The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-07
ONE MEANING OF 1T.

enthusiasm that was manifested by all the
people, apparently without regard to political
bias. This, of course was particularly graft
| flying to Republicans, as evidencing the
high regard entertained for the man selected
| by their votes to be chief executive of the
nation. But there was deeper significance
than mere enthusiasm that will quickly pass
away. The probability is that should the
President return to Louisville within a fort
night, his coming and going would attract
no more attention than that of any other
man prominent before the nation. But his
visit there revealed sentiment in the hearts
of the masses that is assuring to all lovers of
the Union. 1t showed that freed from the
excitement and unnatural prejudices of
party politics, the people of the country
were loyal and patriotic, instinct with that
pride of country which through all ages has
preserved nations and peoples from dissen-
sions within and threatening enemies with
out 1t needs but the revelation of circum-
stance to show all the people proud
of our institutions, and glad in their
hearts that the United States is q union in
deed of all the States, union of commercial
interests and fealty to a common flag
The people, the bone and muscle and motive
power OF this great ody-politic-are alive
to every advantage enjoyed under the pro
lection of this mightiest republic the world
ever knew The individual atoms in a
block of granite are no more closely allied
and solidifed than are the people upon
whom, as upon foundation of adamant, is
erected. the grand superstructure
of the American Union, There
are exceptions but they are
rare, and Intellectual to work lasting harm.
The people, left to themselves, would in
diligently work out the great problem of
self-government. 1t is only when handled
by designing and deluded men, or blinded
by prejudice, that they forget to discrimi-
nate between right and wrong. But once
set fairly in the right, it would be difficult
| to move them out of it. The people of
America, exercising the greatest political
freedom ever enjoyed by the masses, are as
patriotic and intelligent as any found in any
country in the world Their love of country
is based on joint proprietorship. They cher
ish it as they do their homes-be-
cause it is theirs, to do with as they please;
to elevate and perpetuate or to tear down
and destroy The dignity of his position as
all American citizen is felt by every intelli-
gent man. in every quarter of the Union. 1t
is but most natural that he should
feel an honest pride in assisting to make his
own country the greatest and best ever
it, its power to his advantage. 1t were nobler
| to be a Roman than Vandal; more
creditabe to be an Englishman than Hot
tentot, and altogether more honorable to be
an American citizen in its better sense than
to be the subject of any potentate
that ever led armies to conquest or built en-
pires out of warning tribes In America the
people are sovereign, tine voice of the major
ity makes and unmakes men and parties
A king would find no kingdom here, dicta-
tor no followers. The autocrat of America
is the American voter. To him must all APP
peals be addressed, and from him all COM
mands must issue. 1t is his to give character
to the government under which he lives, and
naturally he realizes the advantage of good
and bad authority.
Viewing these palpable facts from par
tisan standpoint, there is very much
in the demonstration that greeted
the President at Louisville and on his way
through Indiana for the Republican party to
glory over. No such ovation would have
greeted President Arthur had not his ad-
ministration been acceptable. The country
is prosperous in every department. Public
affairs are managed with a skill and fidelity
marvelousy exact. The public debt has
been so far reduced that the propriety of
| further reduction is a question that will
soon have to be decided. The interest rate
has been cut down as rapidly as posi-
ble Economy and retrenchment have
! been practiced in every department
Commercial industry has been fostered until
every energetic community has become a
manufacturing one. Mills and factories are
springing up on every hand. The great
South, so long behind the enterprise and en-
ergy of the times has caught the spirit of
progress and is rapidly advancing to place
at the side of the North. The policy OF tine
government under Republican management
has been and is such that every business en-
| terprise has been aroused to heathest
activity, From fostering the mills of Man
chester we have turned to building