National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06

III
name commands the respect of the American peo-
pie, that man Salmon 2. Chase. 1t is unneces
sary to speak OF his life his public services Both
are we'll remembered. 1t is the daughter of ex-
ChiefJustice Chase who has suffered at the hands
of band of irresponsible goSSips. 1t is over her
shoulders that the lash is flung at the New York
Senator. In good time the scandal-mOngers Will
be put to shame OF fthc fsity of the latest batch
of stories put in circulation there dozen wit
nesseS in Washington to-day men of the highest
character and reputation If it shall be necessary
for the vindicatiOn of womanly honor that they
bear testimony 10 the facts within their knowledge,
they will gladly do so.
New Democratic Tests.
Time was when the Democratic party
was party of many and sometimes con-
fiicting principles. Itwas sure the States
were superior to the Nation. Federal
laws were mere suggestions, to be null
lifted by any State Legislature. If State
decided that the compact it had en-
tered into was violated by all the other
States, the one State at once became a law
unto herself, and was the sole Judge ofthe
mode and measure of redress" Such was
the good old Jeffersonian Democracy.
Then came Jacksonian Democracy, which
in a tilt with Jeffersonian Democracy
would have hung Calhoun had not the gal
liant Clay interfered and made successful
mediation. Then came the ferocious
hatred of the national bank, also the
spoils system, by which the victors took
the offices; after this revival of ex-
treme Calh0unism and periodical aggres-
sions of the infatuated slave power.
To question a demand of that power
was to be fishy" and unworthy of Demo-
cratic confidence. Then war against the
Government became the rallving cry of
the Democracy in the South, and peace
and meek submission the policy of the
party at the North. For the Nations de-
fense against armed legions the Democ-
racy recommended the olive branch of
"peace at any price," but for the hostile
party, Il flaming sword, confederate inde-
pendence. and National dissolution. After
the war the Democrats demanded in be-
half of their defeated friends indemnity
for the past and security for the future.
To refuse this was to be harsh and cruel
to conquered foe. Such have been the
aims of the Democratic party in the past
Its creed in 1880 was pretended belief in
the MOrey forged letter and similar SLAM
ders and libels
The result of the presidential election
has caused a change of the Democratic
heart. We find that not only Kelly has
been thrown overheard by Tilden, but
Hewitt and Morey have been thrown
over by Josh Hart. All that was declared
true is now admitted to have been false,
and g nothing is but what is not" The
New York World, speaking for the dam
aged party, of which it is the ablest organ,
makes the following new tests for men,
bership:
The Democratic party party has spoken out
in favor of free ships and ciyil-service reform.
Whoever, therefore, in Congress does not intend to
promote these reforms cannot in party sense be
called Democrat. The only real point for inves-
tigation and deliberation is how to effect such
forms.
This is as good in its way as was the
response of the converted pugilist, who,
being asked if he loved his Lord, said /:
anybody that don't think do can get
id lively bet out of me-" And SO
anybody that doubts the proneness ofthe
Democracy for civil service reform could
doubtless lose any given sum he might
dare to wager with the editor of the
World. The prescribed dose is nota hard
one. I" Free ships and civil-service
reformw Noble and inspiriting shibbo-
leth! The old toast can be revived: {:
Gentlemen, give you the clipper-ships
of America. Gentlemen, 1 give them to
you" Free ships! The phrase has a
slight smack of abolitionism Freedom
is rather sectional word. But then
there is " free trade" to match it, and the
Democracy used to howl for free trade
while pelting abolitionists with stale
eggs. Perhaps this historical fact may
palliate the free use of the otherwise OBJ
noxious word free"
The Democrats now in Federal Office
will take kindly to the cry of civil-service
reform, and will firmly set their faces
against money contributions for (Repub-
lican) party success. And as to those who
are in the cold for the next four years,
they can clamor for the reform men-
toned on the ground of euphony.
1t sounds well, and soothes the
average Democrat in his present
depressed condition, as the word "Meso-
potamia" soothed the ear of the devout
old dame who knew not its meaning
The designs of the Democracy, as de-
clared by the World, are tempered to the
times. The red shirt of the bull-dozer,
the tissue-ballot of his more peaceful
neighbor, the long and patient vigils
of the forger and the libeler, will be
among the pleasures of the Democratic
memory, while he who would keep abreast
of the times and be remembered when the
Bourbons return to power must be able
to prove that in 1881 he was addicted to
free ships and sound to the core on civil