Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-26
MIR BIRD mud the Re,uhI;c.u PAR,

MIR. Bird, in his recent speeches, tries 10 per-
suade his hearers that the republican party has
outlived its usefulness; that its work is done,
the questions it had to deal with, and which it
handled so wisely, vigorously and thoroughly
are settled, and there is no excuse for its living
any longer. Two years ago a few other people
in Massachusetts were talking in this strain,
and MIR, Bird thought il worth his while to re-
buke them. He then published little cam
paign paper called the Reyeie, edited by him
self alone. In the number Of that paper bearing
the date Of October 3D., 1870, Mr. Bird said:
"If the republican party is in the condition of
the whig party of 1854, which somebody com
pared TO a dilapidated umbrella-useless for
shelter, but il Is impossible TO shut it-let it
disappear. But the essential difference in favor
OF the republican organization is that there is
nothing ready or likely 10 be ready to take its
place. If il gives way now it gives way at once
TO the democratic party, party Of hunkers and
reaetionisis 1t abdicates in favor of a party
which the liberal and progressive and humane
men Of tbS country have again and again ex-
pressed their want OF confidence in. No man
destroys his own house until he has got another
to move into. Who wants to see the old demo-
cratic party reinstated2 Nobody"
Is not this as true now as it was two years
ago? Neither the republican nor the democratic
party has essentially changed since then. The
latter is still the party Of hunkers and reaction
lists; its motives, principles and prejudices are
unchanged. If it has abandoned some of its
earlier aims, ii has done so sullenly, in unwill-
Ing obedience to the irresistible movement of
events which has placed them hopelessy be-
yond its reach. Again Mr.. Bird wrote in the
same article:
"If there is corruption in the party there is
virtue enough in it to drive out the corruption.
II there is moi, 1t is useless 70 look Tor virtue
enough IN any Of the new ones. That this is the
view taken by hundreds Of thousands of the best
men in the land is certain, and this fac. ought
10 go for something. And we affirm that
this instinct, this determination 10 stand by the
splendid party which has saved the country
from rebellion, aud brought ii through all the
perils Of reconstruction with honor, Is correct
one. Ii speaks well for the popular intelligence
and gratitude. The republican party does not
? ask any one TO support 1t simply because il has
done well in the past. II aftirms It's power and
its purpose 20 govern the country well hereafter
When il fails 10 do this, the instinct OF the
people will discover il, and il will fall without a
struggle. But thautine is not yet"
In all this Mr.. Bird twas sincere and earnest
He had not then discovered that "wise instinc,
of the people" which demands change Of
parties as often as once in eight years. All
history teaches this, he says; but if he had
Studied the history OF his own state he nigh
M.have reached a different conclusion. The re
n, ,lican party bias controlled the state govern
kt twice eight years. Mr.. Bird will not deny
Il the people Of Massachusetts arc as quicI
their political instincts, as intelligent, homes
hid patriotic as any, yet they shaw no sign o.
/desirng a change They see no reason why they
should distrust the party which they have 50