Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-08-28
- ew Series-Vol. 13. No 90
The Issues of To-nax

The gross imp0sture of brin~;no
william Allen as q sainted Democrot :
statesman ofa sanity Dem ocratic tim
10 expunge the record of the Dem
cratic party for the last quarter cent,
ry. made it necessary that we sboul
ten who ne was, and the character ,
ms partisan life. The attempt truste
that his real political character ha
oeen covered by Oblivion. 1t took n
a partisan who needed oblivion 1
make him cover with oblivion tn
course OF the Democratic party sine
ne went down. The imposture de
manded exposure. But the contest /;
with the Democratic party of TODAY
ana with its character as established h,
the evidence of its acts in present anc
recent conditions of the country. anf
we shall not be diverted from this to ,
controversy over the party issues of the
time when Mr.. Allen strutted and lel.
lowed his brief time upon the stage.
Mr. Allen himself struck the chord
OF the present issues when In his sere-
made speech he justified the course OF
the Northern Democratic party in the
war OF secession as patriotic and neces-
sary, and described the Republican
party as moved by an unbridled fury
which aimed, not at the restoration Of
.ne Union, but at the destruction of the
South. He has presented the PROPOSE
tion that the Republican party. which
saved the Union by conquerinr the
rebellion, had the criminal purpose to
destroy it, and that the Democratic
party, which resisted every measure
for the public defense, was the real
saver of the republic. No forgettal of
oygones is asked for the Democratic
party, but the Republican party is to
be condemned for itsspirit and conduct
In the war, and the Democratic is to he
pnt in its place as deserving the ap-
piause OF the people by its course in
that struggle of the country for exist
ence.
We accept Mr.. Aliens proposition. |
II the course OF the Democratic party in |
the civil war was right, that of the Re-
publican party was SO wrong that Ian
guage fails to describe its criminality,
ana no matter how free from blame
may have been its conduct of affairs
since the war, it should be sent into re-
tirement for its irredeemable past. If. i
on the other hand, the course of the
Republican party in the war was right.
then that OF the Democratic party was
reasonable and treacherous to the
country when its very existence was at
stake by war And one conviction of Z
to country suffices for a t
political party in popular govern g
ment. 1t should be infamous forever. ,
and public morality do not q
allow thatsuch party shall exist save
's monument of infamy. L
We accept Mr.. Aliens presentation
u the Democratic party of to-day as :
ne same that tried to tie the hands of|
ne government while secession was
reaking up the Union, and as basinp
Il claim to be trusted with govern
nent upon its record in the war and its p
onduct since that time. And we will
lgiy concede that its character since Il
ne war has been according to its record
1t. 1t is just as worthy to be trusted
nth the administration of affairs now az
1t was in the darkest hour of the
ruggle, when Democratic secession til
40 the nation by the throat, and the
orthern Democratic party was trying 81,
hamstrfng its defenders. 1t has
own no worse since that time, and no !
liter. 1t has done nothing to entitle DO
to more confidence, and it could do ro'
,thing to make its character worse. .
IL Is true it has several times assumed CHI
se shapes to deceive the people, and Sill
s JAILED ignominiously. But if in
y OF these it pretended to any change Z
nature-any conversion-any regen- a, u.
alton, it has now abandoned the pre- o''
'se and has placed itselfon its party /"
'ordand character. Whathas it to offer an
a reason why the people should trust be
1t has no example of anything it 6.
done. 1t has no evidence of its ca. tho
,ity to do anything. Wherever it adi,
got into exceptional control in the
ties or counties, its performance is !
exhibition of the lowest partisan at
rit, and of utter corruption and in dea
acity. n
mas long platform made up of give
titudes, Of palterings in a double witt
Sc, OF simulated promises that the doll
Democratic party win make the D.
eminent a father, protector, and - -
ntar dac,orot;o~s 81, .... 'culieu WIN 81 o.
At shall abandon paternalism and ''Ne'
lection, and reduce its functions to A
linistering equal justiee-to the bus dire,
$ Of the Justice of the Peace and gent
constable. But even if it had pre- her
ed ever so long list of fair prom A,
are the promise ofa party that has nonr
ling received as currency? What snn
not a party, SO desperate with dis u,h;.
e as the Democratic, promise out of !. ~
public effects to pay for being raised
'wer? We are mindful of a leader Tb
at party who once tried TO procure Gaze
!nccment by offering to give the his h
le world for 1t. he hs
zen in the easy role of opposition, his et
party has not been able to develop A,
pI,hcipies or policy. The only day S
'sition it has manifested is to get aod y
). uie AZ oiuer' rum. VINO can de- erabl,
rs Posi.,on on single real ques- don't
of public policy-currency, tariff,
r. debt hanks ro;,ro.a. ..,.. Tru