St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-09-29
Tie Voice of California.

by the Republicans is very significant
fact. 1t shows that the Democratic re-
action which has been 50 fondly believed
is delusion. 1t proves how trail is the
hold of the Democratic party any where
except in such States rs Kentucky and
Maryland and how profound is the dis
trust of it which is instructive in this gen
Grafton Of Americans. Indeed, nothing
but objectionable folly and blindness can
deprive the Republican party of its as
tendency. The strength Of the Demo
cratic opposition is derived solely from
the dissatisfaction Of some Republicans
with their own party course. That is
to say. it is wholly negative, not positive.
Indeed, all the actual tendencies of the
Democratic party, as distinguished from
its formal professions, are plainly peril
Gus
Thus it PROCESSES regard for the free
dom of industry but lis real feeling, as
lis last declaration showed, is for rcpu-
diation, which, by destroying til, public
faith, would be industrial ruin. 1t pro :
feSscs regard for individual liberty, but
not only Is it still largely controlled by
the old slavery spirit of hatred of equal
rights, but it allies itself with the only
political Church in the country, and a
Church necessarily hostile to political
freedom. 1t PROCESSES profound respect
for the Constitution, but, as fact, ii
furnished the doctrines and the men who
|
sought to sever tho Union; and every
man in the country who excuses the at
tempt and hates the Union and the Con
stitution, which is lis bond, belongs 10
the Democratic party. Indeed, if any
where there is contcmptuous disregard of
human rehts-if there is an argument
i'll favor Of public dishonor-if there is
hostility to the governmental there is
pandering to ecclesiastical mcddlin9 in
politics-if there is an appeal TO ignor-
ance ami surrender Of the rights of cit
liens to the threats of Il m0b-it pro-
cccds from the Democratic party. And
now when thc most fllgrant and incred-
iblc corruption, the most astounding theft
of the money OF the people, is exposed,
it is seen TO have been pelpetratcd under
the auspices Of tie chicl leaders of that
party in the greatest State Of the Union.
1t Is not, therefore, surprisin" that
there is universal conviction that what
ever the oiftnscs of the Republican par
", they are not to be remcdicd by Dem
ucraIc success. II the Republican iinan,
cial - stem Is un@onnd, population i,
not ~oundcr policy. If the wisdom ol
Republican ku-kluN legislation i qucs-
tionablr, there is no question of the peri
of laws made 10y those who excuse Ia,
Ku-kIux. Ii the Republican view ut
the national power Is cNtravagant, tIi'
Democratic theory of STATE sovereignty
is destructive. If The Republican ming
linz of morals with politics be some
times crude, the Democratic >nc'r nj
moral ideas Is always ptrlpu- Thc~r
are facts which are constantly evident
to The public mind. There is Il "rcat
libcrality ot abuse of party iilc!ly, but
party fidelity is only another name fol
perception Of tendencies. When certain
measure, are carried there Is a loud cry
that the party work Is done; that TIA,
party is an asSnriltion for certain pur-
poses, and that 1t naturally dis>oive-
when they are accomplished. How,
then, if when slavery was abolished and
could not extend into the Territories,
and the war, being fought ont, could not
be renewed, the Republican party had
disbandcd! The issues, Il, they are call
ed, were settled. Why should the party
continue
Because ISSUES, or questions of policy,
are determined by principles and tcndcn
cics. The oil philosophers SAID that {;
man was by nature either 4 Stole or al
Epicurcan. 1t is rs true of politics Il.
of philosophy. The Republican party
continued after slavery was aboishc,
and the war ended, because the spiri
and tendency of the Democratic party
were as threatening and dangerous II
ever 1t continues today for the SANE
reason. No platforms, no professions
no new departures, will avail to cham,
the political instinct of the country. 4
: man who has been Il Sot until fifty ma,
may sim the pledge, and swear by al
that he holds sacred TO drink no more
but he is not trusted like one who la
been always sober. The devil that con
troiIeI him is under durcss ) but lac i
the same old devil. Nobody believe
Theirs to he Il republican, although h
is called President. Nobody suppose
that the Orlcansts and the imperialist
: will cease to intrigue because they sit il
t what is called Il republican Assembly
The election in California, and the feel
ing in the country, Of which every on
r is conscious who is in the way of know
: ing its expression, show that Democrat
5 success is not believed TO be u rcmed
for Republican rcmiSsncss.
The duty of Republicans, then, /
plain. 1t is not to rely upon the popu
lar distrust of Democrats, but TO contin
ne TO prove that the party should b
trusted for itself. This can be done on
ly by applying its general principles +
other questions as they arise. 1t is i
lis nature, for instance, the party of free
: dom, and it must therefore, wisely dc
fcnd liberty of production and exchange
1t is the party of honesty, and it must
thereiore-as its conventions in Ohio
Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Marylan
demand-provide for thorough reform
| of the civil service. The New Jerse
and Maryland Republicans, indeed, wer
not content with general declaration
They resolved that they were SIN fave
, Of such a reform Of the civil service 4
shall make appointments TO public oilic
! lencnlrnt unnn fitness and cLnractnI