The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-02
Where the Parties Differ,

are not thinking much about politics,
Most of them have made up their
minds what they are going to do, and
look for no new details that can
change their Intentions. But there
are many more who are merely in.
different, and others who are waiting
to see what the great parties will do.
Yet it does not follow that the elec-
tons next fall will be tame or inde-
cisive. The liquor question is apt to
drop to the rear miner and local is.
sues will shrink out of sight as the
approach Ofan0ther Presidential cleo
ton is realized and men will turn
their thoughts once more to the cues
ton which must after all be the de-
cisive one, namely, whether the one
party or the other, judged by its past
record and its continent elements,
can most safely be instructed with
the vast responsibilities of national
government. Circumstances are like
ly to arise before the voting begins
next fall which will bring that ques-
ton very sharply to the minds of
men. The Democrats dreadit. Above
all things they desire to escape az
other public verdict upon their own
past record.
Before long, however. that party
will meet in convention in several
important States. In these bodies
the contest between different ele-
ments of which the party is compos-
ed will cone to head. One set of
leaders or the other will be put for
ward to speak for the party. Nomi-
nations and platforms will show
which element has the upper hand.
Last year the Democrats had the adj
vantage of almost as many different
DISCUSSES as there are different States;
in some they protested to care for
nothing but beer and whiskey; in
some they were only anxious to resist
mon0polies in some they cloaked
scramble for office under pretended
zeal for civil service reform and in
others they promised as many differ
ent revisiOns of taxation and the tar
if as there were distinct interests to
be conciliated. This year, in spite of
! themselves, their nominations will
mean something. Certain definite
measures have been passed by Con-
gress, and Others are loudly demand
ed, and an attempt TO be non-commit-
tai will now be quite as significant as
the most explicit declaration.
Do what it may, the Democratic
party must perforce show whether it
thinks itself fit to be trusted, and call
upon the voters to say whether they
think it fit to be trusted. If it hunts
political tricksters who have nev@
been identified with its history, it
will show that it IS ashamed of its
own history and leaders. Confessing
that these entitle it to no confidence,
it will, nevertheless, ask the voters
to say that they give it all confidence.
By so doing, it will compel men to
consider what the history and who
the leaders have been of whom the
party is ashamed. Or if, on the other
hand, it names men who have been
identified with its past, that history
inevitably comes up for review.
The Republican party has no such
difficulty. 1t has history, but is
not ashamed of it, and would be only
too glad to have the elections decided
by the public judgment as to the
work done by the party during the
past twenty-five years. The Repub-
licans also will meet in conventions,
but there will be no effort anywhere
to disown the past record of the party,
to put on DISCUSSES, or to promise
reversal of its policy. 1t does not
need to pretend that all its leaders
have been always wise, or all its Off
Gals free from blame; taken a as whole,
its past challenges scrutiny. Not be-
ing ashamed, and having nothing to
hide, it can nominate new men, or
men who have been long identified
with its history. as circumstances in
each case may dictate. 1t will not
be foolish enough to pretend that in
every particular every administra.
ton, including that of President
Arthur, has met its highest asDira-
tions, and yet it will have no occasion
or desire TO disavow or disown that
administration as whole, or any
other on the contrary, it can claim
public thanks and honor for the, gen.
eral conduct Of the Government I'M
der the present administration,
There is great difference between
a party that has everything to hide
and one that shrinks from no scrutiny
and fears no issue. The people will
begin to feel that difference when the
conventions of the two parties pass in
review before them. 1t is possible,
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