Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-26

The Old Issues Not Dead.
The so-called Independent press, jour
nails that coquet with first one and then
the other of the two great political par
ties. are wont to excuse themselves by
the oft repeated assertion that the old
issues are dead and there is virtually
little, if any, difference between par
ties that a sensible citizen need trouble
himself much about. Convenient as is
this excuse to the tickle journals afore-
said. it is baseless and senseless, though
there be a goodly number of unthinking
folk that agree with them.
The differences between the parties
are as wide and as positive to
day as they ever were. Radical
ism presents in itself all that
was dangerous in Federalism and Wing.
gerry, with none Of their virtues. The
predecessors of Radicalism were more
dangerous in their tendencies than in
their practice. They numbered among
their leaders and followers men that
looked before they leaped, and who were
patriotic enough to put country before
party when the need arose.
Radlcalism is avowedly destructive. 1t
has trodden down the law, the Constitu
ton, popular rights and everything that
stood in its way. 1t has served the in
terests Of corporate power to the neglect
and oppression of the. people. 1t
levies enormous taxes over and above
what are needed for the just wants of
the government. 1t robs the many to
enrich the few. 1t refuses reform, and
avows by its actions its purpose to
change the character of the government.
If it is any the less dangerous to-day than
it ever was, it is not so of itself, but
through the dissensions that weaken it
and which may assist in bringing about
its fall. 1t is the same fell agency that
has wrought manifold evils. and it
threatens to work greater ills. No man
that has fair comprehension of the
genius of our government can be Radi-
cal without silencing his reason and
parting with principle.
Democracy, on the other hand, has ever
been the champion of popular rights,
just and economical government, and of
the Constitution interpreted according
to its letter and spirit If there
are those among its leaders that
are recreant to its principles. the time
has come to reject them and replace
them with those who will be faithful to
the party's traditions and wishes. The
old issues are not dead, but are as live
and weighty as they ever were. Radi-
calism is weaker and Democracy stronger
to day than either has been before.
The Radical party strives to continue
its hold on power by employing the well
tried agencies that have served it SO often.
1t has committed to its support the rich
men of the North, whom 1t has served so
effectuallY by renewing those favors of
legislation that profit the benefciaries,
at the expense of the masses. 1t is
mobilizing the great army of placemen
that plays so potent a part in national
campaigns. 1t has issued its demands upon
all It's office-holders, and is swelling its
corruption fund. Its greatest weakness is
found in the quarrels that agitate it,
which, if prolonged, may yet destroy it.
Opposed to it stands the grand army of
Democrats, who fight only for principle
and offer to restore the government to its
ancient simplicity. While the Democratic
party lives no new one will be needed to
replace it, and it will live while the Re-
public lives. 1t wants honest, fearless
and aggressive leaders. They can be
found. The intelligent masses are Dem
ocratic in sentiment, and, if effectively
and courageously led, can free the re-
public from the control of the mercenary
and reckless partisans who, were it
poorer, would have bankrupted it, and,
were it weaker, would have throttled it,
to make way for regime of which
Grants disgraceful administrations were
| specimens.