The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-04-28
PARTY ISSUES.
[From the chioago Tribune. !

from the Chicago Tribune.
There is always more or less desultory
talk about abstract party issues, and it
has come to be the fashion Of late years
with some people to contend that the
Republican party has performed its mis-
sion that it has no new ideas to adj
vance, and that it ought quietly to dis
band and die. The so-called independ.
ent in politics is constantly ventilating
this notion, and it may be worth while 10
expose its vacuity. It is certainly a
blessing to the country that there are no
such startling issues before the country
as slavery and secession were. 1t would
be Q most unhappy condition of things
il party lines could only be drawn upon
differences that shake the very forlnda-
ton of the Government. In period of
political quiet and material pros
perity party lives and thrives, or
languishes and struggles, according to
Its traditions. Party organization con-
tlnues It's usefulness in its discipline
and in the responsibility which is i'm
posed upon its public men. If it be
conceded that there are no important
issues. it certainly does not follow that
the Republican party should give way
to some new organization to administer
the Government under the laws and in
the spirit which it has implanted i'll the
American system. Exciting issues;
whether of section or class, are not. SO
desirable that parties should be encour-
aged to invent them. On the contrary,
ii it were certain that disruption of old
parties and the construction of new
parties would lead to struggle over
new issues, that prospect would be an
excellent reason for holding fast to the
lines which now exist. The country can
well afford to enjoy peacefully the fruits
of Republican work in the pasta united
country, manhood suffrage, universal
freedom, the resumption of specie pay
ments, and the assurance Of permanency
which wise system of laws give to the
republic The people do not long for
nervous and exciting contests.
No theory of expedience can suggest
that the Republican party should SUI
pinely resign the field to make room for
the Democratic party. What issues are
presented on that side which promise
progress and development? The only
Roadway which has been made by the
Democrats at any time within the past
twenty years has been due to their adop-
ton of Republican ideas. Once every
four years the Democrats produce a
platform which is more or less an imita-
ton Of Republican platforms of earlier
campaigns. Ii the Democrats have one
distinctive issue it is their adherence to
the pernicious and dangerous doctrine
of State sovereignty. Tine popular SEN
timent OF the country certainly does not
favor return to that obsolete theory.
Whenever the Democrats have been
temporarily restored to power (and
they had absolute control of Con-
gress during four years. they have failed
to initiate any measures of import or
public Importance. They were never
able to agree among themselves as to
any measure of tax reform OF public po-
itical advancement. There is nothing
In the Democratic record to inspire q
hope that universal blessings would fol-
low upon committal of the Govern
ment into their hands. But if there is
no reason why the Republican party
should give up the ghost in order that
the Democratic party may be resurrected,
it must be confessed that party which
is strongly intrenched 10 the public con.
fdence is better prepared to take up and
work out any live and burning issues
that may arise than would be new
party which might be constructed to
await their coming.
AS matter of fact, the Republican
party always finds something to do, and
generally does it promptly and eff
GENTLY. The present Congress has al
ready accomplished in one session more
useful public business than has been
done by all the Congresses that have in
tervened since the Republicans con,
trolled both houses before. By the
time the present Congress shall have
adjourned, effective measures will have
been taken to repress polygamy, to re-
strict Chinese immigration, to regulate
the count of the electoral vote Gin such
manner as to avert future dissension,
and probably to inaugurate the scheme
for readjusting the tariff upon more
equitable and enduring basis. Any one
OF these accomplishments is of more
value to the people than all the legisla-
ton to which the Democrats can point
while they were in control of Congress.
1t is folly to contend, therefore, that the
Republican party is out Of ideas or that
there is nothing for it to do. In spite
of some distressing factionai troubles,
it actually does more than the Demo-
cratic party, which is united in the
common purpose of securing the spoils.
Aside from all this, there is one issue
which will give the Republican party
vitality and force SO long as that issue
shall be in doubt in any section Of the
country-viz. the freedom of the bal
lot. So long as the Democratic party
in the South shall refuse to recognize
this essential of free government, just
SO long may it be confidently expected
that the Republican party will be on hand
to battle forit Racepreiudices, class dis
tinetion, State sovereignty heresy,
fraud, intimidation and violence
as the ruling elements of a popular
election, and all the striking features of
Bourbonism at the South must be defin-
itively and honestly foresworn before
the Republican party will retire from
the field. In the meantime this party
organization, which on more than one
occasion has developed the rare faculty
of correcting its own mistakes and pun
ishing its own offenders, will continue to
protect its past achievements, which are
represented in the constitution and laws
of the country, and will be quick to APP
propriate all new issues looking to the
welfare of the American people.
THEREFORE, RESOLVED.