The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1878-03-16
THE ONLY DIVIDING ISSUE.

ho Nhst u pEtjNiltt buliL up III
the minds of the people of the north
and south by the questions which even,
tuated ia an appeal to arms having
been scaled and raised by that conflict.
has narrowed down the question which
divide the two great parties TO one Of
fundamental principle concerning the
character OF the central government.
With the exception of the tederalist
and auti-tederalist plank, the platform
OF the two parties from 1872 back 10
the creation Of the republican party. are
no more applicable to the present than
the ordinances OF secession or the fugi>
tive slave law. All of the questions
which agitated the two sections have
been finally settled 10y the results ofthe
war and belong to the dead past. The
only dividing issue between republicans
and democrats, and il dates back TO tie
birth Of parties, Is whether the powers
of the general government shall be
limited to the plain grant OF the consti-
tuition. or whether powers not granted
under that compact shall be usurped
and exercised
the republican party assumes 10y
their higher law absolute and unlimited
power for the central government they
would, like the tederalist from whom
they inherit the principle. revolutionize
our whole system aud consolidate IN
the hsnds of congressional majority
and the executive, the supreme and
unchecked political power Of the coun>
try. The democratic party il for con
stitutlonal law strictly construed. limit.
ing the powers OF the general govern.
ment TO clear and specific grants, and
leaving TO the states the undisputed ex.
ercise OF all powers not granted to the
central government, that the great
leitersonian principle of local self gov.
eminent may exist free from federal
domination and interference. The
struggle IL for constitutional free gov,
eminent against the despotism of ma.
lority rule in the hands of ignorant
preludiced, irresponsible aud shifting
members. This issue has been at the
bottom of all our politics, has been the
main question which has stood success
lively between the federalists, wings aud
republicans and democrats and is as
vital to-day as it wa. in apte-Jsl2a,a
times
While in comparison with It all trans
itory ISSUES are Of minor and insignifi.
cant importance, it must not be forgot
ten that the public questions of the
day and generation which surrounded
this fundamental one of government,
were at the time vital forces in the
canvass-for instance the question of
squatter sovereignty. In the manage
ment of the canvass in Texas, it will
be the part of wisdom not only TO
keep the necessity for the success of
the democratic party in 1880 clearly in
view, but so align the party on all
question of the day. whether of state
import or not, as to command the sue
cess of the party elsewhere were they
do exert force. The question rela.
ting to the finances of the country
viii not down TT party bidding, can
not be lodged, and must be faced in
the approaching state canvass Itviial-
ly concerns the welfare of every home,
and is the question of the generation. |
Until system Of finances, based UPON
sound principles and adapted to our |
people, to our condition and our cen. |
tury Is permanently established. cam
Daigns will be lost and won upon this |
question. The next democratic repre-,
'entation in congress must carry into
he organization of the house the pres. |
-ige OF success upon this question, or be
placed by the republicans at disadvant-
lge in 1880