The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-10-06
CONTEST BETW.EE.V THE
PARTIES,

EsfhlkES
From the speech Of the Hon. Newton Booth,
d. s. Senator from California, at Terre Haute,
Ind, Aug. 81.
POLITICAL institutions are not for day or
for A wear or for presidential term. We fond
Iv hone American institutions are for all time.
Political parties are not accidents. They have
a deeper significance than the professions and
promises OF their public men. II they have
any vitality. they are moral forces, with govern
ING ideas and sentiments which control their
direction. II we would understand these forces,
If we would comprehend these ideas and calcu-
late their direction, we must look beneath the
platform, which may be but bid for votes, to
the history Of the party where its principles
are revealed. So, studying the Democratic
party, we find it the same as 1t was IN 1861,
1864, 1868, and 1872, unchanged. unregenerated,
unrepentant. Therefore, think 1t ought to
be DESTROYED. confess without shame that
have onged for the day when the political or
panzatons OF this country should not perpetu-
ate even By their Names the memories OF our
civil war when the dissenslons OF the war, lts
passions and hatreds should be buried with the
dead when its awful destruction OF life should
be remembered as common sorrow, neces-
sary sacrifice, an expiatory offering made to
freedom and union which no craftsmanship
could avert in a conflict OF ideas which was in-
evitable; but have a deep and abiding sense
that while the Democratic party maintains its
political organization, perpetuates its old ira
dtions, insists upon coming into power, tri-
umphant, with music playing. banners flying,
exulting in all 1t has done, regrattlng all that
it has failed to prevent, the Republican party
can no more afford to disband, to relax it's high
purpose or great endeavor, than the Union
Army could afford to lay down its arms in the
presence OF the armed hosts OF the Rebellion.
Whatever may be our individual aspirations,
whether we like it or dislike it. the present po-
htical contest is between the Republican and
Democratic parties. The contest is for the
administration OF the Federal Government.
1t is the great stake,-great on account OF its
power and patronage; greater on account OF
it's moral prestage as the declaration OF the will
Of the American people, and transcendant in
Its importance in determining the general prn-
ciples and policy OF the Government Of q re-
public destined in the near future to become
the greatest political power in the world.
There is no third choice, no middle ground.
patriotism? Which looks aloft for the princi-
pies of it's guidance and takes its reckoning by
the stars Both parties promise reform. There
Dever has been time when both parties did
not promise reform, and there never has been
a time and never will be one, while human ma
ture remains the same, that reforms will not DO
possible and necessary. In determining the
value OF these promises, character must be
taken into account. Now. without any Phari-
seeism whatever, without claiming that line
drawn between the two parties would be simply
a separation of the sheep from the goats, adj
mitting that there are good and bad elements
ID both, you do not believe that in intelligence,
ability, patriotism, public virtue, and private
character the Republican party would suffer by
The comparison? Try the question by the his
tory of your own city, county, State, or Of the
whole country. Which party is the best repre-
sentative Of the heart and conscience OF the
nation? In whose hands is its honor safest, Its
ali sAl.s H.. -
OF fraud The success OF the Democratic party
means more than the control OF the Federal
administration 1t means powerful influence
exerted In every State, county, aud school dis
trict,
Sow, there are certain general principles and
ottlines OF olcy winch people, by taclt consent,
uesire should be recognized and pursued
Among these are that the Government IN all
Its various departments, general, State, and
municipal. should be economically administer
cd, not to confer places and honors, but as the
common guardian OF it's whole power, pledged
to each for the eDjoyments OF bis own; that
there shall be no liberation OF fraud or obits
apologists that there shall be such o reform
10 T., civil service that fitness shall be the high
Get recommendation for appointment to Office;
that all men shall be free III their religions be-
lief and observances; that there shall be no
division Of the pubic school fund that schools
supported by taxation; In whole or in part,
bnhu Dc Tree from b6Cthflhu Diha VI CoutEOl, BuO
shall be ample for the elementary instruction
of all children that the public debt shall be
honestly paid, no part OF the rebel debt assumed,
and that no compensation be made for the
Of slaves; that the thirteenth,
fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments TO the
Constitution, by which freedom Ia made univer-
sal and equality before the law secured, shall
remain undisturbed as part OF the organic
law Of the land that this nation shall be known
and recognized everywhere as the representa-
tive OF liberty and equality IN the onward march
OF humanity, IL there be a general concur
renee Of sentiment in favor Of this brief outline
of policy, the practical question before the peo-
pie in every important election IL, Through
which party can 1t be best advanced as whole
1t 10 not question Of perfection,-that exists
nowhere it ia question OF choice. In this
instance 1t answers itself ; and let me say here
that the moral effect OF presidential election
as general expression OF public sentiment is
OF far more consequence and importance than
the present success Of any measure advocated
by either.
Now, my friends, let me ask you in candor,
II the Rebellion had succeeded, the Confederacy
been established, and the present Democratic
candidates for President and Vice President
had gone down there and run for Office, could
one utterance of theirs in their Northern homes
be quoted to prevent any Confederate from
voting for them? Would not their Northern
record have made them very eligible and prop
or candidates for the highest Offices in the
southern Confederacy7 when the great trial
came which searched the hearts Of this people,
no that supreme moment OK our history when
.ne instinct OF patriotism was a higher guide
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