Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-07-12
REpuRL1cAN1sM 1N KrNrucKY.


The Republican party PROFESSIONALLY
embodies the progressive and most liberal
ideas entertained by the American people.
Its adherents are mostly men of positive
views who hold their opinions rs convic-
tions to he aggressively advanced. There
is not so much partisanism, 50 much blind
adherence to leaders or traditional policy,
in the Republican as in the Democratic
party, but there is n more tenacious, more
intelligent, more sincere devotion TO the
principles of the former on the part of its
members than i'm the latter. There are
reasons why this Is true. The Republican
party, while 1t Is more progressive and
enlightened in its policy than the De-
mocracy, conforming it's creed to the wants
Of the country, nevertheless subordi-
mates all changes in it, policy to certain
great cardinal principles which it believes
essential to the mRintainence of Republi-
can institutions on this Continent. In
this line of party policy it necessarily in
vites to its standards the bold vigorous
intellects OF the nation and brings to the
support of its measures men of enthusiasm
and resolute wills. Thus while to-day it
is encountered with some inevitable abuses
and corruption, always inseparable from
firm ascendancy in governmental affairs, il
nevertheless, in its policy and glorious re-
cord, presents such UNNECESSARILY superior
merits to its stupid Bourbon rival that it is
likely for many years to come to retain
that power which it has heretofore so
wisely and beneficently exercised.
These elements in its ranks are nowhere
more strikingly exhibited than in the
present contest in Kentucky. The Re
publicans of that old Commonwealth pre-
sent a spectacle to-day which challenges
the admiration Of even their opponents.
Founded in the solid, progressive
principles of the National party, they have
struggled heroically, unitedly and ener-
getieally from the most discouraging and
feeble beginnings, until to-day they are q
powerful, hopeful and growing organiza-
ton, struggling with most brilliant pros
poets for a speedy triumph in that long
lost sterile barren desert. We do not know
that we dare hope for a victory there next
month in the sense Of an election of their
ticket, but we do know that they will
gladden. the hearts of their friends every
where by a UonderJuI increase in the num-
bers and character of their voters.
Republicanism in kentucky to-day is
aggressive, hopeful, growilg. The secret
is, that it fights manfully, intelligently
upon the live issues of the day, General
Harlan and his associates on the ticket are
able, honest, firm men, and are winning
friends to the good cause every day. They
started out with less hope than we have in
Tennessee to-day. They have battled ear
nestly and unitedly, however, and imbued
with the true spirit of the party, have
rapidly grown in strength and character.
In their work they have found on able ally
in that sterling sheet, the Louisville Com
Blercidl which has added strength to the
party by its high-toned and vigorous
policy.
Wemay have occasion,hereafter TO apply
the lessons of their experience to Repub-
licanism in Tennessee.