National Republican., 1883-05-01
Why Republicans VIII Unite.


Because democratic restoration is now
menacing possibility republicans everywhere
are canvassing tho worthiest means of recon-
CLING personal and tactional differences in the
republican party. Practical unity among
republicans in the near future, following much
disputation, to be supplemented by great good
will, is inevitable, and it will ,come soon
enough to disappoint the democratic hope of
witnessing in 1885 the Inauguration of power
pledged to undo the patriotic work of the
last twenty-five years.
Unquestionably the issue of protection to
American industry and labor will conspicu-
ously affect the result of next years contest
Upon that issue tho enemy already retreats
Even at social gatherings of its leaders democ-
racy cannot conceal its purpose Of futile
dalliance" with the most serious questions
affecting the public welfare, and its wavering
lines break in cowardly fight at the first
challenge to avow its real faith and purpose.
Bayard, the Pecksniff of democracy, shelters
ceitful methods of Van Burenism, and upon
the tariff question shows himself as much
"doughface" as when, like Van Buren,, he
postures as northern man with southern
principles" Watterson brilliantly belabors
the "iackassical nonsense" Of Carter Harrison,
in forcing to the front an issue upon which
olr
cut or Pennsylvania, either in national
democratic convention or at the polls on tho
day of election. Nevertheless Carter Harri-
son has carried his point; he has forced his
democratic comrades to his position-i. G.
get the office by ignoring one, or all, if neces-
sary, Of the prime questions of next years
and Bayard, and trusts one as much as it does
the other, and as much as it trusts the demo-
cratic party.
In contrast with democratic evasion and
subterfuge, the country accepts the present
and past attitude of the republican party
upon all questions affecting its material well
fare. Republican unity upon practical ques-
tions, like tho tariff, is one guarantee of a
united republican party next year-the same
republican party to which the country owes
its present prosperity, and whose past is its
best plea for popular confidence as to all
questions affecting commerce and industry.
The present administration voices party
i,,,a fhnea xytfa al al
voices republican sentiment in its consistent
and determined policy of recovering the
south from the bclittling sectionalism in
which it has,Aoundered for half century
Bourbon perversity and recalcitraucy to
the spread of the national idea in tho south
will compel republicans to renewed brother
hood. For democracy will be prompt to ac-
cept the tender of the issue of nationalism
against sectionalism. Within thirty years IL
has had no hope of getting or holding power,
save through that "solid south" which, with
the aid of beggarly account of northern
electoral votes elected the last democratic
president. A solid south forced the union
to fight for its life, and it is now the dreamed
of reliance of democracy to reinstate itself in
possession of the national government. The
administration has led the party in the work
of shattering the solid south. Virginia first
cracked the iceberg in 1881. North Carolina
aud Florida will be easily secured next year
and 1884 will be hereafter a red letter year
In American calenders-the year of the fnal
disappearance of that fifty years menace tc
the peace of the cOuntry-a solid south.
Upon this plea of nationalizing the south
the republican party has an issue which will
develop all its dormant enthusiasm. And
democracy, in all its vast numbers, in all it,
undying hates and prejudices, will be found
fighting even to the "last ditch" to perpetu
ate the sectionalism which makes il a for
midablo force in American politics 1t will
drive republicans to unite, as they have
united in every crisis since 1851, to arrest III
march 70 power, The traditions Of PaTtie
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