The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-07
A CONTRAST OF PARTIES.

enueaVor 10 deserve 10 Nlnt anu IL COnH-
IDENTIFY counts on the American people
coming TO a full realization of the insincerity
and untrustworthiness of the Democratic
party. Briefly stated, it has been conceded
that with very few exceptions, and those of a
minor character, the Republican party has
been always right, both in purpose and in
execution of purpose. If any proof were
needed of this declaration it may be found
In the fact that the policy of the Republican
party, on each and every issue, as announced
in its platform of principles and as
accomplished facts in the shape of
statutory and constitutional amendments,
has com to be unaualifiedly Endorsed by its
opponent, the Democratic party, The
America of to-day, in its marvellous renais-
sance from ante-bellum sluggishness and
bankruptcy, freed from the lightweight of
human slavery and placed on a solid founda-
ton of financial honor and prosperity, is the
work of the Republican party, and of that
party in direct opposition to the stoutest en-
deavors of its ancient enemy to obstruct and
defeat. Having faithfully executed the peo-
pies will in the past, it is but natural for the
people to confidently expect like compe-
tence and fidelity in the future.
But it may be argued that the time for a
change has come, and that the signs of the
times indicate a political revolution. The
result of the elections of 1882 will be cited
as proof that the popular will has condemned
the Republican party. That party has no
desire to discount the elections of last year.
Their significance was not lost, and the party
attaches full value to the meaning of the ap-
parent revulsion OF feeling on the part of
the people. Despite the sudden storm and
its threatened danger, The party was not de-
moralized. Three great and representative
States went overwhelmingly Demo-
cratic by default, and three ire
form" governments were elected.
How we'll they have met the expectations of
their friends is we'll known. The last Legis-
lature of New York was as unsatisfactory and
obstructive in its ope rations as even the in
famous General Assembly that was thrown
up from the liquor-league fermentation in the
State of Indiana. Those who hoped SO much
from it were sorely disappointed, and will
hardly repeat the experiment of helping to
elect such, while those who, through apathy
or a spirit of revenge, stayed away from the
polls-and in that State they were numbered
by the tens and hundreds of thousands-will
not suffer such a thing to happen again. The
same features are observable in Pennsyl-
vania, in which State, notably in Phil
adelphia, the leading Journals that
clamored so loudly for ideal
reform are sick of the whole business. Of
Massachusetts nothing need be said. The
election of Butler Is so manifestly and gro
tesquely ridiculous that a repetition is be-
yond the dreams of the widest speculation
in eccentric politics, The tidal wave of 1882
has completely receded, and left stranded n
lot OF political wrecks that nobody claims
and Tor which there is no longer use.
Behind all this revolution stands the
Democratic party, the same to-day in blum
dering stupidity that it was in 1861, when it
sought to reverse public sentiment by an APP
peal to arms; the same that it
was from 1861 to 1869, when it op.
posed negro civil rights and negro
qualitiedly committed itself against the re-
sumption of specie payments; the same as in
1876 and 1880, when it rashly placed itself on
record in favor of "a tariff for revenue only"
On all of these points, as on scores of Others
only less important, it has been beaten and
scattered and condemned. 1t is now gather
ing its forces for the contest of 1884, and
will certainly again meet national defeat,
because it deserves defeat. Essentially a
free-trade party, it has not the courage to
declare itself. Fearful of the people, it has
no fixed principles on this or any other vital
question. Between its Randalls and Har-
risons, its Hurds and Wattersons,
it is now enjoying a monkey and
parrot experience as it gets ready to write its
series of sophistries on which to make its in
e~ffectual race in 1884. Between these two
parties, whose services in the past are so we'll
known, the people of the United States will
again be called upon to make choice. The
Republican party has built up the bulwarks
of legislation and national policy. The
Democratic party, in every instance, sought
to retard and defeat the necessary work. The
Republican party will again plainly and une-
quivocally its purpose regarding
every national question, while the Demo-
cratic will fight to defeat, and finally be COM
PEELED to indorse and adopt, the plans pro
noSad