The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-08-06
The Opposins Parties.

Inc VRROO1n0 -
II is the great advantage Of the pollti'
cal campaign of this year that it is to be
fought upon full comparison OF the
claims and probabilities of the two par
ties, The personal Islander Of candidates
has peen pushed 50 far in our politics
that it recoils, and wounds those who
urge it. Honorable men no more be-
lieye that General Garfield sold himself
for three hundred dollars, and then lied
about il, than that Gen Hancock was an
xious to hang Mrs. Surratt. Nothing
shows General Garfield to be corrupt
man. nor General Hancock to be blood.
thirsty man. The pot.house part of the
contest began early, and ended soon.
The two candidates represent the two
parties-their character, history. and
principles-and it is to be assumed that
the one who is elected will carry out
those principles in accordance with the
party character and history. The Re-
publican party is blamed for so much
and such constant retrospect. But it is
certainly natural both that Republicans
should dilate upon the great achieve
ments of their party, and that Democrats
should be profoundly silent about their
history. What is there in it for gener-
alton that can possibly inspire any
American, or cause his heart to swell
with pride? 1t went out OF power in
1861, after q desperate contest to extend
the area of human slavery, and after en-
harrassiug and perplexing the struggle
of the nation for life, triaing with the
public faith, and seeking every excuse
for treason and rebellion; it now holds
power in several Southern States by the
Acknowledgement through fraud and force
of those whom it can no longer enslave,
and seeks to secure immunity in its in
Justice by pleading the theory of the
government which the war overthrow in
the field. Why should anybody wish to
glory in such q history? And, on the
other hand, why should not every Re.
publican be glad and proud of his asso>
citation with a political organization
which abolished slavery, restored the
Union as bond of equal liberty, main
tanned the public faith, and vindicated
popular government as the strongest Of
all government? Parties are historical,
and, SO far a. the past is concerned, Re-
publicans arejustly proud. But it is
true that no past service condones
present offense. It was no excuse fol
Benedict Arnold, betraying his country
at West Point, that he had saved the day
at Saratoga. If to-day the Republican
party, as its opponents allege, is revolu
tionary, or extravagant, or corrupt, it Il
no reason for supporting it that it abol
ished slavery and conferred equ'l politi
cal and civil rights, nor is that Piles
urged. The argument is only that thu
presumption is in its favor. If child
has been truthful, it is fair to assume
until the assumption be disproved, thai
the man does not lie; and ifa child stole
i. is not unnatural to suppose that thu
man may be thief. The great interest
of the country, which are committed
under our system to the care of part!
administrations, are obvious, and tn
principles of the parties are known.
q party was unworthy of trust yesterday
however, it does not become worthy to
morrow, because it may select an honor
able representative. Is the act of nom
mating candidate in the furious ex
element of Convention, amid tn
clash of intrigue and bribery and false
hood, and the frenzy of moment, to b.
Of more significance than the party con
duct and policy for many years! b
what shall the claims of the Democratic
party to the confidence of good citizen
b Judged ?-by the unexpected furry
a moment which ended in the nomins
ton of General Hancock, or by the de
bates of the extra session, the deliberat
arguments of leaders from every part 9
the country; by the votes upon inancia
bills; by the elaborate conspiracy q
fraud to steal the government of Maine
by the admitted ballot-box stufing an
electoral cheating in Southern States; b
the revolutionary threat, and its q
.onn.od oxocutiou tn starye the natiOI