Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-08-02

That resolution has not Itself, been acquieS-
ced in by the rank and file of the party.
Over one third of the Convention voted
strenuously against it, and the action of the
Convention has since been repudiated
by many leading men and journals of the
party. Besides, whatever acquiescence
has been given, sullenly and not heart
ily-as matter of policy, springing
from party necessity, and not from
conviction of its propriety. Wherever a
voter has been honestly given, or VOC
sincerely raised for this new departure, "
it may very properly be regarded as an ex
torted confession that the Republican party
has all along been right in what the Demo
cratic party has steadily opposed and this
confessed, what need is there, OF can there
be, for the further existence of the Dem
ocratic party?
When Gen. Grant came into office, in
1869, he announced his determination to
secure the honest and faithful collection of
the revenue, the steady reduction of the
public debt, and such an abatement in tax
alton as was consistent with this policy. In
the space of little over two years this deter
mination, faithfully adhered to, has resulted
in paying off $3.50, ,0000 600, of the public
debt, and in the abolition of nearly all the
taxes imposed under previous laws.
In addition to this he has, BY his wise
and firm foreign policy, succeeded in set
Ting all our outstanding difficulties with
Great Britain, in manner alike honorable
and advantageous to US as people. The
treaty, lately ratified By both nations, which
removes all causes of quarrel, and estab
fishes peace and amity between them, has
commanded the admiration of the civilized
world, and placed the United States in the
foremost rank among the nations of the
earth. This result is one of which every
American may justly feel proud
To continue the Republican party in pow
er is to continue the policy begun, both in
State and Nation, of maintaining the pub
lie credit, paying off our debt, reducing
taxation, settling international difficulties
without bloodshed, and sustaining the great
principles involved III the measures nccessa-
rily growing out of the war.
To restore the Democratic party to power
is to destroy the public credit, pave the way
for rcpudiation, bring in the old tide of
corruption, mismanagement and extrava-
gance, and open up anew all the questions
involved ia the reconstruction of the south
ern States, now settled upon an honorable
basis.
For present proof of this ne refer to the
flowing from the accidental
majority of the Democrats in the State
Senate last winter. To that fact we owe
session prolonged to the middle of May, at
an extra cost of 100000, the re establish
ment of the forsaken policy of employing
extra land useless) officers in the Legislative
appropriation bill increased beyond all for
mer bounds, to the extent of half million;
the defeat of all measures for calling Con
Convention at an early day to
put an end to that curse of our State, SPEC
IAL LEGISLATION; and if determined to
show that this curse should not be re-
moved by their aid, the enactment of the
enormous number of 1900 local bills. And
this is but tithe of what we should have
had to endure had they had both Houses
and the Governor on their side
A still further proof of the unfitness of
tha. party to be entrusted with power is to
be found in the melancholy history OF the
late riots in New York In that city the
Democrats have undisputed sway, and, ,thro'
it, in the State. They had the power in
their hands to prevent this riot and blood
shed, but they would not use it either at the
right time or in the right way. Why? Be
cause the party is possessed of no principle
which can lead it to respect the rights of
man, be they civil or religious. Its sole idea
of rights is derived from the maxim that
MIGHT makes RIGHT. This was clearly
evinced in the debate in our State Senate, in
1869, on the Fifteenth Amendment, in
which the Democratic leader in the State
secuted the claim that there were any such
things as human rights. The idea, he said,
was myth and humbug.
And this sentiment of the Democratic
leader in Pennsylvania has been carried out
to the letter in New York A few thousand
men, in the exercise of their Constitutional
right to assemble together, inform the au
thorities of their purpose to parade the
streets on certain day. Another body of men
who always voted the Democratic ticket, and
numbering many more thousands, notify
the authorities that this parade must not be
permitted. and that if it is, they will attack
it and disperse it, 10 matter at what cost Of
life or iiu,b to the party attacked. The
Democratic rulers Of New York at once de-
cline to defend the few against the many in
the exercise of their Constitutional right
deny that there is any such right yield to
the defiance of the mob, because it has
might on its side, and, at the demand of
that mob, forbid the peaceable and law
abiding citizens to assemble together. as the
Constitution permits, or to exercise the
rights which the law allows
1t is true that at the last hour, when the
public Indignation had been aroused at this
base abandonment of the civil rights of the
people, the State authorities stepped in and