The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-07-18
the triumphs and successes of the Republican

the peaceful solution of national disputes
without resorting to war; that the Republic
can party has extended system Of cheap pos
tage to all nations; has established the hon e.
stead system which has encouraged immi-
grafton; financial policy which has i'm
proved the national credit and at the same
time made large reductions in the burden of
taxation rendered necessary by great war
for which Democratic statesmen were respon-
sible; and has been faithful, now that it has
time to attend TO it. ininvestigatii G abuses
which were planted bef)re the war or grew
up while our energies were engrossed in the
struggle for national existence.
The address clearly demonstrates that if
any party is deserving of continued conf
dence because of its past efficiency and use
fulness the Republican organization is richly
entitled 10 the high consideration, for never
in the history Of political parties has an Or
gaIization or a ministry con iensed into a
single decade such gigantic efforts crowned
by such immense results for a nation and a
race as it has been the fortune of tue Repub-
own. II, on the other hand, any political Or
ganization should be condemned for its blum
ders and crimes as unworthy of future con-
sideration, the Democratic party, as the re-
dictionary organ cation, hostile to every re-
form, and to all progress, could not survive
another campaign.
Passing from the trophies and triumphs of
the past. the Congressional Committee pre-
sent some reasons why the nation should
continue the Republican party in power.
That our readers may judge for themselves
we take the following from the address:
1t is sometimes said the mission Of the Re-
publican party is accomplished. If by that no
more Is meant than that the party has dis
charged every trust heretofore committed to it,
we admit it. 1t has been thought that wien
one was found faithful over few things that
was good reason for trusting him with more
things. Can you do better than be instructed
by such an example? Especially since you
must employ either the party which you say
has fulfilled every trust, or employ that only
other party which has betrayed every trust
The occasion for pol tical effort has not
passed. American progress is not ended.
Othei labors lie before you, lighter perhaps, but
not light.
shall not be undone. RepubicanIsm offers
you the best security against retrog ression.
Second-You have to see that the work of re-
form goes forward Three great labors demand
you present consideration.
The Fourteenth amendment to the COnsttu-
ton is not vet enforced by appropriate leglsla
ton" Millions of American citizens are de-
MED even the common law rights of locomo-
tiona because they are black. If such wrongs
are to be redressed tie Republican party alone
can do it.
The currency is in an abnormal condition,
and must be reformed. 1t is undoubtedly true
that the Republican party is not agreed how to
Effect that reform. Neither is the Democratic
party. Neither party, as such, yet sees clearly
the right way. But there are two reasons for
believing that the Republican party rather than
its rival can best treat this great question OF the
finances:
1. As the former has, hitherto, found the
true way through graver difficu ties, SO we be-
lieve it IS more apt to find the true way through
this
2. You already have abundant assurance
that when Republicans discover the true way
they will pursue it. That assurance has not as
yet beer given by the other party.
B. The Republican party in the future. as in
the past, Will see to it that the national credit
suffers no detriment and tLat tie national
honor is preserved.
Candor compels us TO add that, in respect
sional Committee might have oeen able to in
sert the resolution of the Philadelphia Con-
ventlon in 1872, which pledges the party to
an early return to specie payments, and have
set forth some plan for the redemption of our
RATIONAL promises-to-pay; Tor evade it as we
may, the currency question is one of the
most important in the present canvass.
In addition to the rather ind; finite mission
OF the future as set forth above, large por-
ton of the address is devoted to the transport
taton problem The Committee had the
prudence not to suggest a solution, but took
occasion in great many words to indicate
that Republican Congress would give to this
important and intricate question greater con-
slderation than their opponents. 1t is stated,
however, that the various propositions of Mr..
roads and canals are worthy of consideration.
As a recreation Congress may consider Mr..
WINDOWS schemes, but in view of the his
tory of the Pacific Railroads and the COS Ii
ness of all work done by governments, Con-
gress for the next half century at least can
consign those vast and visionary schemes to
successor much nearer the miliennial period.
While the address ignores some topics that
the better part of the party deem most i'm
portant, it is encouraging to note that they
recognize higher standard possible than has
been attained, which they do in the following
sentence:
A party better than either, loftier in its as
pirations, wiser iD Its methods, holder in its en-
deavors, is UNIQUE stionably desirable Such
party might be attained if the wise the upright
and the patriotic in the Democratic ranks
would unite themselves With the like in the
Republican organization.
If the Republican leaders and the Republi-
can Congress will but recognize the demand
of the present and give heed to wise counsels,
no new party better than either will be re-
quired, for within the ranks of the Repub-
can party and usually acting with it are the
best men in the nation.
The party has only to be worthy of the
past, to ignore unworthy men, to heed he
counsels of its wisest and most patriotic men,
TO continue to be the party of the future.