The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-05-13
The nepsbliean Parry the oaIy Hone
.fAEt .G ~ BeloYD.

.iAki sG fAef Relorn.
Oflate, In certain quarters. we
hear not . little concerning certain
reform" as II the Republican
party was antagonistic 10 them,
and hence that advocates must
work with some other party. A
momcnt's examination, however.
will show conclusively thatr this
cry comes msinly, not only from
those desiring the defess Of the r .
publican party, but from those
working for the success Of asparty
bitterly hostile to all reforms.
There are now, and can be be
fore another Presidential election.
but two great parties In this coun
try. and without the Intervention of
some unknown power, the next adj
ministratation must be either Re
publican or Democratic, IN the
present political Significance 3of
those party terms. Nov can any
sane man, believing in the neces-
sity Of reform, whether in the civil
rervice or the revenue, or whatev-
Or other department OF the Govern
ment, believe for a moment that
the prospect uf the needed changes
will be better under Democratic
than 9 Republican administration?
Il not the Democratic party Of to-
day, true to its traditional policy.
the sworn enemy Of all reform?
Do not its leaders now, as they :.
ways have, sneer at the very word
and idea Of reform? Can there be
found . single instance in it's long,
black history in which the Deno-
cratic party has originated or q.
dopted 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 OF reform
wrnng from it by its perils, and at
the first safe moment return to its
congenial wallowings in the slough
Of corruption.
How then can any one have the
hardiEood to claim. or the blind
ness to believe. thas any reform
can ever receive aid and comfort
from the Democratic party. after
it shall have gained a victory2 To
gather grapes from thorns and figs
from thistles might beemed law
OF nature long before probabili-
ty could be credited that one true
reform would be inaugurated or
fostered by Democratic rule in
this nation.
On the other hand the Republi-
can party is to-day. as it always
has been, q party of progress.
Whenever it has held sway, abuse
after ahusc has been removed. re-
form after reform carried out; aud
indeed, its whole history has been
but one triumphant series Of
wrongs made right. Its very mis-
takes have been but the choosings
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 glories pro.
gress.
Such being the light thrown by
the lamp OF the past on the char
acter and tendencies of the two
parties, there is little fear that the
believers in the necessi-
ties OF reforms in government will
directly throw their influence in
favor of the Democratic party.
But impatience at slow progress,
or disappointment at the failure of
particular measures. may induce
some to look about for the appear
ance oil q new party especially de.
voted to their own class of ideas.
Such men, being honest and sincere
in their adherence to principle, be.
lieve others equally true in their
loud commendation of independ-
ence Of party ties and devotion to s
Lhe right. but fail TO see the De.
nocracy have nothing to lose by
his, for the true friends Of refofn
are not in their ranks but are Re-
publicans. Hence every man who
allows himself to be persuaded,
through zeal, or any reform, to ig.
nore his party allegiance. is sure
o at least subtract himself from
he only party through which he
might succeed. II ever the Repub.
lean party is beaten. it will he by
ts too jealous friends of special
'eforms. who will allow themselves
o he blinded by their impotence.
md so withdraw for deceitful
promises of sheedy success. and
will thus doom themselves and tho
party of progress to a sad and
needless defeat.-Milwaukee Senti- y,
ael.
The Governor OF Massachusetts,