The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-01-18
ICIHCIIIIdII UHZtIltsI
Democratic Principles.

I'LL. OdIlISiOs VI heHGuChS, WIN 10 q
prominent candidate for Speaker Of
the next House Of Representatives,
published an interview in which he
opposes the abolition of internal reve-
nue. taxes as whole, and favors a
modification Of the tariff, and with
reference to the course of the Demo-
cratic party he says:
SIN the first place, l may say gen.
orally that in order to retain the con-
fidence of the country we must stand
inhexibly by our principles, and satis-
fly the people that we are honest and
sincere in our professions. lie we ad-
vocate reforms before the election, we
must at least make an earnest effort
to secure them afterward."
But what are the principles by
which he proposes to stand inHexlbly?
The principles that led to the rebel
lion, and made the war for the Union
necessary, were Democratic. During
the war the efforts of the Democratic
party were in opposition to its prose-
cution. As party it.did all it could
to make the rebellion success, and
when Appomattox was in sight, the
party, in National Convention, de-
mended a cessation of hostilities. 1t
opposed the abolition Of slavery. 1t
opposed the creation of the war debt,
denounced greenbacks as unconstitu-
tional rags, then wanted flood OF IT.
redeemable greenbacks. 1t opposed
the National Banking system, and at
all times sought to cripple or destroy
it. On the eve of resumption, almost,
it demanded the repeal of the resump-
tion act In National and State Con-
ventions it resolved in favor Of a tariff
for revenue only. 1t favored the alb
clifton of the tax on State Bank cur
rency; always voted against such tax
and voted for its repeal, knowing that
the result would be the flooding Of
the country with unsecured paper
money authorized by State Legisla-
lures. Thus we have indicated the
'infexible principles" of the Demo-
cratic yarty, as shown by its policy
since 1860, and including that memo
rable year. And these are the only
principles it has exhibited. And we
want to know of Mr. Carlisle if these
are the principles he proposes to stand
by? If not, what are the principles
of the Democratic party?
In regard to extravagant appropria-
tions. the records of Congress show
that Democratic members were always
foremost in votiong for such expendi-
lures. The river and harbor bill, for
example, was voted for by more Dem
ocrats than Republicans. They rushed
to the front in hurry to pass 1t over
the veto Of Republican President.
Do they propose to stand by that ''in-
fexibly?"
As for civil service, the Democratic |
party'has been noted for adhering to
its ancient policy Of capturing the
spoils of office. Te the victors belong
the spoils is one of it's principles, and
the fact that it never failed to capture
all the Offices within its reach is pret-
ty good evidence that the principle is
infexible. When it obtained control
of Congress it did not permit the smell
of Republican garment even to re-
main in Office. It went so far as to
turn out crippled Union soldiers.
What, then, does Mr.. Carlisle mean
by civil service reform? Does he pre-
tend to believe that If If the Democratic
party should get into Office it would
permit Republican to retain place?
Does he pretend to believe that men
filling public offices by the appoint
ment of the President should remain
during good behavior? If he does,
let him say so plainly, and then we
shall be pointed to one principle that
will be new and that the people will
largely approve, but as to inhexible
Democratic principles, there are none
that have not been condemned and
that would not have ruined the coun-
try if they had been followed.
The last twenty years has been an
eventful period in the history of this
country, and yet in all that time the
Democratic party has not made a re-
cord of which it is not afraid to-day.
Instead of pointing to it's record as
affairs of the country, it shrinks from
it and asks the public to turn away
from it; and yet, in the face of all
this, Mr.. Carlisle says if the Demo-
cratic party is to succeed to power, it
must adhere infiexibly to its princi-
pies.
The late elections, Mr.. Carlisle says,
may be protest against Republican
mistakes, and not an Endorsement of
the Democratic party; but still he
thinks many Republicans who voted
with his side in November will Con-
tinue, partly on account of sump-
tuary legislation. Upon the staff Of
free whisky and do as you please, then,
Mr.. Carlisle thinks TIE Democratic
party may safely lean. And to this
policy he would commit his party.
Well, let him thrust that into the next |
Democratic platform, and he will |
quickly discover that the late elections
were not vote Of confidence in the
Democratic party, but a vote Of warn
10 41o Po,,,,bl,oa,o