The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-12
REpuB11cAN1sM AND ITS WORK.


the Republican party will triumph in the
elections next year, it is we'll enough to con-
slider what is the duty of the party, present
and prospective. Party policy must change
with the changes that the party experiences,
In the issue of campaign it is the duty
of political party to honestly
present its purpose in seeking
political preferment, and it should, so far as
action in the event of it being awarded the
care of public affairs. This is done with
greater or less righteousness in the plat
forms of principles upon which each canvass
is made. In framing these it is the point OF
those intrusted with the work to so con-
struct them within the limits of the party's
belief, as to gain the support of the greatest
possible number of voters. 1t is frequent
occurrence, therefore, that demagogy more
or less controls, and the platform is
not in exact harmony with the party's
character. 1t is the duty of voters to exam
inc the matter, and to compare the promises
thus made with the written record of such
party. If they are contradictory, it is an
evidence of false pretenses, and it is for the
voter to condemn the imposition in any
manner he may deem fit 1t is a rule, with
perhaps no exceptions in these later days.
that party platforms are made as plausible
as possible; and this is but natural, since
these platforms are recognized as the party's
argument for support and confidence.
But, after the election, the duty of the
successful party is broadened. In the cam
paign it was in debt only to itself, as dis
tnct from any other opposing political
organization. When the party's point is
gained by the election of its candidates, the
source of obligation is transferred from
party to country, and regardless of anything
that may conflict with the campaign plat
FORM the dominant party, as representative
of the majority, should seek only the
country's good, and cannot do
its whole duty if confined within
narrow party lines. The voters in
republic are its brains. Political cam
paigns are the conflicting emotions and de-
sires felt by the entire body-politic When
the issues are thoroughly considered and
majority makes choice, this is the will that
moves the entire people. AS in the physical
body every atom obeys the will, so in the po-
ltical body every man should obey the ma
jority, until the majority, or popular will,
| - to
it's course. In return for this universal ODE
dience on the part of the whole people,
the dominant party, as representative of
ALL should work for the good of all. Before
the Wills desire is understood by count of
the ballots, the party is bound only to its
constituents. After the popular will has
placed all the peoples interests in the hands
of one party above another it can no longer
live to itself alone, but must be the exponent
of all the peoples interests.
A glance over the record of the past
twenty-four years, during which the Repub-
lican party has been in executive control of
| the government, may suggest a wise course
of action now. Up to the November elections
of 1860 the Republican party was but plan,
and represented but portion of the people,
When the ballots were counted, and ma
jority had pronounced in favor of Repub-
lcan principles and gave the custody of gov
eminent into the keeping of Republican
officials, the scope of the party's obligations
widened to take in the welfare Of every man,
woman and child in the land Every inter
est, great and small, affecting the
American people, was intrusted to the
party's hands. The work of the
Republican party changed from CAM
paign ing to statesmanahip. In its dealings
with the people the interests of adherents
was thereafter to be blended with those of
ALL Up to the fourth day of March, 1861,
the Republican party was faction. From
that day TO this it has been the government
itself, according to the will of the whole peo-
pie.
Since 1861 the Republican party as the
visible source of power, and as the peoples
government has done certain public services
that were in their nature broader than any
party limits. Had it been content
to serve the party alone. it would have
let the South go, perhaps. Had the
Republican party wished only to perpetu-
ate itself, it could easily have done so by
allowing the slave States to slough off.
Those remaining would have been Repub-
lican in the majority for generations to
come. But the Republican party could not
do its whole duty within these circumscribed
limits AS executive of the countrys well
| fare it must take hold of the problem of
J Gu too rinhfe md Of rnnnssinn rrhis II did