The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-24
The Only WnX TO Vote .

The action Of the Democratic party OF
New York in putting JoHN BIGELow at
the head OF it, ticket aud LUCIUs RoBIN-
SON in his company, and that of the Mas
sachusetts Democrats in nominating Gen.
". f. BARTLETT tor MISUNDERSTANDING
on the ticket with Gov. GAsToN ARE indica-
tions as well rs fruits Of that readiustment
of party lines which has been going on for
two or three years back.
To many men who have for now nearly
quarter OF century voted the Repnb-
ncan ticket and followed that party, which
In its inception and during large part of
It's career represented TO them moral
ideas which rose almost to the height OF
religious obligation, il is a hardship to turn
their backs upon the party which IN name,
but only in name, represents the princi-
pies for which they 70 long fought. Their
old enmlty to the Democratic party,
against which they so perslstontiy waged
unrelenting warfare, is not easily over
come. a Democratic ticket burns in their
fingers. The name is hateful To them. Re
publicans Of middle life have perhaps
never voted for any other than the can
dates OF the Republican party. Their
whole political education has been in that
party. Its title and its avowod principles
are deeply stamped on their minds aud
moulded into their thoughts. They have
gone through a baptism Of blood, have
perhaps endured persecution for opiu!ou's
sake. A party allegiance so worn IL not
easily destroyed. The best era of the Re
publican party was in truth an era of
moral politics. During that lime Repub-
hcan principles became "A sort of new artI-
ole Of the religious belief of n large part Of
the religious public OF the North. No
party the country has ever known has had
deeper foundation.
Hence, when we see this party disrupted,
its leaders III vain sounding the call to
arms, aud its followers ia sorrow and re-
greet Joining the forces of its opponents
We may be sure that the ovcrturn of
confidence in IT US now directed Is great
indeed.
II is not surprising that 80 many Repub-
tcans, nurtured us they have been in its
political creed, stand IN hesitation about
transferring their support to the Demo-
Gratis. But they must bear IN mind that
parties are not organizations for all time.
The allegiance Of "a free und thoughtful
man to his party should not be subjocllon.
1t should last only So long rs the party il
the ark of his political faith. Moreover,
with changing national and State needs,
different parties require 10 be called into
power. The slavery issue bred the Repub-
hcan party, and the war nourishcd IT,.
With the passing away of that ISSUE the
triumph of that cause, the victory Of the
IInioV ~ ont a
tho negroes, its work was done. The moral
ideas which gave it vitality no longer
quickened H. Then those who had not
borne the brunt of the fight stepped in to
gather the spols OF victory. Not inspired
by the convictions which had made the
cause so grand, they worked the party ma
chinery for iguoble ends gathering out of
the distrcssful debt of the people added
ability to iutrcnch themselves in the peo-
Piles offices Of trust An army of mere
ofllceholdcrs is now what remains of the
Dnce great Republican party, and the sal
walton of their places u their one political
object. The party Is thoroughly corrupt
I'd, and il is time for the people 10 drive ii
from power.
The name under which citizen serves
,
~ good as Republican. II is the end for
which be works that gives dignity TO his
vote. Therefore, the honest citizen, who
brushes away party preiudices, and, keen
ly conscious Of the importance of cleans
ing the political atmosphere, medtates
only how best to bring about the needed
reform, nnds no other resource NJ this
time than to vote the Democratic ticket
Only in that way can he sufficiently re-
buke and ultimately drive from power in
Washington the party of Grantism. the
unworthy successor of the Republican
party.
The willingness Of Republicans like Mr.
BIGrLow and Gen. BARTLETT to accept
positions on the Democratic ticket will b,
followed by n like willingness Of the Re
publican voters to put inside their aocus
toned ballots aud t"..o and deposit thos,
SsIHh bear Vary &c isuatiou new I,