The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-29
evening State 5ournaL
CONSTITUENCY.

and dead-rcckoning of his former voyages
he never steers present one by it, but from
their careful observation frames new
course. The party whose policies of to-
day, are entirely consistent with those of
an earlier period, has no business with the
present, but should go back to, and live
only in, the past to which it belongs
There Is no hour of the whole natural day
just like any preceding hour there is nc
period in human life between the era
dleand the grave just like any other pe-
riod; nor is there any stage in the progress
Of a government, people or party,
which has its double, for no past will ever
be an actual present again.
Such a consistency in party policies il
utterly unnatural. and if it exists at all, il
either stupid fraud or a silly pretence.
True craftsmanship, careless of what il
said or did in the past, says and does what
the day requires. 1t dares declare what is
true now, nor, like shivering coward
holds its breath till it finds out what was
said or done in the past. 1t dares to set its
present course straight as an arrow for its
present mark, in total disregard of the
course it took before. The real difference
between parties and men who divide on this
line of consistency, and are thus antago-
nized, is this the one does what now ap-
pears most likely to promote the safety
peace and prosperity of the country the
other does only what is most likely to ap-
pear consistent with what was said and
done before.
One is a timid, time-serving trimmer ;
the other is honest, manful and straight
forward-one shows his honest purpose
and heroic works, while the consistent man
points to the pretty image his mirror
shows. Democracy and Republicanism
are fair types Of the two classes--the former
points to Jefferson, to jackson, to State
Rights and constitution as it was, and,
with infinite arrogance, exclaius: ~ thank
thee | am not as other men, nor like that
poor publican y The latter refers to a
country saved and Union preserved, to
a great war brought to a successful termi.
nation, to diminished taxes, to debt re-
duced, to people enfranchised, and to
human rights again vindicated. The for
mer, for the future, promises to undo all
that has been done, to roll back on itself
the last ten years of the country's history,
to disturb what has been settled, to annul
all that has been ratified, to revoke and
repeal not only the laws themselves, but
even the amendments to the constitution,
as though they were not the result of our
progress, the development Of our growth,
aud as sacred as any portion Of the con-
stitution.
The Republican party, planting itself
on the great principles of the sovereignty
and indestructibility of the government,
aud tho equality of the citizen in all the
rights and privileges which belong to citi-
zenship, promises to stand by those prin-
ciples, but at the same time to move on
and to inaugurate such policies as will
most certainly give them power and vi
tality. That party is friend to peace,
and is bound to preserve it at all hazards.
1t believes in a sober, steady government,
and will administer it with justice, vigor
and economy. 1t believes in law, but
thinks law lawless, unless honestly en-
forced. 1t believes in order, and will not
be deferred from maintaining good order
by any risk which it thereby runs, of turn
ing back on itself or friends. 1t believes
in the right Of all the people, equally tc
participate in the government made for all
and will steadily labor for that object
although in it there is involved the fullest
enfranchisement Of the Oldest enemy.
The mistakes of the party will not be
repeated, initiated or gloricd in, but they
will be studied carefully for the instruc-
tions they furnish--new departures may
be frequent, but they will only be from
bad to good or from good to better. We
have no foolish or vicious consistency to
maintain; if we have been unfortunate in
our leadership or following, either or both
lwil be changed as circumstances may re-
YOU'RE. If incompetent, bad or doubtful
men have been prominent, better mer
must take their places if good men have
been unfortunate in their expressions OIL
"A mistaken in their views, wiser words
must be chosen TO express sounder opln
ions. Consistency in principles, aims ane
ends alone are praisewortby or desirable
Absolute iniidelty to the wrong, is the
highest development of virtue. Con-
sistency in error, is the worst OF
vices. Turning our back upon all OF the
mistakes of the past, we propose to march
straight on for the support of the right
and enlightened by its experience, we hope
in the future to avoid the errors of the
past. Consistency on the part of the par
| ty opposed to us would require more bal
let boxes to be destroyed, more legal cleo,
tions TO be set aside, and more illegal in
l. x.at