The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-29

The Work Of the Republican Party
To-day.


mighty effort to denationalize slavery, by
putting limit to its further spread IN the
United States. 1t followed that aim in
peace, and through the changing scenes Of
bloody struggle and the scarcely less
perilous period of Political reconstruction
which followed the war. As it was called
upon to abolish slavery to prevent future
civil wars, it made the slave citizen to
prevent his return to slavery. Having se-
cured equality of all citizens before the
law, it has guarded against reaction by
constitutional safeguards Of the most sacred
character. The sentiment of the whole
country has come up to the standard which
it erected twenty years ago, and its triumphs
receive an added glory from the conversion
of whole people to the admission that its
cause was just and its principles eternally
true. To-day it holds the destinies Of the
nation in its keeping unopposed and un-
challenged. Shall it now disband and leave
the field to new organizations ? Ifnot, what
shall it now do to vindicate its longer exis-
ence as party What legitimate and
proper work is there for it? We answer
that it should not disband, and we think
there is work worthy Of its grand achieve
ments in the past which summons its
members once more to duty. The
machinery of organization perfected
during years Of trial and the strength
which comes from long service,
together in common cause are not to be
lightly cast aside. II is force conserved,
which ought not to be dissipated but wisely
applied to benifcent purposes. Its imme-
diate duty is made clear, if we observe the
great dangers which to-day confront us as
people. 1t is no longer an army in the
field. It is not even q powerful political
party having designs against liberty.
It is q more dangerous Zoe than ever
met us on the field or the forum. 1t IS
stealing with insidious step into the very
sanctuary Of public liberty and corrupting
the very source of the nations life. III as
that combination Of the money power aoiM
corrupt rings Of political ..adrentarers
sohich now controls our politics and threat
ems to destroy the nation. In the spirit OF
its glorious principles the Republican party
must espouse the cause of the people against
the money po,cer and against the "rings."
1t must begin by putting out of the high
est seats in its councils those men who
come to it allured by the smell of its
flesh pots, and who use its power for cor
rupt purposes. Such are not few. and
their balefnl influence is felt throughout
the country.
The measures required to protect thepeo-
pie from this danger are few and simple.
The greatest engine of oppression from
which we suffer to-day is the monopoly of
money. The enormous price of money is
thus caused. The circulation is controlled
by rings who expand and contract at will.
The people are bled to the last limits Of en-
durance to pile up uncounted millions for
the few. We want free banking and a Cir
culation of national money convertible into
bonds bearing low rate of interest at the
option of the holder. This would lesson
the price of money and breathe new life into
industry everywhere. We must save the
public domain from further monopoly by
great corporations or individuals.
We must come back to Republican
simplicity and economy everywhere. ant
as an earnest of our sincerity begin BY
promptly repeating the Salary Bill Of las
| winter upon which the whole country ha
set the seal of its condemnation. Every
| where and always the Republican part,
must array itself against the powerful
combinations of the money power will
unprincipled demagogues, which noy
struggle to control the government.
| It must address itself earnestly to tn
work of reforming the government in hal
mony with the great advance in know
edge. The old relics of feudalism an
monarchism should be swept from ou
constitution and the power of the peopI
over the government increased. All of
GERS should be elected directly by the PEI
, pie. The federal Judiciary should be mad
accessible to rich and poor alike. III
rotton burroughs Of small states should
abolished and every mans representati'
value equalized in the government. III
Senate, an aristocratic body like the Hou
of Lords in England, is fast filling up wi
men representing vast areas Of savage ter
. tory, and only few thousands of actu
). people -
+ In the state, it must be the party of Ed
cation, local self government against sta
Capitalization, the equitable adjustment
y the state debt, free railroad law, and eve
o measure demanded by material and int
lectual progress. Let it apply to the
A. questions the spirit of its founders and
t. own avowed principles, and it will e
enough to do to occupy its best energies
= the next ten years. In doing this it v
secure its own perpetuity and earn
lie hearty gratitude of mankind.
Let the state convention devote am
time to the consideration of these and k
= dred topics and make bold and intre
| of .lr NO and ,,na..,,.o,