Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-02-17
Some adyices from Washington

predict that parties are going to
break up, and divide on the tariff
questions and other live issues. For
the literal fulfillment of this pre-
diction, every patriotic citizen
should earnestly pray. There is no
state of politics so mischievous and
conducive of evil results as a state
Of apathy-when there is no real
political issues discussed and con-
tended for, and when the great aim
and endeayor Of each political or
ganization is to obtain control of the
offices of profit and trust, and in
order to obtain the desire Of their
hearts. concern themselves not so
much about what they shall advo-
cate as they do about what they
shall not advocate, lest they be-
come unpopular with the people.
That this is the condition Of parties
III the United States to-day, and has
been for years, no reading and think
ing man can deny. Men holding
the same views on political ques-
tons 90 to the polls and vote differ
ent tickets, simply because one is
headed Republican and the other
Democratic two words SO synon-
omous in meaning that no sane man
would love the one with all his
soul, while he had an undying ha-
tired Of the other, were it not for
traditions which have come down
To him and BY which alone he al
lows his conduct to be guided. Let
this sort Of political farce come to
IN end, Let political parties divide
and organize on some rational
grounds; and there will be a great
improvement in the political health
of the country.
One reason why we would like to
80 Il reorganization Of parties is
that it would, we believe, call into
existence 4 true democratic party.
We do not mean party like the
one now organized calling itself by
that name; but we mean a demo-
cratic party il our own interpreta-
ton Of that term. We mean 4
party that has positive principles Of
faith, and is not afraid to advocate
ani maintain them, no matter what
desertcrs may leave its standard i'll
consequence There are men with
cut number both inside Of the party
and out, who are democrats as
they interpret that word. To them
Il has an endearing sound; but they
are sick AMI tired Of being interro-
gated rs to the principles Of their
party and being only able to answer
that is principles are the prin-
ciples Of Jefferson and Jackson );
without being able to tell which
slde of the money question il
II on; whether it il for pro
lection or free trade; whether it is
III favor Of civil service reform, or
the dispcnsation Ut patronage as the
spoils which by right belong to the
vlctors; or whether it is III favor of
III economical administration Of the
affairs Of government, or believes in
giving liberal subsidies or grants to
corporations for internal or other inn
proyements from which the people
receive indirect benefits; or in fact
Its position on any one issue which
II before the people let there be
organized a democratic party which
will not enter a presidential canvass
declaring for 4 tariff for revenue only,
and before the campaign is over turn
around and whistle the tune of pro
lection party which will not car
- on congressional campaign with
tariff reform MS their wateh-word,
AMI when given control of the house
II representatives, elect ali arch pro-
teetionist, Samuel ] Randall, to the
speakcrship, and give him power to
block all attempts 1T that reform; in
fact 4 party which will 10 great
many things which the democratic
party Of late years has not done, and
leave undone great many things
which it has done. And then there
will be found stout hearts and ready
hands enough IL defend it through
Ill adversely We know that it is
feared, and we have no doubt that
tbs lear is well founded, that such a
policy rs this would drive from the
democratic party many men who
are nov members Of the erganiza-
ton. But let ii drive them ont.
Their place will be filled with more
and better men. II they had been
driven out long ago, the party
would not occupy the low estate
which it does to-day.
The legislature is going to make
amends for its misdeeds of last win
ter, By repeating the anti-treat law.
Drinking viii then come into fash.
ion aUain