The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-21

There are some Republicans, honest and
earnest in fashion. who seem TO take it
for granted that the party work will be
all done and its mission accomplished in
electing General Grant President for the
next four years. They fail to see the i'm
portance of educating the people into high
er political faith, and Of maintaining every
where an aggressive attitude upon the false
doctrines which it is our mission to over
throw. Yet this is the only way to main
tain the party ascendency, or to keep it in
condition to be of use to- the country.
The condition Of life with men, nations and
organizations is progressive growth. The
people have no use for party which
does not lead them forward to new and
better realizations.
\, The Republican party grew out Of the
necessities Of the nation. Old parties were
false to liberty and progress. They linger-
ed after the first sonset to feed on public
plumber, and they were smitton with de-
struction. They who see in the result Of
this campaign only certain Offices to be
dispensed. may be expected to be impatient
of that work which looks beyond the inn
mediate triumph, to the RELIEF, enlightenment
and progress Of the wholepeople. We are
led to these remarks because we see in some
quarters disposition to make the canvass
Q merely personal one, and especially be-
cause such persons seem to give up all effort
except in those districts where it is quite
certain that candidates can be elected.
r. 1t was not in this spirit or by this road
that the Republican party attained ascend
ency in the nation. From small and feeble
beginnings it rose to commanding power
by devoted, untiring efforts to enlighten
The people, convince their judgments. and
arouse their consciences. 1t put forward
candidates and maintained its organization
everywhere. In districts where there was
no hope OF election, it made the fight all
the hotter and more determined. 1t thus
secured the respect Of its opponents, and
won over the people to its support. A
party whose candidates appear only where
offices are sure, win be distrusted; but
where the battle is fought resolutely upon
principle, though material success may be
hopeless, men of just perceptions will DO
won by the honest purpose and devotion
displayed TO principle. We do not believe
that ali elections are equally important,
and we especially deprecate the carrying Of
national politics into local matters. But
in the present canvass We are very clear
that our party should have standard
bearer everywhere. We want to see the
opposition compelled to meet US on every
| platform, and the people enabled to hear both
sides thoroughly discussed. We deplore
and dcprecate the policy Of shying through
canvass. yagll w eaat s4oN lfAl il
I 1t does very well for those who are only
seeking the spoils. but tits wholly at,war
with the policy of the Republican party,
and unworthy of its splendid record. The
issues Of this canvass are now clearly de-
! fined. Their champions are before the
people. The armies confront each other
along lines which stretch across cont.
INIT. 1t is our daty to see that no part
of our line falls back before the. enemy
without resistance which exhausts all our
resources of defense !; that at every point
the onset is resolnte, determined. and per-
sistent to the last degree. Thus only can
the discipline of tho party be maintained,
and its permanent ascendency secured.
! Let no man fear that faithful work, even