.
James w. Shannon, of Madison,