Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-03-06
The Republican Party.

The Republican Party.
The Republican party is passing
through the most critical period of its
existence. II has had a most remarkable
and wonderfully successful career since
Its first national triumph In 1860. II pre-
served the nation against one of the most
powerful rebellions which ever threat
ened the existence of any government. II
established system of currency which
was almost perfect in its character, and
which resulted in preserving the pros
perity of the people and the credit of the
Government at home and abroad. 1t has
gradually reduced taxation and at the
same time diminished the national debt
Internal Improvements have been en-
couraged, all classes of business have
prospered, and no nation ever made such
progress as that which has characterized
the American people since the Govern
ment passed into the hands of the Re.
publican party; and this, too, under cir
cumstances of the most adverse character
That the Republican party has made
some mistakes there can be no doubt;
but these have been Insignificant in char
acter and unimportant III their effects
compared with the grand achievements
which have characterized the history of
the party. Corrupt men have sometimes
obtained position in the party, but they
have been exposed and punished by
Republicans--a fact which should
commend the party to the confidence and
support of all honest and true men. 1t is
the strongest possible evidence of the fact
that the masses of the party and its lead
ers are pure, patriotic, and determined
that the Government shall be honestly
administered. Corrupt men always
seek an alliance with the party in power,
and the Republicans have had much
to contend with through the influ-
ence of this class of men; but it has cast
them out whenever and wherever found.
1t has shown disposition to purify itself
to exact honesty and faithfulness on
the part of all public officers. 1t has
sought by every possible means to pro.
mote the interests and welfare of the peo
pie by the adoption of such measures as
were best calculated to stimulate business
enterprises, develop agricultural and
mineral wealth, and encourage the educa-
tional interests of all classes of society.
What more could any party do than
has been done by the Republicans? What
stronger evidence of patriotism and un-
selfish devotion to the best interests of the
people could be presented than is afforded
by the records of the Republican party !?
Upon every page of its history is recorded
achievements which have added to the
prosperity of the people and the strength
of the natien. The few mistakes made
only serve to bring more prominently to
view the general good character and
works of the party.
Notwithstanding this unparalleled rec
ord, there are persons who threaten to
desert the Republican party and devote
their energies to the formation of new
organization. And why? Simply be-
cause this one wants change in our cur.
rency system, and that one desires the
enactment of laws designed to secure i'm
mediate reduction in transportation rates.
While we earnestly desire such change
in our currency as may be required to
give it the much-needed elasticity, we
could not think of abandoning the party
merely because the present Congress
might not afford the relief demanded
Better wait and see that the next Congress
is composed of the right kind of men.
And so with cheap transportation. If the
present members of Congress fail to grasp
this question, or cannot appreciate its i'm.
portance, their successors may be equal
to the emergency. We believe that most
of these needed reforms may be secured
through the Republican party better than
in any other way. No new organization
can bring about the results desired so
speedily or satisfactorily. 1t takes time
and costs many mistakes to organize and
place a new party in good working con-
dition. All this may be avoided by seek
ing remedy for the evils complained of
through the Republican party.
The Republican members of Congress,
by needing the plain dictates of duty and
obeying the voice of the people, may
readily induce the friends of an improved
currency system and the advocates of
cheap transportation to look to the Re-
publican party for the success of their
measures and the protection of the inter.
ests of the people. 1t is not necessary for
us to express an opinion as to the conse-
quences which may follow failure on
the part of Congress to comply with the
demands of the people for relief from a
contracted currency and freight monopo.
lies. That the people will hold each
member of Congress responsible for his
acts upon these questions, no one can
doubt. But the Republican party must
not be made responsible for the short.
comings of few of its servants. The
party itself is right upon both of these
issues, and on the first suitable occasion
it will demonstrate that fact. We there
fore urge the friends of these reforms to
pause and carefully consider the situation
ere they take a step calculated to place
them in antagonism to the party which
has preserved the Government, established
freedom, and encouraged and protected
the interests of the people-IoledO Blade.