The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-07-22

political life, could justify himself only
by saving that the Democratic party was
converted to Republican principles and
measures statement which he made in
perfect sincerity, 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 side difference between the fact Of
parties and the theory. Theoretically a
party IS 4 voluntary association Of those
who hold similar political views and seek
the same political ends. But actually it
is 4 continuing organization, dependent
largely upon tradition, prejudice. and
ssgri: IL corps, maintaining It's name
and its form, however its purposes and
professions may change. The true ac-
count of parties IS that they represent;
certain general political convictions and
tendencies Of government, rather than
that they are temporary alliances 10 carry
immediate ends. In this sense man in
England is born Tory o. Liberal. He
is naturally conservative or radical. And
tile same thing is true il this country,
and explains the permancnce Of parties.
It Is somimcS said that the Republican
party has accomplished all the purposes
for which it was formed, and is logically
dCfu3ct. Slavery IS abolished, the Union
has been maintained, and the ConstitU-
ZION is amended in the ilGerst of liberty.
There is no reason it is said for the con
Linue,i existence Of the party. But if, rs
Ills view comedies, the object, the final
cause, of the party was equal A5crty, and
its dissolution would restore 10 power the
party that has alwavs opposed equal lib
erty, then it is plain that the very pUr-
pose Of the Republican party requires its
continuance. And if il be said that the
Democratic party would be equally faith
full 10 liberty, the reply Is twutold: first,
that, by the same theory, the Democratic
party IS logically dttUact; and second,
tAat there Is no reason to believe TIA. i.
would be 4 more trus'y guardian Of lib
e1ty than the Republican. II the Ques-
lions upon which the country divided IN
10 two parties are settled, both parties, &C
cUrIia- 10 the theory, should disappear.
Ii they 10 not, j: IS either because those
questions are not settled, or because the
theory IS UrsolEd.
The reason hat the TWO parties remain,
and th., i third party Is cllimc-a, is That:
the American people, peiag practical and
not Theoretical, know that tie tendencies
from which The parties sPraug are IN
changed, and they read platforms, Or
promises and professions, in The light Of
knowledge. When party composed Of
old Coppcrhca1s; supporters Of slavery,
State sovereignty, and the natural in:cri-
ugi,y and righ;!ul subjuEation Of the col
cred race; skegtics Of the principle Of
popular government; panGe-cTs to ignor-
a.ce. and promoters Of ecclesiastical
interference in politics. apolo=ists OF
the ku-k!ux and White League
when such 4 party grayely comes for
ward IS the especial champion Of equal
rights and justice and the maiate-
nance Of the Union under the amend
ed Constitution. and processes IN Cd
flying zeal for fraternity, honesty.
economy, and good order, there is say
ing sense of humcr in practical PEG
pie Ike the American which enables
them 10 measure the profession 3: IFS ex-
act worth Take the Democratic PARTY
in New York. lis leaders are Governor
Tlien, Mr.. Seymour, Mr.. John Kelly and
Senator Herman. lis followers are well
known. Now will any intelligent New
Yorker, or any American who is familiar
with these gentlemen and those whom
they lead, state why they, with their TIA
djtions, associations. and alliances are
likely to serve the cause Of liberty, jus
lice, and the renewed Union more sincere
" or effectively than General Dix, Sena-
tor ConkGng, Mr. W. y. Wheeler, Mr.
Erar.S, or any other conspicuous RerU5-
lican Leaders Is it said that the IS
sues are settled: But certainly it will
not be urged that equal rights are not still
20 be maintained, and the amendments
of the constitution 10 be enforced and
government to be administered in accord
ance with the spirit Of the successful
party il the war. EyegytbinG else rests
upon these. Business, industry, enter
prise, the finances, alt depend for their
prosperity upon confidence. Confidence
can be secured only by the general con-
viction that The established orler viii be
resolutely maintained. Now is that
maintenance more likely from those upon
whose principle that establishment has
betn made or from these who have stren-
uously and even sincerely opposed it,
These are the questions which really
underiie the election of next year. The
platforms OF both the parties will affirm
the same general principles of fidelity to
the Union, to the rights Of the citizens
and of the States, and viii demand hon
esty, economy, and efficiency of admins
tration. The Democrats, except in Penn
sylvaria, will declare for revenue tariff,
and the Republicans generally fer Incl
dental protection TO home industry. The
Republican conventions generally viii
pronounce for speedy return TO specie
payments, and the Democratic will favor
imitation, as in Ohio. The soldier viii be
remembered, and there viii be Demo
cratic Buncombe about restoring the Pres
dental salary to the old sum. Both
parties will condem third term, and both
will denounce sectarian nleddling with
the public-school fund. The intelligent
voter will read between the lines, and de-
eide from experience and observation and
knowledge OF men and of parties which
party can most safely be trusted to fulfill
the pledges of the platforms He viii
choose between the general tendency OF
the Republican and the Democratic par
ties, determining whether the mistakes
and ofenses Of the party in power have
been SO fragrant, and whether lis spirit is
so debased. as TO make sounder and
wiser conduct hopeless. SO that the Union
must be confided TO the party, unchanged
in its general membership which ten
years ago soughtits destruciion.-Harpsr's
Weeliy.