Saint Mary's beacon., 1873-04-03
fCeMxCxrcArEp.

Of mine. published ia yoor psper Of the
Goth Of February. uls. To scme 10 the
matter in issue between rs at once. let ~
see what have advanced and -hat STArE's
RIsnTs has contested. After uncovering
what I suppose to be the true political sit
uation in our eounty-a situation the cor.
rect description Of which Srarx's RIcnrs
docs no. question: proceed to point oat
t~o alternatives As only open to our party
in the coming contest for Office in our coun.
ty. And just here I will remark that the
quarrel Of SrATE's RIGnrs is not with eiih-
er Of these alternatives. regarded as de-
ductions. but with the supposed wrong one
which advocate in preference to the sup
posed right one which he favors. here
resiate the alternatives to elicit clear un-
derstanding Of the suhject.matier Of diff
ference between Us.
"The first alternative is. to unfurl onr
old party flag and fight the fght.out in
spite Of inevitable defeat-and the other.
to make the lest arrangement with the en-
emy for the protection Of our local and
State interest We can"
Now. | understand the position Of STArE's
RIonTs to be. that no arrangement. even
though II be the "bcst." for no purpose.
even though i, be "for the protection Of
our local aud State interest" ought to be
made in our county with Republicans If it
could be or could be made If it ought to
be. I mean to state the position Of SrArE's
RIGHTS fairly and believe I have done
50. With regard to the FIRST proposition.
!, should be borne in mind that the 6ght
is to be fought with the certainty Of de-
feat before US This is 4 demoralizing
prospect. one would think. to commence
with. As a fact. all men know. if our
party nominate for public Office as it did
10 II. it engages in an enterprise without
a single rational hope Of a successful is
sue. And any system Of strict party con-
centra,ion-a party concentration which
ignores Republicans altogether and con-
fines its favors to democrats alonc-will
result as fatally as an open party nomina-
tion. Whatever it may be TO others. the
lesson of II is lesson enough for me. II.
then, the Convention or Greeley party has
expectation or desire to make itself felt in
the distribution of public Office in our coun-
ty or to secure position for fair or any
proportion Of its own following. we must
consent TO make common cause with such
Republicans as are willing to make com
mon cause with US. But had forgotten.
This would be sacrificing principle to ex.
pcdieney and would be nothing less than
bargaining and combining with the enemy
for Office. So be it. lam practical man
and have always preferred half loaf or
even slice to no bread at all. Princi-
pie To-day. the grca, bulk Of our par
ty is much nearer to temperate Republi-
canism tLan it is to the wre,ched drivcl.
ing aud Bourbonism Of Louisville. Your
eyes nor mine. Mr. STATES RIGurs. will
ever witness the miracle Of revolution,
SO clearly marked and distinctly defined
Is that which has occurred in this country
within the last decade. going backwards.
Many of the governmental views of the
Fathers have already passed into abstrac.
tions. Others will soon follow. II is the
order Of nature. THE old order chang.
eth. giving place to new. and God fulflls
Himself in many ways" Brother mine.
come down from lofty heroics. act in the
living present. aud have done with ana
chronisms in politics.
But will the Republicans. having clear
majority. consen, to divide power in the
county with the Convention or Greeley
party SrArk's R,ours ridicules the idea.
They are not The people. be thinks. Ito
do quite SO generous thing, In my 6rst
communication. pa, myself to some trou-
bic to show from public announcements.
that there were very many more Republi.
cans ready to take Office in this county than
there were Offices to take. Has it never sug-
gcs,cd itself to my oppcnen. that Rcpub-
licans. like Democrats, might be found
who wculd consent to win Office a. the ex.
pense ofParty discipline and organization
If.is has not. hs has something yet to
learn Of the selfish anatomy of party fol-
lowings. Are Republicans less liable to
the seductive Influences Of place and pow
CT than democr-ts? Ny brother will
scarcely answer this question Affirmative
ly. But il he does not, how can he ac-
count FOR or explain the fact tha, the demo.
cratic party with clear m.jority OF $50
in 1870 was reduced to minority party
in 1871? If no other reason existed for
an arrangement with Republicans in the
coming contest for Office in this county, it
is sufficient for me that ID viii present an
opportunity to ray back and pay OF few
at least Of the patriots" who sold on. The
party two years ago. aud now and here l
declare. ifI am reduced to tire necessity
of elee,ine between The buyer and the SCI
ier shall accent the bnxsr w;,hont n