The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1874-09-03
EXTRACTS FROM
sen ATOR MORTON'S SPEECH,
Delivered at Terre Haute, Indiana, july
31st, 1874.

SPIRIT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

SPIRIT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The Democratic party is out Of power, and is strug-
Cling regain it. 1t Is the opposition, and attempts to
seize upon every popular discomfort, and to avail IL
Se OF every local passion to njure the Republican
rarity. 1t presents no policy for the administration Of
the Government, and makes no attempt TO preserve
consistency. 1t feels at liberty to profess in one local
ty what II denies in another and to take any position
Ia one State, TO strike the Republican party blow,
without regard to the ground which 1t occupies upon
the question in other States. 1t does not hesi-
tate to any weapon OF assault, knowing that there
IS little responsibility attached to those who are strug
CLING TO gain power compared with those who are
in possession Of IT, and who responsible for its ex-
ercise.
As an illustration of this, may refe. to the fact
that in the State Of Maine the Democratic party has
Just declared for absolute free trade and for raising
tue revenue by direct taxation. In Pennsylvania 1t
declares in favor Of protective tariff, while in In
diana II afrms its belief in revenue tariff, TO be so
adjusted and framed with such nice determinations
Rs 10 aiiord no protection for American industry.
On the temperance question the Democratic position
Is varied the circumstances surrounding II in the
different States and Territories; with this qualica
ton, however, that there is general leaning to the
side Of nemperance. II may be said, generally, 10
go far in favor Of the unresraned Tac In inoxi-
eating liquors as II can not TO wholly forfeit the
spect and friendship Of those who are inclined to the
sie Of temperance. II the temperance men are Tor
prohibition the Democracy are for acense law, always
striking lower and making bid for the support Of
those who traffic In Intoxicating liquors II the tenn
peranCe men asked only for license law, then the
Democracy would put the license very low or have no
license at ALL still offering inducements for the sup
port u thar class Of men Whatever measure be pro-
posed in any state Territory whereby to diminish
the evils Of lntemperance for some reason IL Is sure to
come short OF receiving Democratic support and they
never fail 10 find some excuse for opposing IT, although
they may deal In gttering generaiities IN favor Of
Temperance and reforn 1t Is 10 the general tendency
and procivity Of the Democratic party against the
Temperance reform to which call attention.
SPIRIT or THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Resolutions against corruption the cheap clap
trap Of parties All parties profess to be opposed to
H. tO nAaoQ and
cute it in other parties The true test OF an honest
party Is in its sei-examinaton, and the exposure and
punishment Of corruption in It's own ranks in Its cou,
tnued vigilance for self-purhcation In doctrine and
practice Tried by this test the Republican party is
distinguished above every other in the history OF this
country Nearly all that Is known OF corruption In
the Republican party has been shown by its own dill
gent differentiation and the prompt exposure OF
ever official delinquent who has been discovered NO
body believes that the Democratic party Is partcu-
larly sensitive about corruption. In fact when II was
Ia power il noted for the industry and skill with
which it covered up the peculatons OF its own mem.
bers Committees TO investigate the official conduct oil
its own members we're so rarely appointed BY Demo-
cratic maiorities 10 Congress not 70 be remembered
The Democratic and Republican parties seem 10 have
proceeded upon different principles for seli-delense
aud preservation. The Democratic party sought TO
protect itself against public opinion by coneeaing the
dendueneies OF its members; while The Republican
party has proceeded upon the principle that
nation and the exposure and punishment oil ts DELHI
auent members the best guarantee for its contn-
uanee Ia power. .
There good aud bad men In all partes and In an
human organizations; and the bad men Will nlti-
matey corrupt and take possession Of all organizations
unless they are repressed, exposed and brought TO
punishment The detection and exposure oil the
credit MobIlier, Sanborn, and District OF Columbia
transactions was the voluntary and earnest work Of
the Republican party and while It may show here
and there diseased member, yet 1t clearly reyesi'
the healthy tone, vigor, and condition q the mass
The principles and constitution OF the hepuDhean
marty but il naturally upon the side Of temperance A
saainst intemperance Of freedom ss against slavery
the people Is against monopoly OF Labor tree schools