Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-04-28
The Republican Party the Only Hope
Of Reform.

Or late, in certain quarters, we hear not
little concerning certain Reforms" as
if the Republican party was antagonistic
to them, and hence that their advocates
must work with some other party. A
moments examination, however, will
show conclusively that this cry comes
mainly, not only from those desiring the
defeat of the Republican party, but from
those working for the success of a party
always bitterly hostile to all reforms.
There are now, and can be before an
other Presidential election, but two great
parties in this country, and without the
intervention of some unknown power, the
next administration must be either Re-
publican or Democratic, in the present po-
litical significance of those party terms.
Now can any sane man, believing in the
necessity of reform, whether in the civil
service, or the revenue, or whatever other
department of the government, believe
for moment that the prospect of the
needed change will be better undera Dem
ocratic than Republican administration?
Is not the Democratic party of to-day,
true to its traditional policy, the sworn
enemy TO all reform? Do not its leaders
now, as they always have, sneer at the
very word and idea of reform? Can there
be found a single instance in its long,
black history in which the Demo
cratic party has originated. or adopted
any reform, even local in its character
unless driven to it by the direst struggle
for life? And has it not invariably proved
false to every pledge in favor Of reform
wrung from it by its perils, and at the first
safe moment returned to its congenial
wallowings in the slough of corruption.
How then can any one have the hardi-
hood to claim, or the blindness to believe,
that any reform can ever receive aid and
comfort from the Democratic party, after
it shall have gained a victory? To gather
grapes from thorns and figs from thistles
might be deemed law of nature long be-
fore a probability could be credited that
one true reform would be inaugurated or
fostered by Democratic rule in this nation.
On the other hand, the Republican par
ty is to-day, as it always has been, party
of progress. Whenever it has held sway,
abuse after abuse has been removed, re-
form after reform carried out; and, indeed,
its whole history has been but one
triumphant series of wrongs made right.
It's very mistakes have been but the chOos-
ings of the less desirable or feasible
method of carrying out reforms but not
once has it failed to strive for, according
to the light given, and to achieve, often
through much tribulation, true and glori
GUS progress.
Such being the light thrown by the
lamp of the past on the character and
tendencies of the two parties, there is lit
tie fear that intelligent believers in the
necessity of reforms in government will
directly throw their influence in favor OF
the Democratic party. But impatience al
slow progress, or disappointment at the
failure of particular measures, may induce
some to look about for the appearance o.
a new party especially devoted to theil
own class of ideas. Such men, being
honest and sincere in their adherence tC
principles, believe others equally true il
their loud commendation of independence
of party ties and devotion TO the right
but fail to see that the Democracy have
nothing to lose by this, for the true friends
of reform are not in their ranks, but ar
Republicans. Hence every man who al
lows himself to be persuaded, through
zeal, for any reform, to ignore his party
allegiance, is sure to at least substrac
himself from the only party through
which he might succeed. If ever the Re
publican party is beaten, it will be by it
too Jealous friends of special reforms
who will allow themselves to be blinded
by their impatience, and to withdraw fo
deeeitful promises of speedy success, ant
will thus doom themselves and the part,
of progress to sad aud needless defeat
Nillodukee Sentinel.