The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-04-06

Conklng has assumed divides the Re-
publican party into two hostile camps.
Many Republican journals have expressed
themselves that the President is unwise
in taking a course which is certain to
bring discord into the party ranks. II the
end and aim Of party organization is spoils
and plunder, then the action Of the President
in making contest with q man who repre-
sents both, is radically unwise. If, however,
it is to be considered means of govern
ment, and medium for popular expression
on the government, then the President is
right, and should receive the support Of all
who are desirous Of seeing the oligarchy de-
etroyed, and the power of the people in the
government assured.
These same papers also assume that Conk-
ling will come out Of this war victorious be-
cause he came out Of similar contest with
Hayes victorious. This may prove true; but
it does not follow as a log ical sequence, be-
cause there is but little similarity in the con-
dtions affecting the two Presidents, nor but
little in the men themselves. The success or
failure of the President depends whether he
has insight and will sufficient to meet the emer-
gency by taking the only course by which it
is possible for him to take and succeed; BY
throwing the oligarchic element entirely aside
and cutting loose from the inglorious tradi-
tions of his party, gain new strength and
form new traditions from the elements which
are gathering and clamoring for a share in
the councils Of the government, which new
elements, combined, are the people.
10 arrive at this conclusion it is necessary
to examine the parties themselves, and see
how very far they are from expressing the
popular tendency, as parties, in principles
which should distinguish opposing political
elements. We fail 20 see any substantial diff
ference between them. Both profess to rep
resent policy on finance, on tariff and on
social issues and in fact, so they do, but
they are each 20 hopelessly divided on these
issues within themselves, that their practical
expr ession on them amounts to nothing. A
very casual examination will prove this.
What policy on finance has the Republican
party professed?-- simply one in favor Of pres
ervation Of the national credit-the multitu-
dinous means by which this is to be accom-
plished form points of endless division. And
this same is exactly true of the Democrats.
There is wing in both parties favorable to
what is known as the influence Of corpora
tions, and these have heretofore guided each
party alike, and they have voted solidly
whenever an issue has been made on this
point. They have also acted solidly on the
tariff issue, and in fact on al issues except
the slavery issue and the reconstruction prob
lem which was left as the legacy Of the war,
and was the natural line Of division, and the
issue which created the Republican party.
There is increasing evidence that the old
lines are breaking down, not in the organi-
zation of the parties themselves, which are
making every effort to keep them up, but
among the people, who have some interests
and tendencies which they have yainly tried
to infuse into the party organizations, and
which shining lights ID each have as vainly
tried to absorb. Thus far, the Republican
party as the dominant power, has not suc-
ceeded in reconstructing itself to meet this
tendency, even though it has been attempted
by two of its presidents, and this because
the people have not been able to affect
the governing powers, as represented by the
senatorial oligarchy. And this same force,
although it is reduced now to a very small
portion Of the whole, is seeking through the
aid which is afforded BY Democratic senators
in the hope and with the belief to de-
stroy the Republican organization, and this
small minority may succeed for the time in
doing it with the aid Of the opposition ele-
ment Of the Republican party.
1t can hardly be presumed that man with
the clear perception of President Garfield can
be ignorant of this fact, and it is a matter of
notoriety that both Blaine and Window are
in full sympathy with the new ideas, which
for the two months past have taken form
SO strong and decisive that its ends and aims
are fully understood. And with the clear
perception Of the forces at issue, and with the
certainty of support from al classes which
decided move on his part would certainly in
yoke, it would not be surprising if he did not
perceive that if he could not Identify his par
ty with this movement. the party must
break up. And if he does not succeed with
this move the party will break up, and break
up soon.
But will the Democratic party succeed in
riding this wave which will carry whichever
- :nto r