Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1875-09-30
POLITICAL.
r. I. SMITH, J
q Il. 4 +. FAX TaSsrR Conn.,

political virtue, that there is now no diff.
ference between the two great parties,
claiming the suffrages Of the people for
their respective tickets, THAT the platforms
arc almost identical, and that all Of the
nominees arc equally respectable. 1t is
not our purpose to discuss the character
of candidates at present. It is fortunate
for the country that both parties have
made juG;cious selections as far as con-
Germs mere personal qualities. Indeed we
may remark that the time when bad men
could be inflicted upon the public as the
accredited representatives Of great politi-
cal organizations, passed some time ago.
Such arc occasionally brought forward infa
city canvass, where the bad clements pre-
pondcrate the good, but the indigniiy Of
the masses torbids any selection for State
offices Of men who have not clean personal
records. The contest this year is 10 be one
ofprincip!cs, not one of personalities. The
must succeed because the people accept its
fundamental prlnciples,-thcse which it
has not only lnculcatcd, but illustrated by
its bcncticcnt enterprises and magnificent
achievements. 1t is not n,uy h at the pres
cnt time that party writes out q creed
and publishes it. Were that all-sufficicnt
for political success, the vericst shyster in
the land might make himself the leader Of
aparty and its favoric candidate. During
the last eighteen years the republicans
have been charged with the duty of shap-
ing the policy and directing the machin-
cry Of government, IN ncarlysal1 the States.
1t has asserted the supremacy of the fed
cral government over all Safe organiza-
tons, and maintained the assertion at
The point of the bayotet and at the mouth
Of the cannon. II has re asserted the doc
trinc Of the declaration that "All men are
created equal" and emphasized its asser-
ton by striking the letters from the limbs
If four millions of human beings prcvi-
ously held in bondage. It has constantly
acted upon the theory that the govern
ment wa; made to enhance the safety, the
comfort, and the prosperity Of the sub
ject. 1t has been ag grcssive,-warrin
against erroneous customs and theories
snpptanting such by the establishment Of
new features and the adoption Of such
policies, as are in accord with the true
idea of popular liberty. 1t has been
charged with the duty of supplying rcvc-
rue for the maintenance Of government,
md Of supplying a currency which should
nc proper substitute for gold and silver.
1t has inauguratcd the system ofadjusting
disputes between nations by diplomacy
Instead of rcsorting to the arbitramcnt Of
the sword. The party has recognized the
tendency Of capital to degrade labor, wit
messed its efforts to cnsl;.vc it, to make j:
Aubscryient TO and dependent upon the
caprice Of owners, and 4 strong arm has
been put forth to restrain, and if need be
10 coA:rol it,-all these things and many
others has the republican party done, in
Illustration Of what it embodics in its
platform. In fact promulgatc* no theory
Of government, and asserts no opinion up
"a current issues that is not the result of
4 tried experiment. or a logical deduction
from premises generally admitted to he
correct In other words the platform Of
t..c republican party consists of an aggrc"
CATION of its accomplishments during the
eighteen or nineteen years of its actual
existence. If then the party bears any re-
scmblancc to the tcncts of democracy, it
is because democrats have chosen to array
themselves in the habilimcnts of republi.
eapism with view to gaming some adj
vantage ny appearing in disguise. The
democracy has had nothing to do lately but
fnd fault. Not being responsible, be-
cause not being in power. it has held the
position Of = critic. and used it to dispar-
Age the xsiae of every good aetlon, and &c
misrcprcsent ard denouncc ali That may
he Of doubtful propriely. The present
scheme OF the democracy IS TO gain pres
iigc by agreeing with republicans, and to
get into power by alternating from then
ALLEGIANCE, all who may have been disap-
pointed, or who are disa1fected, or i'll
doubt as to the honesty of those charged
witt, official management, and that is why
it happens O. that the platforms Of the
two parties are 80 ".ncarly Identical" II
this country has reason to he grateful for
its present prosperity; if it is of any con