The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-09-04


James A. Garfield is the aseetional
candidate for the Presidency OF the
United States. Winfield Scott Hmcock
is the National candidate, the Union
candidate. -.
Garfield is the candidate of the spirit
of sectionalism, first, by reason OF the
sectional spirit, and habit, and purpose,
and sustenance of the Republican party,
which was in the beginning, is now.
and ever shall be, a sectional party.
We will not now discuss the PROPOSE
ton whether or not In the Providenee
of God, in the days of slavery, such .
party, though sectional, was needed.
We will not now debate the question
whether or not it was humane section
alisn, in that earlier hour, upon which
the Republican party was built. WovM
not now argue the issue whether or not
the humaneness of the idea upon which
the Republican party was founded was
more beautiful than its sectionalism was
deformed. That the deformity was lost
sight of by many wise and good men in
the contemplation Of its humanepurpose
is undeniable. But other days have como.
Slavery was abolished half q gen.
Grafton ago, and the Republican party
is still sectional. Admitting thst it
was pardonable sectionalism in the be-
ginning, it is objectionable now. Ad-.
hitting that it was beautiful and pa
triotic then, it is unpatriotic and ugly
now. Admitting that such sectionalism
was necessary then, it is crime now.
For long years the Republican party
has retained power only BY the hideous
methods of keeping alive the fires OF
sectional hate, which disinterested pa
triotism would have fastened to put
out. Its only hope of retaining power
has rested in the devilish skill. the in
fernal ingenuity with which the Repub-
lican nlanipulators and office-holders-
not the Republican masses-could en-
ploy to keep sectional hate burning.
This has been the narrow foundation.
the shameful glory Of the Republican
managers for more than q decade.
These are still the hope and the inn
pulses of the men who manage the party
affairs; and Garfield is the candidate
of these methods. Inevitably, by his
position, he is the representative at this
moment of this narrow, hateful. sep
arative idea in the politics of the Union.
No only by reason of his position as
the candidate of such methods and such
party tendencies Is Garfield a sectional
candidate, but Garfield himself has been
among the most active and prominent
of those who have kept the Republican
party sectional. And Nathan said unto
David: "Thou art the man." From the
middle of the civil war till this hour,
more than seventeen years, this has
been part of Garfield's business. He
has in all this time breathed not the
pure atmosphere of Union. but the
poisoned atmosphere of sectionalism.
On the floor Of the House, and In al OF
the intervening political campaigns, in
each of which he has taken an energetic
part, his constant employment has been
to keep the sectional spirit alive. The
platform on which he is nominated bears
the dark colors of sectionalism. Gar
fields letter of acceptance does not re-
pudiate this; but, on the contrary,
emphasizes It. Therefore we say that
General Garfield, in his representative
character, in his political PERSONAL
ity, and by the Inevitable results
Of his training for eighteen years,
is the sectional candidate for the Presi-
dency of the United States. If he
could be elected, his Administration
would be one Of pronounced sectional
ism. Apart from other considerations
that enter into this campaign, this is .
commanding one; and we are convinced
that the people of this country are tired
of sectionalism, and desire peace and
union.
Winfield Scott Hancock is the Union
candidate for the Presidency. He is
the National candidate. His entire life
has been spent in the atmosphere of
the Union and not of partisanship. He
volunteered in boyhood in the service of
the Union, where he has steadily re-
manned. When the Union was in peril
he volunteered to leave place Of ease
and safety for one of danger. He has
known nothing but service to our coun-
try. Not more than three or four men,
living or dead, have rendered services
to the Union as conspicuous and splen-
did as his have BEEN And they have
been voluntary-no man more so. Gar
field volunteered for q year; he
volunteered for, life. He has not
been embroiled in any of the
petty strifes of partisanship. His ca
reer has shown no narrowness. He has
loved the Union in battle, and has loved
civil liberty in peace. He will give to
the country broad, National Admins
tration in the true spirit of Union. His
election will mean peace. 1t will mean
the extinguished embers of sectional
bitterness. 1t will take that baneful
feature altogether out of our politics.
1t win be impossible for the Republican
managers to again make this passion a
political issue. This win be o great
gain to an industrial, peaceful Republic,
benefccnce to all the the people Of
all sections of the country. It will Sc
cure that paciication which even the
Republican manipulators profess to de-
sire, and which the Republican masses
sincerely do desire. Are the American
roop1o r,yopavod 40. boot booH <hooo