Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-10-04

which it can agree. 1t is all split up on tht
money question. 1t claims that Hayes adopt
ed its policy as regards the South; but it:
policy was opposition ia everything the Re
publican party did or proposed to do. 1t had
no positive policy, and there was norhing,
therefore, that could be stolen from it. Hayes
has, in fact, accomplished what the Republi-
Can party has all along been aiming at that is
peaceable submission to the Constitution and
the laws at the South. There were differences
as to the methods adopted, but iHasmuch as
| the end has been secured, there will be no
! quarrel as to the ways by which it was
reached. The Southern question is settled,
and it can only be unsettled by the Southern
people themselves. This is not likely to hap
pen.
What the white people of the South will do
with reference to the Democratic party can
net at present be forseen. 1t is safe to say,
however, that the South is not near so solid
sor the Democratic party as it was, and it is
not at all certain that the Democratic party of
the North can depend upon it in the future as
it has in the past. Why should it? What
has the Democratic party done foa the South?
1t fooled it into the rebellion, and has fooled
it ever since. What Hayes has done now
would have been done long ago but for Dem
ocratic obstruction.
On the other hand, what has the Democrat
ic party done for the North? 1t permitted the
rebellion, and by its opposition to the war for
the Union it prolonged it. For the blood that
was shed and the treasures that were expend-
ed, it is largely responsible. Since the close
of the war it has been driven from every Po-
stion it occupied, and forced to support all
he leading measures that it from time to time
opposed This is its record. 1t has lately
virtually endorsed every leading measure of
way opposing and denouncing that party. An
examination of Democratic platforms since
1856 would fully prove what we say. The
country is now free, united and at peace, not
through the Influence of the Democratic party
but in spite of it. Republican pledges, too,
have all been made good, or mainly so. The
credit of the netion is frst-class, at home and
abroad. The greenbacks, which such men as
Mr.. Pendleton said would prove worthless,
are now worth 81 in gold and steadily impro-
wing. Instead of 10 and 10 per cent for mon-
ey which Buchanan, the last Democratic
President, paid, the government can now
borrow at and A per cent. This, too, has
come to pass in spite oil the Democratic party.
1t is the result of Republican management.
And now, having come to this point, why
should the people keep tie Democratic party
alive, at the North or at the South? We are
at peace. An era of good feeling between the
sections has been inaugurated. The credit of
the government is first class. Paper money
which farmers get in return for their produce
is almost as good as gold. We have passed
through the period of shrinkage, and now,
with good crops and large foreign demand
we are entering upon period of prosperity;
not of imitation, but of solil recovery and
healthy growth, and all this in spite of Demo-
cratic opposition and Democratic support of |
unsound gnancal theories. 1t IS easy to see
now where the country would be politically |
and financially, if the Democratic party had
had its way in the last twelve years, or in the
last seventeen years, or even in the last two
years. No sensible man, therefore, ought to /
care to keep that party alive. 1t will prove a
mischievous party if it should ever get into
power, as it would have proved mischievous |
party any time in the last seventeen years, if
it had had chance.
1t now remains for the people of Ohio to
indorse the settlement of the Southern ques-
ton; to shake hands with the people of the
South who have accepted the situation; to
indorse the reforms that have been effected in
the public service, and to show their gratitude
for the sound financial principles and the good
crops, that make revival of business posi-
bic, by voting the Republican ticket. Ordi-
narily it would not make much difference
which party filed the Gubernatorial chair for
four years; but under present circumstances
the expression of Ohio will have most i'm
portant bearing upon the future, both as re-
CARDS business and politics, and, therefore,
this great State should give no uncertain
sound. The great ship of State is in the right
track. Keep it there.
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