Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-26

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party whose organization they represents To tbeT
II appears that The welfare Of this state as well
OF the nation, depends upon the continued power
and success Ofthis organization, aud upon the
Enlistment and preservation of these principles of
society and state, 10 which It has SO long been de=
voted. The republican party Is the party of pro-
gress and reform. Beginning, as it did with an
earnest protest against the errors and wrong which
had GRADUALLY assumed defiant and controlling at
titude in the country, it found itself gshle Set
young laden with the duties and responsibilities of
the most important crisis ever known in the hsto-
ry of this or any other nation. How successfully it
has TINS far performed the heavy task imposed
upon it, the civilized world knows well. Devoted
IN the outset TO the interests OF humanity, it has
never whether in war or in peace lost sight of that
policy which would best subserve those interests in
every emergency, The history of the country for
the last ten years is but record Of the courage and
wisdom of those men, who, accepting the great Is
as they arose, directed public affairs in accord
ance with their imperative demands, guided by the
light of patriotism, and wisdom, and honesty, And
these men have been the leaders Of the republican
party during all these years OF trial. Ready for
honorable and humane adjustment, quick TO learn
the lessons of war, ever prepared TO accept the
highest doctrine and the noblest policy born of a
great crisis untiring in their labors for human
equality, devoted to loyalty everywhere, determined
ON national integrity and honesty, recognizing at
all times tine value OF honor and Intelligence as the
best Accomplishments for public SERVICE they and
the party which they represent have held high
the standard of American nationality and have
secured an enyiable reputation for the American
people,
In this work the republican party of Masachu.
sets has faithfully and wisely performed its part.
Looking back over the history of the last ten years,
whose path seems rather that Of q century than OF
decade the citizens of this commonwealth iiave
right to be proud of its record. They have been
blessed with succession of honest and honorable
ADMINISTRATORS no public servant of theirs has
been false to the high duties and responsibilities i'm
posed upon him; pnbic confidence has not been
shaken; the religious, and moral and intellectual
wants OF the Community have been well cared for;
and every earnest thought TOR the education of So
oiety and the reform of abuses, has received the
most careful consideration. TO say that the state
has meanwhile been prosperous, is simply to repeat
what every honest and industrious citizen knows
and realizes 70 say that this is the account which
the republican party can render of itself is simply
TO repeat familiar chapter of history. And to say
that this party is entitled TO the confidence of the
community, is simply to ask for that consideration
to which every faithful public servant is entitled.
In view Of what hes already been done, it does
not seem that the republican party Of Massachusetts,
is called upon to give any new pledges or to pre-
pare for new DEPARTURE Whatever may be its
faults and failures, It is entitled to that re-
spCetfGl hearing ana Charitable regard which good
general character always receives, and which are
reluctantly and slowly bestowed upon a doubtful
reputation. Can 1t be supposed that party be-
leving in education and morality Us the best foun-
dations OF society, would fail to inquire after and
seeure the best methods of social reform? The adj
voCates and friends of yiftte and temperance know
well that to the great mass of the virtuous and
temperate of this commonwealth, the principles and
traditions of the republican party are as dear as the
tenderest memories of trial and sacrifice make
them. They know well that to the republican par
ty moreover belong great numbers of rtformers.
who believe in good order and high tone society
and who enforce their reforms By precept and prac-
tice alike. They know too, what INF, parfy has
done TO encourage the people in the exercise OF
good habits, by every appeal, and by wise and pru-
dent legislation. In the accomplishment of every
reform, the republican purity UG,rs an encouraging
opportunity for every man within its own ranks.
Standing as does upon certain great general princi
pies of government, IN which the civil rights of ALL
the highest and the lowest are recognized il womb
encourage all in their refOrmatory work. 1t holds
a ivt m ,..a43.
which have accomplished vast service in mans
progress; and its platform is broad enough to ins
clude all who have the welfare Of mankind most at
heart. 1t has not reached that stuge of life when
its weaknesses and defects outweigh its strength
and its usefulness, and when the highest DOlitical
virtue is for its own sons to ignore and DEFY it, II
is yet in the vigOr of youth with its work but half
accomplished, and furnishing no excuse for that
vigorous destruction which is properly applied to
decayed and worn out structure.
II Is not always an indication of political puritv
to organize party on side issue. 1t is not ALWAYS
an indication of sound craftsmanship. to set M On
ones own account. 1t is by no means dlfHcnlt Ia
sheer at religious and political devotion; and TO an
ply the names of partyhack and bigot to those who
devoted and faithful But il is difficult TO exrr
else wisdom and prudence and courage In guiding
the councils of great party, or to that conSumma-
tiOn for which 1t Is designed. There is a time in
every finite existence, when there is no opport1ni-
ty for renewed life, but in destruction and decay
But that hcur has not yet arrived 10 that Marty
which having purified our civil SYSTEM is now en-
gagged In the harder toll of erecting sound civil
reason to suppose that this party will fail in the
work of reform. That it has labored and is still
aboring, as it should. to suppress ntemberanee let
its record bear witness. That ID has onaund tIo
doors the discussion of suffrage for ALI and for
the accomplishment OF the brOadest foundation for
the exercise of this right every advocate of female
suffrage knows well. That il recognizes the rights
aud necessities of labor, all the methods If has as
tablished in this commonwealth aud In the country
to inquire into the condition Of the laboring people
and to bring those, young and old, who live BY daily
and danf
ton, give ample testimony. That Il would elevate
the civil service of the country the opportunity if
has afforded those interested in this reform bv leo.
lslatlve and executive courtesy, is fresh in the
memory of all cOnversant with public affairs What
it has already done in these various directions is
but an earnest of what it is TO do in the future
guided and impclled by that spirit which has thus
far animated it, and which is its natural inheritance
As Macaulay says of modern science: "Its law is
progress. point which yesterday was invisible is
its goal to-day and will be its starting point to-
morrow"
The demands upon party like this, from COM
munlty like ours are great and sometimes embar-
RAISING. The spirit of investigation which roas
with the spirit of progress and REFORM is not easily
satisfied For people thus inspired, the best sys
tens OF educatlon OF state, and of society must he
provided. The requirement Is that the laws of
health should be fixed, that the best and cnpanest
systems Of travel and transportation should be Sc
cured that all reformatOry institutions should be
well conducted, that prison discipline should be hu-
name and effective, that poverty and Inisfortunn
should be kindly cared for; this Is the requirement
The danger is that all these things NAV be carried
TO excess; and It becomes one important dnty of .
great party, holding in its hands the desfinies of
commonwealth like ours, to see that the most rigid
economy Is exercised IN every department of the
state government The responsibility resting unon
those who administer the public affairs of 1ponIe
generous and liberal as they are nrosnar6,is
should never be forgotten by those into whose
hands this service falls. An economical admins
tration the state demands; an economical admins
traiOn the republican party can secure in time tn
come as ii has done in time past
Not, however, upon the future welfare of this
commonwealth alone, but upon the future welfare
OF the country also, may the action of tho rpnuhIi
can party of Massachusetts in this camnoirn nyert
an important influence. Three years ago 1fgssachn.
sets gave General Grant an overwhelming majority
for the presidency, confident of his patriotic pteG-
rlty and wisdOm-and believing in tine doctrines of
the platform upon which he was nomInatpd In
that great political contest he represented the marty
which had declared for free citizenship and mnaT-
tial suirage for financial honor and against repu-
dlaion in any form; in sympathy with the soldiers
and sailors Of the war, pedging the nation 40
and orphans of the saiD;" declaring that anotural
lied citizens are euttled TO be protected in ali thor
rights of citizenship, as though they were native
bOrn;" and expressing their Sympathy with nil
oppressed people who are struggling for their
rights" Upon these doctrines he has conductnd
MS administration Coming into power at the close
OF an era of disorder and confusion he has restored
the states then hanging the verge of the govern
nent, to their proper position, has established good
order WITHIN their limits has secured to the loyal
men their "tree citizenship and impartial sufrape
and with an admirable minging of moderation
and resolute action, has labored to suppress ali
disturbances and all lawiessness His financial
policy has become the admiration of the world
Ills foreign policy has set an example of peacnful
adjustment of international difficulties which
adds brilliant chapter to our diplomatic history
and teaches mankind valuable lesson of humane
and Christian negotiation. And he has placqd fhe
American nation i'll the fore front among ali tho
prosperous and powerful. OF all this high and hon
orable work of finance and diplomacy, NIassachu
sets has had q distinguished share She has not
only beheld with pride and satisfaction the advance
of her political faith throughout the length and
breadth of the land but she has also added to ber
long list of illustriOus sons new names which will
endure so long as grateful people shall remember
the successes Of this first truly republican admins
trafion since the close of the war; administra-
ton which is securing to the American people all
the fruits of that great contest Following now fhe
example of those powerful and important states
which has Just set an approving seal upon the acts
OF the republican party and General Grants admin
ltration, 1t becomes her to rally in her strength for
the great and good cause Let it never be said that
Pennsy lyana and Ohio are in advance of Alassachu
sets. Let all party divisions cease. Let every re.
publican remember that the commonwealth de-
mands his service for her own honor aud in the first
step she Is to take towards that national campaign
which is to vindicate her career in the family of
states confirm the policy of her ustrious living
statesmen, and shed new light around the memory
Of her hallowed dead.
GEO b. loRING, Salem Chairman
GEo. 5. MERRILL, Lawrence, Secretary
WIN. w. RICE, Worcester,
JAMES 5. LEWIS, Lynn,