The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-08-04
Opening the Campaign.

The Republican campaign in Indiana
was formally opened last Friday evening
al Terre Hsute, by Senator Morton, who
made anRb!e and exhaustive argument in
behalf Of the party and its principles. or
course the burden Of his speech was de-
voted to discussion Of issues OF q local
character, Of little or no interest to the
people of other States. His exposition Of
the Democratic party on the Temperance
question was true to the letter-that what.
ever measure may be proposed in any
State or Territory, whereby to diminish
the evils Of intemperance, 1t is sure to
come short Of receiving Democratic sup
port, and the party never fails TO find
some excuse for opposing 1t, though it msy
declare in the same breath for temperance
and reform. Referring TO the charge Of
corruption against the Republican party,
Mr.. Morton said:
Resolutions against corruption are the
cheap clap.trap Of parties. All parties
profess TO be opposed to corruption, and
are ready enough 10 expose and prose-
cute 1t In other parties. The true test OF
an honest party Is its selt-examination,
and the exposure and punishment Of cor.
ruptiou in its own ranks, in its continued
vigilance for selt-purifcalion in doctrine
and practice. Tried by this test the Re-
publican party is distinguished above
every other in this country. Nearly all
that Is known Of corruption in the Re-
publican party has been shown by its own
diligent determination and the prompt
exposure OF every official delinquent who
has been discovered. Nobody believes
that the Democratic party is particularly
sensitive about corruption. In fact, when
Il was in power Il was noted Tor the in
dustry and Ekill with which II covered up
the peculstions Of its own members.
Committees 10 investigate the official con.
duct OF itH own members were so rarely
appointed by Democratic msjorities in
Congress as not 10 be remembered. The
Democratic and Republican parties seem
10 have proceeded upon different princi-
piles for self-deiense and preservation.
The Democratic party sought 10 protect
itself against public opinion by conceal.
ing the delinquencies OF It's members,
while the Republican party has proceed
ed upon the principle that selfexamina-
ton and the exposure and punishment Of
is delinquent members was the best
guarantee oil It's continuance in power.
There are good and bad men In all par.
ties and In all human organizations; and
the bad men will ultimately corrupt .and
take possession OF all organizations unless
they are repressed and brought to pun
ishment The detection and exposure Of
the Credit Aobilier, Sanborn and District
Of Columbia transactions were voluntary
and earnest work OF the Republican party;
and while il may show here and there a
diseased member, yet It clearly reveals
the healthy tone, vigor and condition OF
the mass. e,
The principles and constitution OF the
Republican party put in naturally upon
the side OF temperance as against iptem-
perance, Of freedom as against slavery, Of
the people as against monopoly, Of labor,
free schools, intellectual and moral pro-
gress. Il Is q progressive party, and
whenever 1t ceases to be SO and becomes
conservative, then you may begin 10 talk
about It's mission being performed. II is
qualified 10 grapple with every new issue
that is presented, has its face TO the future,
aud holds that the work oil reform Is It's
normal and necessary condition.
On the financial question, Dir. Morton
eontented himself in showing up the in.
consistency Of the Democratic leaders of
his State, who have resolved in favor OF
an increase Of nearly four hundred mil
lions Of greenbacks With which 10 re.
deem the five-twenty bonds. In the &C.
ton, he charges them with a double re-
pudiStion-frst, by proposing 10 make a
Aew issue Of greenbscks with which 10
pay the fve.twenty bonds; and secondly
BY proposing to repeal the pledge given
inthe act Of 1860, upon the faith Of which
those bonds have been bought and sold
for more than FIVE years,
Mr.. Morton declared his opposition to
the proposed reciprocity treaty with Can.
ada, because he failed to see Id 1t any ad-
vantages 10 be gained BY the whole couu.
Try, and especially thestates Of the North.
vest Beyond this, he thinks there are
political reasons that should render the
approval Of the treaty Of doubtful expe-
diency. Until Canada becomes indepen-
dent Of Great Britain, he Is in-iAvor Of
tteatDgt that country just as any other for.
eign country.
After treating of the importance Of the
transportation question, MIR. Morton con-
In conclusion, am proud 10 s.v ,ha.
while the Republican party NAV have
erred, It has not proved false 10 any eTesi
principle, nor cowRrdly in the presence Of
any great question. It's aims are pohIs
and patriotic, and 1t does not seek a con- |