New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-26
BOC STRONG SHOULD TIE G0TEGNh1W
BET

HOE STRONG SHOULD TIE GOVEhNhLH
BEI
Democrats tauntingly ask sometimes no"
strong government the Republicans desire.
The question may properly be answered aud
tbare Is no essential difference of opinion be-
tween Republicans as TO the proper answer to
be gwen. 1t Is a SANDER to say that any cH'S'
NJ ReDubhcans desire abolition of FREQ govern
rnent, or establishment OF an empire bul II i
rrue that the entire party demands govern
ment strong enough to defend its'h against
rebeIGon. to enforce lis laws IN all parts Oh The
land and to protect all its citizens III ne ENJOY
ment of their rights. 1t is also true that the
Democratic party, In 1861 and ever SINCE mas
desired that the Government should not ue
strong enough 10 maintain its own existence
against Democratic Iebellioni to enforce us
laws against whlte-eaguers, bu0dozeis, OF
whiskey thieves to protect IFS officers from
! assaysination or It's citizens from the systematic
vhipmngs and killings perpetrAted by DEMO
| cratic clubs or to prevent defeat OF the VIII
of the people by outrages at the South frauds
ot the ballot-box, OF conspracies like the one
which failed in Maine.
Tbere is. IN reality, a sharply defined issue be-
tween the two parties in respect 70 the sOehs'n
of the United States Government. Democrats
want to cripple that Government so that q
Solid South, made solid by assassination ana
fraud. can secure complete control with the hid
OF Democratic repeaters and oallot-Do1 StuHe
IN few Northern cities. They want to leave
the Government utterly without power to en-
to,co DEGREES of its courts, when IA Democl attic
majority in Congress pleases to nullify law.
They want to leave the Government completely
| noverless to secure to eDiranchlsed coi0red men
tbe free enjoyment OF their rights ms citizens
! In order TO accomplish these things, Democrats
nrofess to be afraid of an empire, ana rant about
Capitalization of power. The real ann is to
make the United States Government so weak
that the shotgun and tissue ballot Democracy
can capture and control 1t.
The Republican party holds that forms OF
self Government are worse than mockery where
citizens have no protection in the Tree exercise
Of their nights, and no means of securing honest
| elections If one State pleases to suffer al
| armed mob to rule at the polls, and virtually to
appoint members Of Congress from that State
and Presidential electors, the votes from the
State SO ruled may turn the scale in the Elec-
toral College or in Congress-. and thus n Louis
lana mob of assassins may impose laws upon
other States. or place III the White House Pres
,d.pt not chosen by the free ballots Of the peo-
ME II is folly, according to the Republican
views. to say that the people OF other States
have no business to care whether laws arC
obeyed or whether elections are free III Louis
lana OF MississippIj the freedom OF suffrage
and tina honesty OF elections III each STATE arr
necessary to the integrity of selfgovernmen
in all the States and in the Union The ctizel
NJ m. United States hes a right, the Republican
hold. to 90 into any one Of the States for en-
nloyment and residence, and TO claim while TIER
the protection of just laws honestly and tImi.
administered. No other power exists to CIV
that protectioD 10 the citizen, save that OF
strong United States Government. No othe
mower exists to enforce decIees OF the highes
conrts against rebellious majority III Con
Oress. No other power exists 10 put down sc
cesson publication, or revolution in an
| form.
The Republican party is not afraid OF an EN-
n,re 30 long as the people are protected In thei
freedom. Despotism can come only when tn
neople cannot freely and honestly give expires
sion TO their will Democratic notification,
not speedily checked by strong and resolut
enforcement of law, would speedily pave th
wsy for an overthrow of republican forms, an
for the establishment of an empire. But tn
stronc government which Republicans desire
one which Democratic nullihers cannot reSis