Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-07-01
An Encouraging Outlook.

From the highest officer to the SOL
der in the ranks the determination
is general to join hands in the work
to be done in the Presidential cam
paign and to follow the banner OF
HAYES and Wheeler to a glorious
victory in November next.
Encouragement comes from all
quarters. North, South, East, and
West send cheering assurances OF a
spirit of unity in the Republican
party such as has not been known
since the fiery trials Of the war Pc
Rod. The names Of Hayes and
Wheeler have been accepted every
where as the promise of reform
wherever needed, and as the pledge
of loyalty and ability are to guard
in the future, as in the past, the in
terests of the Government.
The Convention has done its du-
ty well. Its delegates will receive
from their constituents heartfelt
thanks, and be long remembered as
patriots who laid aside personal
likes and dislikes for the public well
fare. The platform has the true
ring, the men placed upon it are OF
the right stamp, and, if we mistake
not the necessities of the hour, the
work performed will take its place
in history as second, at least, if not
equal, to the patriotic labors that
gave Lincoln to the nation in 1860.
The work of the Convention end
ed with the selection Of the ticket.
The work of the people has just
commenced. Will it be performed
wisely and well? We believe it will,
for never before in our history were
the people-the loyal people-more
in earnest to protect the Govern
ment from the fatal effects of Dem
ocratic control than at the present
time.
Among intelligent men the con-
clusion is almost universal that the
Democratic party, as shown by its
transactions in the House of Rep
resentatives, is totally unfit to gov
ern the nation, and that to continue
it's present power over legislation,
or to extend it over the functions of
the Executive branch, would be lit
tie short of national suicide. The
popular feeling that carried DemOc-
racy into power in 1874 no longer
exists. Those who believed it true
to the Government and able to leg
islate for it's best interests have open
ed their eyes to the fatal error into
which they were led. They see the
Democratic party holding one
branch of the National Legislature,
and using its power therein, not for
the purpose of advancing the coun-
try, but for the sole purpose of ad-
vancing its selfish and partisan in
terests. They are forced to the con.
clusion that Democracy is as corrupt
to-day as when it was driven from
power, and as disloyal in it's atfilia.
ton as when the guns of the rebel
army were turned against the au-
thority of the nation.
We may therefore reasonably ex
pect large accessions from the dis
affected element which left our par
ty few years since, and positive
activity from thousands throughout
the land, who, under the false be-
lief that the two parties were about
the same, grew apathetic in the sup.
port of Repnblicanism.
The opposition will be composed
of the ex-Confederate element of the
South, the ignorant and bigOted
voters of the North, and that large
class of unprincipled men found
with Democracy at all times, urging
its claims, directing its movements,
and sharing in its plumber wherev-
er successful. The power of this
opposition should not be underrat-
ed. 1t would be folly to accept the
of our party as proof
positive that it will be victorious in
the pending campaign. Through
out the land every safeguard must
be adopted, every weak point must
be strengthened, every movement
of the enemy watched. Vigilance
must be practiced everywhere.
Those who believe that law and Or
der are better than misrule and
should band together for
the common defense. Organization
should be commenced at once. Thro'
it, the true state of affairs, where {
ever Democracy has obtained con.