Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-07-21
REECHER ON POLITICS.

While in Chicago the sterling think
er, Henry Ward Beecher, expressed the
following sensible views:
81 see no reason why the Republican
party should not 60 into power again.
it is a prOtectiOnist party, and it will
fight for protection, and although / am
an anti-prOtectiOnist, / will vote for it.
Icannot subscribe to one principle of
the party, but believe that the adOp-
ton of the other principle is wholesome
for the country. The leaders of the Op-
posing party are incOherent in their ex-
pressiOns, and have no settled principles,
except those general principles which
we all cheerfully admit. Their special
principles are either Insignificant or i'm
practicable. The signs Gre that in New
York and Pennsylvania the Republican
leaders will lay aside their Guarrels, in
which event the party will sweep the
country" rnaf
It is impossible to avoid the cOnclu-
sion that the logic of events enforce.
upon the mind of the honest observer
be he Democrat or Republican, prOtec-
ZIONIST or free trader, that as the two
great political parties now appear be-
fore the country, men who. believe in
the survival of the flttest, must cooper
ate with the great liberty loving party
of human progress. Many Democrats
will cordially embrace the words of
Beecher as their own sentiments at the
present time. There are faults, wrongs,
cOrruptions, with all political Organi-
cations who obtain power, but the Re-
publican party steadily addresses itself
to the work of selfcleansing; condemning
Ostracising, and denounclng all who be-
tray trust, act unworthily, or fail to
show forth capability, integrity, and
efficiency. This is universally true that
the Republican party are opposed to and
seek the overthrow and destruction of
all rings, mOnopOlies and wrongs, and
has succeeded in making the organiza-
ton purer than that of any other politi-
cal party with similar responsibilities,
temptations and power. This is true be-
cause the party was founded upon free
dom, right, and progress, and organized
to oppose slavery, caste, ignorance and
wrong. 1t has not outlived its original
mission, and to-day it is far in advance
upon every question of national honor,
good, and development. Its convictions,
principles and policies are clearly de-
fined, well understood, and afford
strength and comfort to all who love
country, home, business and progress.
This is not SO with the Democratic party;
its great study is how to avoid the ex-
preston of any great principle, or the
vindication of right, irrespective of con-
sequences. 1t seeks to find fault, abuse,
and play tricks. 1t does not advance,
assume an honest position, and fight
hard for the supremacy of correct prin-
ciples. 1t does not meet the wants of
the times, the demands of the occasion.
1t is meaningless, irrelevant, incohsrent
and cOwardly. 1t Will love anything,
pardon any wrong, commit any dis
honorable act for power, position, and
authority. The people would rejoice if
the party would take an advanced
position of true worth and progress, and
champion the rights of the people, but
as often as its friends look to it for re-
lief, so often are they disappointed, be-
cause it is devoid Of honor, and man.
aged by demagogues and charlatans,
who know not the wants of the people,
the duties of the hour. What can these
disappointed, honest people do, who love
the greatest possible good to the country
but vote for and work for the Republic
can party-a party that means business
in everything pertaining to purity and
progress?