The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1883-04-19

What are to be the issues of the coming Pres
id,ntial campaign: Will the Democrats tempt
defeat with free trade plank? Hardly. They
were defeated on the tariff question in the last
election, and subsequent discussions and devel-
opment> have strengthened the Republican po-
siton in support of American industries and
American labor. The South. as il has grown in
Importance a manufacturing section has di-
vested itself of free trade doctrines, and to-day
there are no stauncher advocates of protection
than the leading southern journals. Without
solid NouthtLe Democracy would be powerless,
and It is by no means certain that, aside from
the tariff ISSUE there will be solid South in
ISL. There is certainly fair prospect for Re
publican successes in two or three of the South
crn States Nor is the Northern Democracy
unit for free trade. The leaders may be. but
they will soon find that the people are not with
them.
Recent victories in the West and the tone of
portion of the Democratic press would seem to
indicate free rum campaign, backed by the
money Of rumseilcr>. gamblers, lottery men and
brothpl~. Nothing succeeds like success. and
the city election in Chicago having been carried
by these means the Democracy are apparently
disposed to Try them in the national contest.
And why not: That party, as now constituted
has no regard for principle. consistency or mo-
rality. II supports an INSCRIPTIONS man like
Gen. Butler in Massachusetts, and takes such
a wreck Sprague for its standard bearer
in Rhode Island, while in Maine il has had
for IA leader man who avowed himself an
adherent of financial theories diametrically OPP
posed to time-honored Democratic doctrines.
Anything 10 catch votes. Anything to beat
the Republicans Free rum, free trade, fiat
money, momonsm. What is there, antago-
ni>tie to the industrial, social and business in
tcre>ts Of the country to which the Democratic
party has not given aid and countenance when
HERE was a prospect Of gaining votes thereby:
Ihe Democratic party fostcred and encour-
aged the Grcenback movement. and reaped all
the benefits in the way of spoils of that deu-
SION The Republican party stood steadfast by
what at one time appeared to be the losing side
and saved the national credit. the national fin
ances. and placed the business and industrial
Interests OF the country on it firm and prosper
Gus basis. In that contest the Democracy ar
rayrd itself against the material interests of the
country a. it is now arraying itself against the
moral interests. lis defeat on the free rum issue
Is - certain as was its defeat on the fiat money
taliHcy. lntemperance is recognized among en-
lightcned people the world over As Il great evil
Efforts are being made everywhere to subdue it,
The temperance sentiment is growing one and
is obtaining strong hold in the South. so that
that section can no more be counted AS solid for
free rum than for free trade. But the rum Vie
tories in Ohio, Illinois and other Western States
have encouraged the Democracy to look in that
direction for votes, and some of their organs are
already welcoming the issue. If it has to be met
it may as we'll be met next wear as any time.
ihr temperance people Of the country are ready
for the contest.