The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1876-08-31
TRUE ISSUE AND THE FALSE.


parade before its readers the old string of
generalities, which it styles Republican cor
ruptions, and notwithstanding the well known
fact that most of these charges have been
exploded, that some of them are pure inven-
tions, and that the remainder are harmless
because Democrats as well as Republicans
were interested-still there are hopes and
these hopes put in plain language are as
follows:
Perhaps, Republicans reading this string
will believe themselves to be thieves, Demo-
Gratis are expected to believe themselves to be
the only honest men in the country, or per-
haps the people generally will believe that as
Republicans are thieves, Democrats must
necessarily be honest.
So we have the long string of "Leet"
crimes and Stocking crimes, "Whiskey''
and ''Straw" crimes, Emma LauIaulet'
"Gravestone' ''Mobillier' and st Domin-
60" what lot of crimes finally as fearful
crusher we are charged with the unparalleled
crime of casey, Orvil Grant & Co" this
last is altogether too much, and the wonder is
how any Republican can sleep nights with
such load upon his conscience, This sort Of
stuff used as political capital is of course the
merest ''clap trap" and so far as its connec-
ton with the enext xtadministration is concerned,
is absolutely not worth moments considera-
ton. 1t is false issue and if the Demo
Gratis desire to make it true issue, it will be
necessary for them to satisfy the people on
four distinct propositions as follows:
First, the Republican party alone has been
corrupt.
Second, the Republican party if entrusted
with the next administration will continue
their corruptions.
Third, the Democratic party alone has
always been honest.
Fourth, the Democrats will in future
always be and remain honest throughout their
administration in all branches of the govern
ment.
If these four statements arc t1ue then
Reform" is a living issue, well worthy the
consideration of the American people, and if
the Democrats can satisfy us of their truth,
we will all vote the Democratic ticket on the
one score of Reform" The absurdity off
the thing is so apparent that there is not a
man in the land fool enough to give it serious
consideration, and it is used by Democratic
politicians simply as blind to cover up
the true issues Of the present campaign. IfI
we are to take past administrations as samp-
les to Judge future ones by, then is the Demo
cratic Record horrible in the extreme, and
the Republican record is bright in the same
proportion as the sun is brighter than heap
of mud.
Any principle or proposition offered or
proposed as an Issue between the two
parties, must be clearly and sharply defined,
with the Republicans on one side, and the
Democrats on the other, so that the people
may have no doubt as to what they are vot-
ing for; if the line of division is not strongly
marked and very plain, then the people will
not accept the question as an Issue" and
the party so proposing it for selfish purposes
will be injured instead of benefited the
Americans are too intelligent to be cheated
into supporting false issues. The ''Finances"
Of the country, including the matter Of re
sumption of specie payments; the Tariff
and other revenues, Sectarian Schools,
Chinese question, and many others of more
or less importance, are brought into the can
vass, and discussed as questions at Issue
each party offers its method of solving these
difficulties, but the line of distinction is not
sharply defined, there is more or less con-
fusion concerning them, and the people
would reject them altogether as political ques-
tions were it not for one very prominent and
apparent fact. On each and all of these mat
ters the Republican party is straightforward
In its dealings, and does not hesitate to tell
the people plainly and distinctly what course
of action it will take if entrusted with the
The Democratic party on the
contrary, is not plain spoken and honest, i'll
is trying to stand on both sides of every ques-
ton, and advocates all kinds of Inconsistent
doctrines to suit South and North, East and
West This is matter of fact age, people
are tired of Theories" (such as Tilden' let
ter is full of, they want plain words and
plain facts; Hayes letter is understood by
everybody as soon as they read it, and when
election day comes the American people will
prefer the Republican party with it's sixteen
years experience and it's plain distinct
methods, rather than the inexperienced
Democrats with their Theories inconss-
tencies and vagaries.
La strong contrast to the confusion that
exists concerning the above mentioned oues-
tions, there is still another subject, and this
one at least has no doubtful points whatever,
it has shown itself plainly in the halls of
Congress, and Kentucky and Alabama have
only few days ago rung it out loudly through
the land, so that no American can fail to see
exactly what it is, aud the danger that is to
come from it,