The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-10-01
The Republican Party.

The Republican party was founded 10
hostility to the South. The abolition of
slavery was one ofits chiefobjects. When
the late war came on it denied its platform
aud its President avowed that only the pre-
scryation Of the Union was desired. The
same sentiment was reiterated in Congress
Upon this declaration the people Of the
North and West, Democrats and Republic
cans, rallied to the standard of the Union
and carried tho war to successful issue.
But. entrenched IN power by force of cir
cumstauees, the Republican party was en-
nblsd to carry out the object for which It
was organized, and not only abolished sla-
very, but by every means in its power en-
deavored to place the eolored man upon an
equal civil aud social position with the
white race. During their supremacy, from
1861 to 1876, legislation for the elevation
Of the negro was the chief part Of the bus
mess of Congress They carried this one
idea so Ear that the people revolted, and
complete overthrow threatened them un-
less a halt was called Since then they
have attempted to formulate set Of prin-
ciples, but they have been so at variance
with the constitution and the traditions OF
the country, that an appeal to the passions
Of the late war was their only hope, aud
they have never failed to use that means
for perpetaating their power, Even this
failed in 1876. and the party was over
thrown. By manipulating returns, false
swearing, and fraud, they managed to re-
tain the administration, and in doing 50
came near plunging the country iato
another civil war. 10 1880 when defeat
was again staring them 10 the face, by In
timidation and the power Of money they
we're again successful, though then, as in
1876, they we're in a minority on the pop
ular vote. As to principles, the party
have none. They hold together BY the
cohesive pOwerof public plunder, and if the
records at Washington could be examined
the fraud aud corruption that would be
exposed would cause many an honest fol-
lower in the party to stand aghast in as
tonishment OF late the sPoiIs have not
been enough to satisfy all, and wrangie
over the loaves and fishes has resulted in
the assassination of the President What
more may come of il Is difficult to fOretell.
The record of the party is most shame
full one. It has
Suspended the Writ of Habeas Corpus,
Upset State Governments with the fed
eral military,
Upheld earpet-baggers whilst they plum
dered the people Of the South,
Invaded States and surrounded the bal
lot-boxes with soldiers,
And all this when peace had been de-
clared and no exigeneies of the war could
be pleaded. Under its rule
Whisky rings thriyed;
There we're Rings in the Navy Depart
ment
And in the War Department
Star route contractors swindled the poo
pie out Of millions, and contractors and
jobbers were permitted to rob and plumber,
and many in power shared in the profits
If the party ever had day of useful
ness, the day has past, and it is time the
people were awakening and comprising its
overthrow. It has twice nearly brought
the country to state Of anarchy, once by
its greed for power when it stole the pres
idency, and recently by faction fight in
its own ranks, when President was assas-
sinated as the outgrowth of it.