Ellsworth American., 1874-07-30
The Republican Party and the Inde-
pendent Press.

Political parties are much like a human
being: they have period OF growth. a
period of full developed manhood and a
period OF decay. A. child grows. his
whole appearance changes The color Of
tie hair, the sound of the voice, the form
of the features, all undergo such changes
Ia their development that few year, near
ly obliterate- all traces or the earlier ap-
pearance. SO with political parties. so
long i, they grow their features will
change. New features are developed, and
old ones are made more or less prominent
by contrast or comparison. And to-day
the Republican party presents to the
worlds view new feature. a feature
which no previous party could never boast
our IHd'IeRdent press. ! do not mean
that the whole Republican press is indie
pcndent.-sotne organs are intensely parti-
IAN, but mean that there are MANY edi-
tors who have always voted the Republi-
can ticket. and who have always been in
full sympathy with the course OF the parry
Oh every great issue which has been before
the country. and whose pens have ever
been ready to commend the party merits.
but equally ready TO condemn its faults.
ahe-' ait hVN tblitti'u WIKI the
government, and IN no sense dependent
upon the party tor support. They have no
motive la lie for the party. and their testi-
mony Is u be received as that of unbiased
witnesses. Having worked to put certain
men IN Office they feel that 1t is their pc
eu'iar privilege 10 carefully watch and
eIiididiy critIcisc them. Their object /, a
good government. just laws and purity in
theii administration and the party is dear
to them only So long as II l. the most now
eriul instrument for attaining this object.
And in the matter OF free Journalists IN and
Independent criticism, Republican editors
are the pioneers, Instead of Initiating the
deceptive and servile PRACTICE OF the old
Democratic press. OF all Ginning in TO the
pitch ot their leading party journal. of
covering and excusing or defending the
faults and blunders of their leaders when
they should have condemned them: in
stead Of all this, independent, Republican
editors have Introduced into the Republi
can ranks spirit Of free and indepen-
Dent thinking, which. as sign of pro-
gress, Is cheering to every honest heart
and Tor which they should not be blamed,
but commended. The Democratic policy
worked well as q measure for party disci-
pine, but it was destructive to purity and
public honesty. 1t smothersJ the voice of
the people and thus destroyed the most
valuable index TO public opinion. Thus.
the Democratic party ceased to be the peo-
pie servant and became their master and
having suppressed the only means of hon
est expression OF sentiment by crushing
independent criticism. In its own ranks,
having cut the line Of communication be.
tween the minds of its leaders and the
minds OF its honest voters, it lost its reck-
oning and was wrecked on the breakers of
It's owp folly and presumption. Il under
rated the moral and religious power OF the
people. conducted affairs In q wa, As to
arouse popular indignation, and hayin.
lost the confidence of the people, was
hurled from power IN disgrace.
The Republican party has always been
the peoples party. Had tie disgraceful
salary grab" been passed with q Demo.
cratic majority In both Houses of Con-
gress. II never wouid have been repealed.
but thanks % the sIndepeudeus,' press.
or tothe Independence Of the Republican
press. the people were allowed to speak ip
voice that was unmistakable. And IL il |
to the credit Of Congress that that voice |
was heard and regarded. The RepubIi. |
can party II largely made up Of men who |
consider the party made for them. aud not |
they made for the party, simply an instru. |
ment in their hand with which TO perform |
certain work; and they will be satisfied |
with 1t only ss long as it works we'll And
II any kepnblican leader could by aay |
possible means suppress honest criticism,
ne would soon find that he had ligated the |
man artery, and that his party was pulse-
lees, cold and sinking, regardless Of the |
most powerful stimulants.