Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-03-08
Pr;mordIal Principles.

from the rise and fall OF the Republi'
can party.
After long years Of hard and patient
labor in preparation, its first great vic,
tory was easily and cheaply gained.
Power, Office, money and the greatest
interests ever combined we're overcome,
and its victory was won without money
and without the support of interested
persons by q simple appeal 10 the peo.
pie. II had no money and it needed
none-its capital stock was great idea
and mighty sentiment. Free labor
was the pattle cry which carried every
thing before it, aad was the great tidal
wave which cut a new channel for the
current of success to follow for years
1t used the time servers, it did not
give them command.
1t has fallen, and "the grand old par.
ty' is a thing of the past. Its success
brought to itand attached to it all time
servers, place hunters, and all special
selfish and narrow interests. No great
idea longer animates the party, no great
minds now control its impulses and di
rects its destiny. Its founders have
died, its leaders fallen BY the wayslde,
or disguised, retired to private life, and
rings, special interests and public plum.
derers now fill the places once occupied
by Lincoln, Sumner and Wade.
During all these years, the Demo-
cratic party in large measure has been
negative party. Timidity-fear to
undertake that which might be oppos-
ed to power, money and interested or
ganization-has demoralized the party
and repeatedly led it to defeat. Great
victories are won upon great ideas
not by pettifogging and by money.
There are times when the people are
not stirred by any great idea or sentl-
ment, when the question Is merely as
to who shall fill the Offices, when the
vote is about balance and a trifle may
turn the SCALE that it will not do to
underrate these persons The desire
for official plunder, the venal element
and lower motives, exercise large In
fluence. To be in power, to command
an army of officials, to be able to draw
upon large and interested interests,
is great advantage, and creates for
midable power. But the lower motive,
the time servers, place hunters, ETC.,
have less influence upon the general
public and current of affairs than they
are generally supposed to have. The
great tidal waves which really cut the
new channels and determine where the
food shall run are but little influenced
by these lower forces.
The Democracy has now an oppor-
tunity to relieve itself of the charge of
being merely negative party-one Of
opposition, camping tonight where its
opponent camped last night. The Dem.
ocratic party can to-day embrace a
great idea, positive issue and pro-
gressive policy. 1t has been too long
the case that men would DEFY Demo.
crat or Republican to point out the
distinctive differences, and this COM
mentary has been to certain extent
just, as to a surface view and as to
mere issues; although wide and sub
stantial difference still existed in the
principles and tendencies and modes of
thought of the two parties. At last,
however, Democracy has substantial
issue, great idea, backed by o just
and all but universal sentiment in favor
of the industrial equality of all men,
equal opportunity in life under condi-
tions bearing upon all alike, and the
sweeping out of the way all that op,
poses this essential condition. Thus
armed, Democracy need take no heed
to enlist the timeservers, the office
seekers, and the would be bosses Of a
new rule; it need not oestir itself to
win contributions, to mass private in
terest against private interest, to fight
the devil with fire. 1t need not fear
bossism, the protective association, nor
money. 1t will only need money for
legitimate expenses; the people will
command the time serving class, and
Democracy need not hasten to put
itself under their command. The idea
and sentiment will win, and money,
power, official army, time servers, and
bosses will not prevail against them.
Because wholesome and substan-
tial reform in the protective system
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