Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-12
THE NATURE OF THE CHOICE.

are waste of time and argument. The
real question, and the only one which IS OF
Importance to the great mass of voters
who have no direct personal interest in
politics, is, under which of the two parties
is the country most likely to prosper.
The election of Hancock would involve the
turning over of the Government to the
Democrats, with whatever such change
implies. No matter what significance
might have been given to Hancock's per-
sonality during the campaign, after it
the Democratic party would be the most
conspicuous object in the foreground of
politics. His election would be the tri-
umph not only of men but of doctrines,
and among the most momentous OF the
doctrines which would thus receive popu-
lar approval is that which declares that
the republic is not nation, but merely
confederacy of independent States 1t IS
idle to say that this question has already
been so defnitively settled that it can
not again be brought IN issue. No ques-
ton can be regarded as settled so long as
a moiety of the voting population refuses
to accept the settlement, and insists on
treating it as open. The doctrine
of States Rights is chung to with stubborn
tenacity by the Democracy, and it will
assuredly be acted upon by them at the
first opportunity. 1t is doctrine which
conflicts with the whole modern develop
ment and tendency of national life, and
which cannot be put in operation without
undoing the most important work Of our
statesmen during the past twenty years.
The advent to power of the Democrats
would further involve the establishment
of that Southern dominance which to-day
rests upon systematic Mexicanization of
ten States of the Union. This means that
Democratic government must rest mainly
upon the denial of free suffrage in those
ten States, and consequently must depend
upon open usurpation. For it cannot be
| concealed that the Democratic party to-day
bases all its hopes of success upon what is
called the solid South )" the South, that
is to say, which has been deprived of re-
publican government. The Democrats in
fact are playing with loaded dice in this
game, and every thinking man should real
ize it. The election before the country
is not expected to be a fair trial of the
strength of opinions. 1t cannot be an ex.
ercise of the untrammeled rights of free
men. Republicanism relies upon honest
conviction alone, but Democracy puts its
trust in rifle clubs and masked banditti,
and boastfully estimates the strength
it expects to acquire by strangling Liberty
throughout the South. Is this scheme of
politics a recommendation to the party
that adopts it? Can there be any good
ground for believing that party which
begins by force and fraud, which relies
upon bulldozed States, which secures ma
joritics by suppressing the ballots of its
opponents, is trustworthy in other re-
spects The country can have nothing
but danger and evil to anticipate from the
policy of an organization which knows no
way to victory but by trampling upon
free institutions.
Denial of nationality; renewal of
Southern dominion; conformation of Mex
lean methods in American politics war
against the entire policy of the country
since the rebellion; these are among the
certainties of Democratic success. On the
other hand it can be said of the Republi-
can party that with all its faults and fail
ures it is the party of free thought, free
expression, a free ballot, national union,
and unfettered progress. Its record is il 4
Eliminated by magnificent achievements in
the interest OF freedom. 1t has ever
striven to cnfranchise, to enlighten, to bet
| ter the condition of the whole people. 1t
is the party which recognizes and insists
upon national education /; which assists
all liberal and progressive enterprises
which seeks to fit the poorest and hum
blest for the highest and most hon
orable positions. by disseminating the
only real equality possible, namely, the
equality of intellectual development. II
has had its black sheep, and still has
them, but what powerful organization has
ever been without reproach upon this head,
and what thinking man can persuade him.
self that the Democracy is more free from
| the same tendencies? Whenever it has
been tried it has been found wanting The
present Congress has not given any new
cause for popular confidence in Democratic
proficiencies. The Republican party has
no claim to be immaculate. There are
plenty of spots on its garments. It has
been disgraced and discredited repeatedly.
But when the worst has been said of it the
! fact remains that it represents the great
principles OF nationality and liberalism and
education and progress, and that it has
been faithful TO those principles through
out its career It stands for the convic-
tons whose resolute enforcement saved the
Union. Itstaads for the convictions whose
resolute enforcement subsequently saved
the national honor 1t stands for
the convictions which have been
opposed to the incessant assaults upon
the national credit issuing from
the Democracy. 1t is identified with every
measure which has helped to make the re-
public strong and great. 1t has struggled,
against powerful resistance, to give the
country sound and safe currency. I'm
der the administration of President Hayes
it has been purged of its worst defects, and
the country has never had cleaner or
more creditable Government than it now
possesses. With the promises held out in
the career OF its present standard bearer,
the party can confidently appeal to the
patriotism and judgment OF the people. 1t
can insist that it's record and creed
shall be fairly compared with the record
and creed OF the Democracy, and it can
rest content to abide by just verdict
upon the evidence.
----------- . -----------------