Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-02
THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN,
PARTY. a s-~e

/ l
with the enemies of the Republican party
to saw that IFS mission is ended and that
it must now give place to some other or
ganization.
Undoubtedly the great work which in
spired the earlier years Of the party has
been contaminated. Slavery has been
abolished; the equal rights Of all the men
of the republic have been established; all
the questions which led TO the war and
which grew out of the war except the
financial question, have been settled
With such achievements the party might
relinquish the field and go into history
with prouder record than any other can
show
But there could be no greater mistake
than to assume that because these ques-
tons are settled the work of the Repub-
lican party is finished and its career must
come to an end. The fallacy lies in over
looking the vital fact that there is always
new work to be done and that so long as
the Republican party does this better than
any other party is likely to do, it will be
continued in power If it meets tile pres
ent and future demands with the same
success as the questions of the past, or if
it be apparent that nothing can be gained
by a change, then its position is secure.
The mission Of a party-and especially of
party in power-is not bounded by any
specific questions. 1t embraces the whole
scope of administration and is measured
by the successful conduct Of general adj
ministrative work as well as by the course
of special issues.
The questions of the present time are
entirely different from those which have
divided the country in the past. But the
Republican party has moved with the
march of events and is as equal to present
demands as it was to past requirements.
More than ever the people are governed
by practical considerations. If the Re-
publican party has not yet fully solved the
currency problem, the people ask them
selves whether anything better or so good
could be expected from the Democratic
party or from any new organization. II
there are developments of corruption in
special places. the people have abundant
evidence before them that with the oppos-
ing party in power, it would be incalcula-
bly, worse. If there is need of reform and
of progressive legislation, the hope is
stronger with the Republican party than
any other.
Apply any practical test that may be
presented, and this conclusion must inn
press itself upon the popular mind. Take
the currency question, and while the
action of the Democratic party was as bad
as it could be, Republican Administers
ton saved the country from the plunge OF
indefinite expansion, and will sooner OF
later bring the Republican majority oil
Congress up to the right kind of legisla-
ton. Look at the matter in whatever
light We may-whether of past history OF
present tendencies or controlling influ-
ences-there is nothing to gain and every
thing to lose by changing from Repub
lican to Democratic rule. Itis SO OF every
other question. If corruption shows its
front, the Republican party has the nerve
TO probe and correct it. Whatever delin-
quency may appear on the part of individ-
uals, whatever mistakes may be made,
whatever need there is of insisting on a
higher standard. it is true that the Repub-
lican party may be more safely trusted
than any other. And SO long a. this re-
mains so, its career is onward"