The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-08-05
From Harper's Weekly.l
Parties and Platforms.


thought to be very proftless reading but
they are very significant If they con-
tain pledges and promises which are not
redeemed even if the party is successful,
they yet show what the party managers
believe to be the dominant feeling of the
party, and with all the contempt that is
heaped upon them, they are still real
enough often to defeat those who care
fully construct them. Platforms are, of
course, so framed as to secure the largest
probable support among the voters. They
are made for the weaker, not for the
stronger, brethren, and they therefore
contain positive and radical assertions
only when there is no doubt of the
unanimity of the party. Yet, however
important they may be, and however effec-
tive as weapons in political contests,
they are to be interpreted, like all other
professions, by the known opinions and
the familiar conduct OF those who make
them Thus, in 1872, when the Demo-
cratic Convention at Baltimore adopted
without change the platform laid down
|, by dissatisfied Republicans at Cincinnati,
nobody who was familiar with politics re-
garded its conduct as honorable 1t was
a transparent trick to obtain power, and
the manner in which the coalition of
1S72swas spurned by the country is one
of the most cheering illustrations we
have ever had ofo the intelligence and
rectitude of the people. Mr.. Sumner,
who was in wholly unnatural position
and suddenly separated from the move
ment of his entire political life, could
justify himself only by saying that the
Democratic party was converted to Re-
publican principles and measures-a
statement which he made in perfect sim
cerity, but which persuaded no one
The history of the election of 1872
throws much light upon the subject of
platforms and parties. 1t shows plainly
the wide difference between the fact of
parties and the theory. Theoretically a
party Is voluntary association of those
who hold similar political views and seek
the same political ends. But actually it
is continuing organization, dependent
largely upon tradition, prejudice, and
esprit de corps, maintaining its name and
its form, however its purposes and pro-
fessions may change. The true account
of parties is that they represent certain
general political convictions and tenden-
cies of government, rather than that
they are temporary alliances to carry i'm
mediate ends. In this sense man in
England is born Tory or Liberal He
is naturally conservative or radical. And
the same thing is true in this country.
and explains the permanence of parties.
1t is sometimes said that the Republican
party has accomplished all the purposes
for which it was formed and is logically
defunct. Slavery is abolished, the Union
has been maintained, and the Constitu-
ton is amended in the interest of liberty
There is no reason for the continued ex-
istence of the party. But if, as this view
comedies. the object, the final cause, of
the party was equal liberty. and its disso-
luton would restore to power the party
that has always opposed equal liberty,
then it is plain that the very purpose of
the Republican party requires its contin-
uance. And if it be said that the Demo
cratic party would be equally faithful TO
liberty, the reply is two-fold: first, that,
by the same theory, the Democratic party
is logically defunct; and second, that
there is no reason to believe that it
would be more trusty guardian of lib
erty than the Republican. If the ques-
tions upon which the country divided
into two parties are settled, both parties,
according to the theory, should disap-
pear. If they do not, it is either because
those questions are not settled, or be-
cause the theory Is unsound.
The reason that the two parties remain,
and that third party is chimGa, is
tical and not theoretical know that the
tendencies from which the parties sprang
are unchanged, and they read platforms,
or promises and professions, in the light
of knowledge. When party composed
of old Copperheads; supporters of slavery,
State sovereignty, and the rightful sub
jugation of the colored race; skeptics of
the principle of popular government;
panders to ignorance, and promoters of
ecclesiastical interference in politics
apologists of the Ku-Klux and the White
Aeague-when suoh o party gravely
comes forward as the especial champion
of equal rights and justice and the main
tainance of the Union under the amend
ed Constitution, and processes an edify-
ing zeal for fraternity, honesty, eeonemy,
and good order, there is saving sense of
humor in a practical people like the
American which enables them to mea-
sure the profession at its exact worth
Take the Democratic party in New Y York.
Its leaders are Governor Tflden. Mr.. Sey-
mour Mr. John Kelley, and Senator
Herman. Its followers are we'll known
Now will any intelligent New Yorker or
any American who is familiar with these
gentlemen with those whom they lead,
state what they, with their traditions, as
sociations, and alliances, are likely to
serve the cause of liberty, justice and the
renewed Union more sincerely or affee-
lively than General Dix, Senator Conl1-
ling, Mr.. w. A. Wheeler Mr.. Evarts, or
any other conspicuous Republican leader2
Is it said that old issues are settled But
certainly it will not be urged that equal
rights are not to be maintained, and the
amendments of the Constitution to be
enforced, and the government to be ad-
ministered in accordance with the spirit
of the successful party i'll the war Every
thing else rests upon these. Business.
industry, enterprise, the finances, all de-
pend for their prosperity upon conf
dence. Confidence oan be secured only
by the general conviction that the estab-
lished order will be resolutely maintain
ed Now is that maintainance more
likely from those upon whose principles
that establishment has been made, or
from those who have strenuously and
even sincerely opposed it?
These are the questions which really
underlie the election of next year. The
platforms of both the parties will affirm
| the same general principles of fidelity to
| the Union, to the Constitution, to the
rights of the citizens of the States, and
will demand honesty, economy and etfi-
ciency of administration. The Demo
orats, except in Pennsylvania, will de-
clare for revenue tariff, and the Repub-
licans generally for incidental protection
to home industry The Republican con-
yentions generally will pronounce for
speedy return TO specie payments, and
the Democratic will favor imitation, US in