New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-08-08
The Old Issues.

One of the many sophisms frequently re-
sorted to by that wing Of the Liberals VINO
still pretend to sail under the colors OF true
Republicanism. is the assertion that present
contest has been narrowed down to per-
sonal issue between the candidates. Since
they are not ready yet to advocate openly
Democratic doctrines most offensive to
any Republican, they point at the Liberal
Democratic platform, at its planks recognlz-
ing the validity of all amendments to the
Constitution and their results, and ask what
fault the most Radical Republican can ind
with it? Then Mr.. Greeley's past is
triumphantly dwelt upon and contrasted
with General Grants Democratic antece-
dents, distorted by falsehoOds of every de-
scription, and the question is put: (which OF
the two men is more worthy of the confidence
of the people, the lifelong Republican, or the
convert of few years standing"" This
arguments transparent sophistism in every
parts particularly calculated to blind and
confuse that class of supplemented people
who still entertain such respect for the
written and printed word that they will take
on faith great many things which their own
reason and experience would utterly disprove
if they would only so to the trouble of con-
sulting them Unfortunately, however, the
number Of those believers in written author
ity is very large, and for their sake it cannot
too often be repeated that the contest now IN
progress is as much as ever one of parties and
principles. True, the Democratic platform
promises to accept in good faith the results OF
the war; but this promise is very cheap
concession, as far as it partly refers to ac-
complished facts which it is beyond human
power to undo, while on some other points
a large field would be left open for attempts
to evade and counteract all those laws and
measures which need the hand of friendly
Government until they are established be-
yond any peradventure, and have become in
herent parts of our institutions. Neither
Democrat nor Republican thinks it possible
that slavery will ever be re-established, and
since the Democracy has been made by force
to swallow and digest the bitter pill, it is no
great hardship to admit the fact.
1t is neither probable that even Demo-
cratic Congress with Democratic Admins
tration will dare formally to repeal the ff-
teenth amendment; yet it would, neverthe-
less, be virtually reduced to a nullity. The
old States rights heresy-the cornerstone OF
Democracy-is to be indicated, as a matter
Of course, and if the extreme Democratic
States should choose to make the fifteenth
amendment practically imperative by re-
strictiye local laws, intimidation, OdiOus tests
and conditions, can it reasonably be expected
that the ruling party will be inclined to sac
rifice its most cherished fundamental doctrine
for the vindication Of a law whose passage
the whole party opposed as unit: There
is, further, neither promise nor evidence that
the Democrats have given up some Of their
ret schemes, which hitherto they have had
no chance to carry out, and on which the
trainers of the platform have observed a di-
plomatic silence. They accept the situation
they say, but what assurance do they give us
that they will not attempt to force on the ma.
ton the assumption of the confederate debt
the paying Of compensation to shareholders,
and of pensions to rebel soldiers We dc
not find fault with the regular Democrats il
they endeavor to secure the passage of these
and kindred measures which they have al
ways openly advocated; but where is the
slightest foundation for the pretense of Re-
publicanism, unless we find it in the talk
about reform and the hypocritical outcry Of
virtuous indignation about Republican cor.
ruption and fraud. If, however, we were
even inclined to believe in the sincerity
in the professions Of honesty made by
the Democrats, we should have to accept
them merely on the strength of their prom
ises in spite of their past record, while tho
Republicans have been Oh trial for nearly
twelve years, and have faithfully redeemed
all their pledges. Wherever, since that time
have the Democrats set the example o
their boosted honesty, when they had Tho
chance? Did they show it in their manage
ment Of affairs in New York, where the,
had absolute control, and within two year.
swelled the debt to an unprecedented amount
hs a set-off to Mr.. Boutwell,, who, mean
while, has been paying the national debt al
iutS vi SNCi -hIc tlt
frauds practiced in 1868 at the Presidential
election in New Y ork, or those through which
Connecticut came near being lost lately, Of
Republican or Of Democratic growth? Where
personal issue IN all this?
Yet it is not to be denied that in this con.
est, as in all others, the personal character
f the principal standard-bearers is of great
Importance. The cry Of >"Grant office
olders" has become watchwOrd at whicl
SSgy virtuous Liberal or Democrat goes
Rough certain attitudes and facial distor.
pns, expressive Of disgust and Indignation
et what is there in the army of hungry
emocrats and Republican sOreheads so par.
cularly attractive, or are the Blairs,
Fooks, Woods, HOdmans, Cochranes, Clays