Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-10-11
The Political Situation.

The Eastern king in the fullness of his
power had the death's-head laid daily be-
for, him to remind him Of his mortality.
The Republican party, now absolutely SUI
preme, may wisely consider its situation.
Its career is the noblest chapter in our his
tory. Ii has maintained the Union, it has
abolished slavery, and by the reelection OF
General Grant it has virtually destroyed
the Democratic party, whose principles in
the resolution of '93 covertly justified Sc
cession, and whose policy was the extension
and perpctuation of slavery. The Repub-
lican dominance is to-day in no danger from
any other existing and efficient party or
ganization. No reversal of Its great meas
ures is proposed. No antagonistic nation
al policy is suggested.
The danger of the Republican party is
not from without, but from within. 1t is
not wise to forget that considerable vote
was cast last year for General Grant under
protest, and that the object of that vote
| has been achieved The intelligent and
! conscientious opinion, which has always
been and is now tho Republican strength,
! is very independent, and wears lightly the
party cockade. 1t does not value the par
! tv. but the purpose for which it has been
sustained The best men in the country
have supported the Republican party, be-
cause they felt that by so doing they sery-
ed In the most practicable way liberty and
public morality. And 80 long as they feel
| this they viii continue TO support ii. But
when they cease to feel it the party can
count upon them no longer. Vain viii be
the thunder of the party tom-tOm. 1t has
no terror for those who do not seek place
or plumber, The Union is not now iniperil-
ed. Emancipation is secure. Reputation
is a dream. The reelection of the Presi-
dent has dissipated the hope Of reaction
The Republican party is not now bound
| together by the overshadowing dangers OF
| the recent years, and it can therefore main
tain its present nnquestiOned ascendcncy
ouly by the character of its administration
If it should he seen that the national pa
/ tronage controls local politics more and
more. despite the claim of reform of the
civil service; if recognized representatives
of the national administration in she vari
Gus States and in Congress should not com
mand, because they would not deserve gen
eral respect and confidence if continuous
Republican victories at the polls should
not stay the torrent of corruption. and
bring the best character, ability; training
and experience into the management o.
public afairs-then the earnest patriotism
that made the RePshkesn party would
make another. which wenld gloriously con
time the work that the Republican party
gloriously began.
Every Republican, however, who knows
the practical value of an existing and effi
Gent organization, and who honors tn
party name and tradition, will do what h'
can TO have the party represented by 1t
best men and held to its highest aim. Phi
can be done only by refusing to supper
improper nominations, however Irregular
they may be, and by vigorously censurin:
all improper action upon the part of Re
representatives.. Let every voter remembe
that managers do not make party, an'
that the snly way to control them is to de
feat them. If they find that bad men ar
not supported, they will nominate goo'
men. And If, by the refusal to support thei
action, the opposition succeeds, it Is tn
managers. not the voters, who are respon
sible. This kind of Independence was new
or so easy as il is now. The present dut,
Of Republicans is not so much to supper
the party as to insist and to take care tina
the party shall be worthy of support.