Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-09-10
Democratic Policy.

We lay aside our Democratic ex-
changes, and admit confusion of
ideas never before experienced. A
few years ago we could locate Dem
ocracy in our sleep but now, with
our eyes open, and in full possession
OF all our faculties, we are puzzled
to know where to fiud it. In vain
we read the State addresses of the
unterrified; the more we read the
more we become befogged and like
a skipper in the midst of a New
foundland fog bank, we are forced
to guess at the situation, and accept
with caution everything we hear and
see. Like the bill posters dream,
we see protection, free trade, infa-
ton, contraction, paper money, spe-
| Gle payments, redemption and repu
diation pass before US in such hope
less confusion that we despair ofind-
ing but one point of agreement
among our Democratic brethren, and
that one, opposition to the Republi-
can party. We believe on this one
point the Democracy of the country,
from Maine to California, are unite d.
They are willing to accept any creed,
preach any doctrine, abide by any
faith, to effect the overthrow of the
Republican party. In one section
they favor The practical reputation
of che public debt as the easiest way
to tighten the burden of taxation !;
in another way they would have the
nation keep faith with It's creditors,
and do away with all promises to
pay by single stroke of Iegislatio n.
La the South they would use the
party to check the growth of intelli-
gence among the blacks, and in the
North they agree to accept the sit
uation and favor the education of all
classes. They clamor everywhere
for what they term a constitutional
exercise of personal liberty, and yet
denounce as an invasion OF their
rights any effort on the part of the
General Government to protect and
secure the exercise of personal liber-
ty on the part of our citizens every
where. While standing ready to
applaud the Government in it's efforts
to protect O single citizen in a for
egn land, they stand equally ready
to denounce as tyranical the protec-
ton of American citizens in our own.
In word, the Democratic policy to-
day is without policy, except the
vague one contained in five words 4:
Opposition to the Republican party.
Yet to tens Of thousands Of thought
less men this one declaration is suffi-
cient to unite them in a combined
movement to overthrow the party
in power They never stop to ask
why they seek it's overthrow, or to
speculate on the consequence which
would follow The destruction of
our financial system the deprecia-
ton of our credit at home and
abroad; the terrible danger which
would threaten our newly-made cit
liens the paralyzation of our COM
mercial, mercantile, manufacturing
and agricultural interests, are Moth
ing to them compared to party sue
cess. 1t is from this class of IN.
thinking men, who blindly follow
the fortunes of Democracy, that we
have most to fear. To defeat their
combinations, and thus turn aside
the deadly weapon which they
would aim at the heart of the Re-
public, calls for the closest union of
patriotism and intelligence-a union
which arises above mere partisan
ship, which has for its object and
aim the safety of the nation and the
advancement of civilization. Our
greatest danger lies in our over.
whelming strength. 1t tends to
beget a feeling of security which
may prove fatal to our cause. In
the presence of an active and un-
scrupulous enemy we should have
no point unguarded. A thorough
organization of our forces should be
completed in every town, city and
State.-Egery thoughtful man who
has weighed the consequences of
Democratic rule should be urged to
Join hands In the common defence.
Local issues should be laid aside un-
til the national work is over. Keep
the general Government in the
hands of true men, and with this as
sured we can settle local questions
at our leisure. Remember the polit-
ical battle to be fought this fail has
for its sake the House of Representa-
tives. Permit Democracy to gain a
foothold there and the wheels OF
progress will be turned back at lea st
score of years. Washington Re
public.