National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-05-13
WASHINGTON MAY "a. 1850.
POLITICAL AND PERSONAL DUTY.

rial interests hang upon the preservation oil
those principles that underle the structure
of the government, which protects the
rights and conserves the equities of the
governed, and which derives its powers
from the popular voice. The constitution
is n creature of the people. The lnw-mall-
ing power of the government emanates
from the determinations of what is recog-
nized rs the popular will. The president
and vice-president are designated by the
ballots of the voters of the nation. In deed
and in fact this government is " of the peo-
"ple, by the people and for the people"
and the poorest and most obscure voter in
the land speaks through his ballot0vith the
same power rs he who is regarded as the
most wealthy and distinguished. Thus
every American citizen, 50 far us his ballot
goes, is placed upon common plane and
is equally responsible for the character Of
the government whether it be wise or
otherwise, just or unjust in its administra-
ton of public affairs.
In view of these irrefragable ipcts, there
appears to be only u poor appreciation of
the legitimate responsibilities which attach
to American citizenship. The eye that
should jealousy seek the general good is
too often blinded by personal prejudice and
ambition. The administrations OF the gov
erment have continued for more than
century-with the varying policies that
have marked their careers. The people
have been divided into parties, and under
these divisions has power alternated and
policies been changed, thus filling up the
chapter of our political history. The dem
oeratic party has the greatest longevity,
and hence its principles aud policies have
been the longest tried, and have been made
for the widest period the object of popular
criticism and judgment. In the early
history of the democratic party it
seemed to seek line of policy which
should secure the greatest good to
the greatest number of the Ameri-
can people, but fifty years ago it lost
its path, and has since been wandering in
the wilderness of experiment and doubt.
1t has been invariably hostile to the prnci-
pie of protecting the manufacturing inter
ests Of the country through the agency of n
tariff. 1t was the friend, advocate and ally
of human slavery until that institution vir-
tually died by its own hand. Fifty years
ago it commenced o war upon the United
States bank, which gave the people the best
paper currency ever known TO our history
except that which now exists, and contin-
ued its war with unrelenting fury until
that institution was overturned and the
country was flooded by the paper of state
banks, which held sway of fraud over the
business interests Of the people until they
hungered for change. Thus the nation
had worried through series of democratic
administrations with slight intervals until
1860, when the people, tired and vexed
with democratic policies and frauds, swept
that party from power and inaugurated a
new administration under the guidance oil
ABRAHAM LINCOLN and republican con-
gress.
When this change was effected and the
democratic party was RELOCATED to sub.
ordinate position in the government OF
affairs, then came q democratic rebellion to
overthrow the government, and for the
simple reason that that party had lost
power to control its political interests
This rebellion cost the people Of the United
States millions of lives and thousands oil
millions of dollars, for every life and every
dollar Of which the democratic party is re.
sponsible. Since 1856 the republican party
has confronted the democratic party with
its most patriotic efforts to rescue aud save
the nation from democratic rule. It has
contonded on the field Of battle, in con-
grcss, in the executive departments and at
the ballot-box to conserve the best good oil
the government and the people through
wise and patriotic principles and policies. II
has held the reins Of power continuously in
the executive and judicial branches of the
government and fora long period in the legis,
latiye, every moment of which time the
republican party has been inspired by 10y
atty to the union, devotion to the manulac
turing interests Of the nation a desire fol
honest money to subserve the business in
tercsts of the people, freedom and equa
rights for all, respect for the constitution
and the laws, an honest payment of al
national, state and personal debts and
government which shall know no dstinc
lions of race, birth or complexion in con
fcrring political rights upon the people.
The two parties hold about the same re
laiion to the government and its policie
that they have for fifty years-the demo
Gratis antagonizing and the republicans sus
tanning what is for the prosperity Of Tn
country and the welfare Of the people
Their attitudes are so well understood tina
thc.e is little difficulty for the people t,
discover which is in the right and which i
in the wrong so far MS national Interest,"
and policies arc concerned. Tho great dan
ger now is that personal ambition in thu
republican party has risen above patriotism
aud instead Of sustaining principle there Il
too strong q disposition to waste energy aud
EFFORT in personal adulaion, aud purpose
to elevate one person above another by ma