The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-07-06
THE PROSPECT.

Unless all signs fail the democrats will
achieve an easy victory in November, and II
they do the republican party will probably
pass to dissolution. And it is time it should.
The party has accomplished the mission for
which it was formed, and accomplished 1t
thoroughly; and since it has failed, or, to
speak more correctly, since it is impossible
for a political party to furnish itself with a
new purpose of existence a second rdiSon
a. etre, upon the accomplishment of the one
originally serving as the pond of union for its
members, it will be better by far for the
country if the republican party become disin-
tegIated, to reform under a different name
and on some of the real issues of the day.
Just now that party claims the responsibility
of power, not because Of anything it proposes
to do; not because of any ~clear-cut policy on
any subject which j. offers us as deserving of
our appreciation or support. Indeed, in coming
before the people and claiming a renewed
lease Of life it has little to say of itself or Of
its prospects. Instead Of this it points to the
democratic party as an organization utterly
unworthy of the nations confidence a party
u NV ~ IL u piioi 'iii'i-'
the forms of law thai which armed rebellion
failed to achieve on the field of battle; a party
which it would be simply national suicide to
elevate to power. This is in few words the
republican profession of faith respecting The
democrats. If we accept it, and act or il;
then it follows as Il matter Of course, that in
this country there is but Que organization de-
serving the name Of a political party, to-Wit,
the republican, the ether organization being
merely a band of rebels Who have assumed
the disguise of party methods for the better
accomplishing Of their nefarious projects.
And il is his view which the republicans are
continually urging upon us for acceptance ,
worse still it is the pract cal adoption ofthis view
that has assured for the republicans so long
u lease of power. Men voted the republican
ticket not because they approved the shameless
| disregard of constitutional methods and the
violence offered the constitution itself of
which that party was Eabitually guilty but
because the only alternative presented them
was to vote for another party which. instead
Of designating the constitution in Tie &C
compliShment OF purposes in accord with the
Union sentiment, would very likely distil-
guish itself, immediately upon reaching
power, by still more flag ant violations Of the
constitution in the direction Of "annulliug
the results of the war; And thus it hap
peNed that the republican party was kept in
power not because Of a preference for its
methods and objects, but rather because OF
The dread inspired by its rival.
But this cannot last always. Government
by majority requires two parties, from one to
the other of which the popular majority can
be transferred, according as the doctrines ad-
vocated by one or the other may find favor in
the eyes Of the people. We cannot, if we are
to make any advances in the art of govern
ment, continue Indefinitely to entrust to one
party the admini..ia ration of the government.
Sooner or later a change mist come; and
since it partakes Of the nature of a political
party to become corrupt as it grows older :
to become more aud more Tie crea-
ture Of lings and cliques, the sooner
this change is made the better, pro-
vided it can be made in safety. And that the
time has come when the change can safely be
made is the opinion of thoughtful men.
Rising superior 10 the clap-trap of mere party
ism, thinking men perceive that rot only is it
necessary to have two parties, each deserving
Of tie peoples confidence, in order that the
affairs OF the nation may be properly admin,
istelcd; but further, they see that We can
never become 4 really reunited people until
power will Lave passed from The party Veto.
riOus in the late war, and until party lines arc
reformed without reference to that war; ne"
parties in which those who wore the blue and
those who wore the grey can mingle indis
criminately. When that day comes; whel
we shall lave two great and nearly evenly
balanced parties possessing in the sarne de
gree the public confidence, as far as thei.
l principles are concerned and bidding agains
| each other by legitimate means for the publ
: favor, then We shall possess Il really ''strong
+ government, strong because it will rcprcsen
The free and unc0nstrained wishes OF a FREE
people. The defeat and dissolution Of the re
publican party would contribute to this end
Upon its defeat, the party finding itself III tn
@ minority, would necessarily be compelled t.
q make a change from the policy which in it
f. overthrow had been repudiated by the people
IS Such a change could be effected by its reol
ganizatiou, with civil service reform, til
tariff, the currency. or some such question q
the new party creed. The adoption of y ne
e aim for the party would bring Il chang
l. of membership not only in its own ranks bl
IS in the ranks of its opponents. New party line
. would ha formal reu3rIlpSS of pa00rlph;c;
al divisions. A general change of membershi
a re-enlistment, or transfer OF alleg
ance from one party to the other won