National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-08


The Democratic party Of Ohio have re-
solved to 90 1t alone this year. Yesterday
morning We printed In full the platform and
ticket Of the convention that has Just been
held at Columbus. SO far as the latter Is con-
ccrned, Il Is undoubtedly one Of the best that
has been put In nomination for several years.
The candidates for the various Offices, from
Governor down, are all men Of high charac-
ter and excellent reputation. So far rs the
platform is concerned, 1t would be hardly
possible to have made worse one. There 10
not single new Idea In 1t; not tho faintest
appreciation Of the great and pressing ques-
tions Of the hour. It Is platform upon which
Il would seem Impossible TO win. II 10 q mere
tumble Of platitudes and hlgh-sounding
phraces--au epitoms Of the usual convention
literature that we have boon reading and lis
teuing to for years.
Starting out with tho declaration that tho
Democratic party seeks to revive no dead
issues 1t rambles on from platitudo to plati-
decentralization, tho strict construction
OF the Constitution, the rights Of the States,
Individual liberty, and 30 forth--a rigmarole
OF buncombo which Is only calculated to de-
celye and bamboozle the ignorant, and to
disgust and ALLEVIATE all Intelligent and
thoughtful men. We had expected somc-
thing better from q convention whose chief
inspiration was found In so distinguished
statesman rs Mr.. Thurman; which repro
sentcd party that Is by all odds tho most
progressive and liberal wing OF the national
Democratic party. This barronness OF politi-
cal ideas only shows that the Democratic
party has no ground whatever for existence
except rs mere opposition to tie party In
power, aud especially to President Grant. 1t
occupies no distinctive Geld OF Its own; 1t
represents no great national idea, except
Ii DO free trade, and upon that there Is as
great q diversity Of opinion In tho Demo-
eratie party n there is In the Republican
party upon the question Of protection. In
Pennsylvania the Democracy support pro-
tectiye tariff just US strongly rs the Repub-
licans. Tho same is true Of tho party In
Virginia and Maryland. Leaving out tho
tariff there Ia nothing in this Ohio platform
worth u moment's consideration. The an-
nouneement that tho Democracy seeks to
revive no dead issues may be true OF Ohio,
but 10 certainly Is not true Of the same party
In Virginia, Alabama and other Southerl
States, where the keynote OF the coming cam.
paigns Is "a white mans Government"
This latest manifesto will be 4 dissppolnt-
ment to Democrats everywhere, especially to
those who are hoping to soc the party occupy
higher and more distinctive ground on the
real vital questions that ore pressing for pub.
lie consideration aud solution. There, for
instance, Is the transportation question, which
occupies the attention of the farming classes
at the present time almost to the exclusion Of
every other topic. What does the Columbus
couyention say on this point' Tho following
magnificent specimen Of political clap-trap
and insubstantiality: "Resolped, that al
though always constituting a large majority
of the American people, the agriculturists
have never demanded of the Government,
State or Federal, any privilege; have never
infested the halls of Congress or the
Legislature with lobbyists aud rings (;
on the contrary, have suffered undue dis
elimination and unjust laws until forbcar-
ance has ceased to DO virtue. We hereby
pledge our services and honest efforts to OBJ
tain for them redress Of thoir grievances and
equal and exact Justice" Wa cannot con-
ceivc Of anything more windy and hol-
bow. What the farmers OF the West want
are cheap lines Of water communication to
the scaboard; these they have demanded In
nearly thousand meetings during the last
ssI months. Mr.. Thurman and his conyen-
ton lodges the whole question, md Offers
them only n meaningless promise In two or
three well-turned sentences. We shall be
much disappointed II the farmers OF the West
will be content with Mr.. Thurmans husks of
rhetoric.
The contest In Ohio Is likely to be very
close one, but there Ia very little reason to
doubt that the Republicans will succeed IL
electing their Governor and majority Of the
Legislature. The new party will, In all
probability, draw considerable number Of
votes from the Democratic ranks. That II
will make any impression whatever on the
Republican party 10 not to bo thought Of
Outside of Hamilton county II has really
very Little strength. There, II anywhere, II
will make Its hest impression, and 4 triumph
there would DO very likely to give II the
balance Of power In the Legislature, and
thereby the casting vote In the election of a
United States Senator to succeed Mr.. Thur
man. The whole campaign will be full OF
signihcance and Importance. Two of the
three parties have already made their nomi.
nations and platforms, and 10 us u seems
that both Of them have made very seriou:
blundcrs-tho Democrats In their hollow
sham Of platform, and the new party in
the character Of che men they have selected
20 lead them. The Republicans will do wei
20 profit by these errors Of their opponents.