The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-06-16
Patriotism and slanders.

soul' has at all times been a source
of enjoyment to men of thought, and
to men who felt that there were nee
essarily duties to be performed be-
tween man and man. Especially was
the performance OF political duties
recognized, inasmuch as the peace
and progress of society were closely
interviewer with it. A spirit of pat
riotism often produced spirit of
emulation and citizen would mark
out for himself line of employment
which had for its object the protec-
tion of liberty, the support of those
principles which would enhance the
value of free institutions, and their
practical application to public and
private affairs, in order that the coun-
try might have advantage of the aid
and intelligence of the best citizens,
and an influence always in active op-
Grafton. pressing directly to popular
advancement.
This long has been and is the at
.titude of Republicans. If ever a
political party had grown out of the
necessity of the times it is the Repub-
lican party. Its principles called for
the cooperation of all who loved the
heritage of the fathers; and when the
peril of the Nation was caused by the
disloyalty ofthe leaders of the Demo-
cracy who drew aside expecting the
Uuion to be destroyed, the patriotism
of Republicans impelled them to in
terpose themselves as a living bull
wark between Democratic rebellion
and the preservation of the Republic.
The Uuion was saved, but hundreds
of thousands offered their lives as a
sacrifice on the battlefield and their
efforts live in the grateful memory of
the people.
The Union was saved by the Re-.
publican party from destruction.
What Democratic party was before
the war, and during the war, every
one knows !; and it is very busy in
making history now. In the first
place, it has no sympathy with the
work which Republicans have done,
and in the next place, the Democratic
leaders are trying to hound down all
thostatesmen who sustained that work
and SO undo their legislation. In a
word, the Bourbon Democracy have
planted their feet upon the great
Rock of Scandal, and mean, if they
can accomplish it, the destruction of
the most prominent Republicans,
whose only fault is that they have
been faithful and Iabored most dill
gently for the welfare of the Union.
The Democratic party has inaugu-
rated reign of scandal. A hundred
years ago Washington and the purest
patriots of his days were assailed
with the most virulent scandal.
Reckless charges were scattered
through the land ,and our.fathers were
asked to believe them. Did the
scandal-mongers of the early years of
Independence succeed? No! The
people could not credit that men who
had been instrumental in founding a
new Nation should have been un-
faithful to 1t. The charges were
monstrous; but there was no sus-
pension of judgment. Citizens of
every State supported the patriots,
against whom the scandal was ain ed, /,
in the most practical way. If TRAY
took the trouble to deny it.they acthe
as if no scandal existed; or if the
scandal had any effect at all.it bound
them together in firmer resolution
to do their duty, their whole duty as
citizens, and cast their ballots with
irresistible force against defamation.
Shall the present reign of scandal
and defamation triumph?