The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-12-19
Our Opportunity.

49, ORPoA tohkSys
The tidal wave which has swept so
,leanly over the country has furnished
he Democrats not only with complete
victory, but has also given them an op-
3ortunity such as they have never had
iefoFe In the history Of the two great
political parties The victory is to be |
received with such manifestations Of
Joy and satisfaction as may seem prop
er, but the opportunity is to be studied
and viewed in all its various
phases. Itis evident that the people of
the country are through with the corr
rupt Republican organization and are
disgusted with its political depravity
and decent. They look to the Demo-
cratic party, the party of and for the
people, in.ihe future. In other words
the opportunity is given the Democratic
party to respect the confidence placed in
it BY the great mass of voters. and in
crease it by wise legislation and honest
administration. For the next two years
the victorious party will be on proba-
tion. Its course in Congress, where its
maj j,rty is overwhelming, will be close
ly watched and criticised, in view of the
Presidential election IN 1884 The young
men raised to positions Of gravity and
honor in their several States will also
be closely watched in view of material
for the National Convention to he held
two years hence. In fact the Democrat
ic party as it stands to-iay has every
opportunity to so conduct itself, in the
interests of good government aud the
people, that in 1884 the voters of this
country will say, well done, good and
faithful servants The Republican party,
tuasy as it has been, of recent years, in
plotting and hatching schemes of ex-
treme danger to the institutions Of a
free government, has received death
blow which only worse legislation on
the part of the Democrats can condone.
This blow can not purify the party 10
two years, and it remains only for the
Democratic party to prove to the coun-
try its ability to guide the course OF pub
lie affairs in the interests of the many
and not in the interests of the few This
is the opportunity the people have given
the party and if it does not improve it
and win the next Presidential fight it
!! will be no ones fault hut its own. The
voters have thus backed the Dem )cratie
party that it may carry out those re4
forms which the Republican party have
either fatty refused to do. or have pur
posely DELAYED action in regard to-
There is a meaning to this victory that
is rs plain as the incompetency .ofgthe
Republican party. The first duGy of the
Democrats is to reduce the expenses of
every branch of the Federal Govern
ment.. Let the watchword be simplicity.
economy and honesty. The first prin-
ciple is the secret of success In Re-
public like ours and was carefully and
honestly fosterei bv the glorious ances-
tors of the Democratic party. The Sec
ond principle, ECONOMY, is necessary tn
the third. Honesty in the government
of the affairs of the people means ecnn
omy. 1t means an honest use Of the
moneys of the people, and not the use
of that money in the manufacture and
log-rolling of such gigan'lc seals as the
"River and Harbcr Bill" The second
duty of the Democratic party is to ahol-
ish the internal revenue ab1mination.
which Thomas Jefferson wisely called
"an internal revenue" Abolish sys
TEN of internal revenue which plays into
the hands of cUterie of monopolists
and oppresses or drives out of the iieid
of competition the small, struggling
manufacturer. The match tax is an ex
ample of this By this Internal system
of revenue tai ,tion the small manufac'
tnrer Of matches Is unable to carry on
his business with any profit to himself,
He must either struggle as best he may
or else sell out to the big manufacturer
his machinery as well as ambition. The
internal revenue system fosters monop
olies and poisons small manufactures b
its unjust taxation. In addition it keeps
alive an army of offlce-hol,iing spies
who draw annually from the Treasur,
over $50, ,000,0 The third duly oi
the Democratic party is to reduce wal
tariff to tariff suitable to times o.
peace, not to free trade basis, but sufli
cient to provide for the wants of ar
honest and economical A ininistration
Lastly, let the Democratic party see to
it that it denounces and defeats all sub
sides ] lbs and steals. Let it watch the
Administration and its employees and
see that they do their duty. AS for it.
self, in Congress, if it tends to the abov'
matters, its course will be honest, econ
omical, logical ani worthy of the re
speet of all classes.
This, then, is the Democratic oppor
tunity, and it is great one. Let tht
party rise to the occasion, both in it!
administration of National affairs anC
State affairs. Let its actions in powe
inspire confidence in the voting com
munity. Prove its ability to hold th
helm OF State and enter the contest o
1884 with a clean record, honest Pur
pose and strong following which will in
sure its success in that campaign. Th
future of the Democratic party is glo
rious one, if the opportunity is take
advantage of.-Ne,o Hauen Register.