The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-04

PRINCIPLES are to political parties what
roots are to the tree. or cement TO the
wall, lacking which, the tree dies, or the
wall totters as without principles, politi-
cal parties are weakly associations, or dam
gerous combinations.
II is permcatng principles that have
bound the majority of our people into the
great Republican party; party which
possesses inherent strength, not only to
resist assaults, but to advance and gather
strength as it advances, over tie ground so
long held by wrong, entrenched behind
Notifications of prejudice, and protected by
rifie-pits of malevolence. Principles con-
stitute the power of Republicanism the
want of them is the weakness of Democ-
racy. Republicanism fearlessly announces
its objects, and the means whereby it seeks
their accomplishment; it presents itself as
the advocate of the rights of the people to
freedom of press, speech, and thought; it
challenges discussion, and repudiates all
agitation save that of argument, all harsh
ness save to repel violation Of the liberties
of the citizen, be that citizen high or low,
rich or poor, gentle or simple.
1t is not to be wondered at, that party
thus animated and consolidated by princi-
pies which attract and constran the sympa-
thies Of all who love and value freedom,
should become predominant in country of
freemen; or that its old opponent, Democ-
racy, should be casting about for new de-
partures, to 'assume a virtue, if it has it
not" and endeavor, by liberal professions,
and promises, to cover its barremess of
performance in the past, or, as in Virginia.
preserve strict silence upon questions
which the people demand shall be consid-
cred in their interest, and be loudly affirma-
tive in nothing but abuse.
We are led to this subject by careful
comparison of the resolutions and plat
forms adopted by the two parties for
there is no party but Republican or Demo-
cratic. From the Pacific to the Atlantic,
from the Lakes to the Gulf, enunciation of
party principles by Republicans is the
same broad, liberal, patriotic strain. In
wiling peace, they practice peace; desiring
national prosperity, they resolutely defend
our home industry from its foreign antago-
nists wisely recognizing in the children
of to-day, the citizens of the next decade,
they insist that education shall mould the
child, fitting him for intelligent citizenship
and profitable industry acknowledging
the nobility of labor, they respect its
claims to recognition as the source of
power and prosperity; and in national
affairs, well knowing that the Republican
administration is in consonance with their
desires, and in harmony with their inter-
ests, they are resolutely determined to sus-
tain it.
While we, as Republicans, have just
cause for pride, when we survey the polti-
cal field, and compare our position with
that Of our opponents, we caution our
friends to keep ever in view the fact, that
our success is but the assertion of princi-
pies which are powerful in proportion as
they are just, which constrain support as
they reciprocate support. These principles
must therefore be kept prominent and clear,
so that all can see them, and understand
them; they must guide and govern onr
policy, not, as Democracy, allow policy to
guide and govern principles. Our pros
poets were never brighter, or our duties
palmer than now and while we congratu-
late ourselves upon the much that has been
accomplished, we should keep ever before
us the work which has yet to be done.
If our action as individual members of
the party is as harmonious as our declara-
tons of party principles, Republican sue
cess in 1872 is an assured fact.