Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-03-09
) (owfr Ga Trau9fript
The County has % Official Paper.
AUSTIN, M1NN.-
TuURSDAF MORNING. MAR. 2, 1876.
-:
A. A. HARDWOOD, Editor 4 Proprietor
POLITICAL.

Within less than four months the Re.
publican party Of this nation will select a
candidate for the Prcsidcncy,-in all
probability candidate which will receive
u majority Of all the votes cast and there.
fore DC elected. What a responsibility
this fact dcvolves upon Republicans. II
they control the government they must
control it in the interest Of all the people.
4 spirit Of partisanship may nerve each
voter in the contest for supremacy, but
that spirit must never dictate nor mould
the character Of an administration. The
personnel 1T every official corps should
rrrrcscnt in their belief the essential prin-
ciples Of the party charged with tho duty
If administering the government. This
il essential to its own safety, but beyond
this the influence of mere partisanship
should never extend. The central idea
upon which the American Republic is
BASED, is, that EACH NAN HAS THE RIGHT
TO DE THE EQUAL. OF EVERY OTHER MAN,
and any administration, no matter what
party it may represent, which does not in
culcatc this flea and illustrate it, docs
not govern properly, and should not be
entrusted with power. No law or rule OF
action either in its terms or in It's applica.
ton should he characterized by any such
party tendency rs to make it affect un-
equally those who hold different political
crccds. In other words the party in pow.
er must 50 enact and so apply tho princi-
pies which they hold, as to be true to
their convictions, and just to all. This
the Republican party has never failed to
do and never will. It believes in the po-
litical equality Of all men; it advocates
the right Of equal protection 10 all; and it
extends equal opportunities to all. The
Democratic party never recognized these
principles and it never will recognize
them. 1t is based upon the idea that So
cial differences arise from mere pccuni.
ary condition. It recognizes the pretend
cd right Of the aristocracy to- control the
plebcians. 1t legislates in favor of the
wealthy and for the greater oppression Of
the poor. 1t creates special privileges
for the few, aud devolvcs grievous bur-
tlens upon the many. 1t is too liberal to
advocate n,onarchical government and
too conservative to acknowledge the SOW.
creign power Of the people: If left to it.
self it would form an aristocratic society
composed Of two elements, viz: Those
who want to rule. and those who are viii.
ling to be ruled. This would necessitate
that inequality Of rank and attainment
and position which is and ever has been
the curse Of oriental nations. 1t is not
possible to create and sustain third party
in this country. There is no golden mean
upon which tue extremes of political
opinion can focalize and coalesce, hence,
while the attitude Of the two great parties
may change somewhat, to meet the con.
tingencics Of development, they must a.
ways remain, each the antipode Of the
other, and constantly contending for the
1t is for the purpose Of tax.
ing a part in that contest, now 50 close at
hand, that we are to make preparation.
Every citizen is interested in making up
the issue and in selecting the champions
who are to lead in the struggle, and no
man should neglect TO cxcrcis" the rights
nor to incur the responsibilities of citi-
zen. Our methods of political action are
such that the common masses have but
one opportunity of universal choice.
Each voter may 60 to the primary meet.
ing and ballot for the man he wants to
represent him, but if he neglects to do
Ibis his power as sovereign is gone,-he
can do no more than accept what others
may have done in the exercise Of their I'm.
disputed rights. His support must be
given to one of two candidates. For off,
ces of minor importance less care may be
exercised in the selection of men, but !
when we are to fill the Presidential chair
and thus to supply every cog and wheel
in the whole machinery of government,
it is Of the utmost importance that We do
it thoughtfully, deliberately, harmonious
" and with view to promoting the good
Of the whole people.