The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-09-28
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Vitality OF Parties.
IN. O. Picayune.)

IN. O. Picayune.)
The vitality of a party 10 a repre-
sntativo government depends upon
tie principles ON which it is based
rnrc than upon the current issues
d'ich it opposes or supports. When
anew party arises in a field already
coupled by two contestants it has
i: right to exist by virtue of some
Ag|e special object at which it aims.
=! new party is usually reformatory
mvement directed against abuses
eisting or supposed to exist in the
{actices of ruling parties. Yet,
'1lle it may owe its birth to single
tigcncy, it cannot long survive if
Mited to one object or one idea.
he successful prosecution of that
oject or the carrying out of the sin.
e idea into practical legislation
ruld be as destructive to the party
a failure, if there were not new OBJ
.tts and new ideas presented for its
! sport.
It has been said every year since
tt days of Jefferson that the Demo.
eric party was dying or dead, that
itad filled its mission, that its Vi
| taty was exhausted, that it was only
thshadow of a great name of the
pat, that its teachings could no Ion
gearrest public attention, that its
pntige was gone, and that the popu.
Ialheart could no longer be moved
bNs orators. These assertions have
Der made in good faith. Malcou-
ten have been sincere. The advo.
cat of new issues and new theories
has been honest in their declara.
tios and have really believed that
thearty which took form before the
,,!ln was established was in a mort
o",nft"te. Yet there has been no
La' a. EVICTION lin, in wish p5Segpesrats
totvoto of the Republic. Its rep
rcstatives have controlled the Gen
err, Government for two-thirls of
th,ast century, and even during the
> te,orary ascendancy Of it's adverse.
rv;s restraining and conservative
fp has been constantly felt. De
l fe have solidi6ed its organization
a drawn its battered ranks inc a
I fer front.
y he essence of this vitality is the
. dime on which the party is based,
$ THEORY of strict construction, of
Il 10 rule, Of State sovereignty, OF
s,ratism and individuality among
1t States, of the largest liberty to
70 ,citizen consistent with wholesome
y prnment. The name has been
j. ,scd and the principles which it
II resents have sometimes been per-
" ted, but that name of "Democra-
l. is cherished still as the synonym
't political equality.
N 'he Republican party, too, has its
Is ii principles, such as they are. 1t
IN he great antagonist Of party dem
IS acy. 1t has inherited this spirit o.
ne (agonism from the earliest advo
he es of a centralized government
rs the party of uni6cation and con
st. tdation in the Federal Govern
ut Int. It claims for that Governmen
BY J first, last and constant allegiance
- the people. Central strength !
ors ideal of perfection. Its idol i
ce.I me nation" with absolute power
'es- cannot admit that the Union is
Republic of repub|ics.' 1t canno
ae o.nceive of sovereignty in a State
aid it hates to be reminded that tn
uion of the States was the result
at;,e voluntary action Of the people.
q, a,This spirit gives to the Republica
ocarty distinctive character and vital
!. 1t is a lease of long political lif
.o,She name may be changed and a gu
'rme ssion of leading issues may have j
'nl,pport or opposition, but as long
Ih.Aere are States and Union the
n1till never cease to be a party tn
Till aggrandize the Union at the e
f'lense of the States which compo
II. 49,,
for New parties will arise from time
lime based on important issues, q
ILL o1toin arne nron0rtinna. hnt thl