Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-05-31
National Issues.

It is growing sentiment in Demo-
cratic minds that the next Presidential
election can be fought out on the mere
question of change in partisan control
of the government. They affect to be-
lieye that all the issues ct the past have
been settled. and that no new question
has arisen to divide puolic sentiment
Tins the New York World SAYS that
all the issues which have enabled the
Republican party TO retain power for
the last twentv-three years are practi-
cally settled. This foolish idea grows
out of the fact that the Democracy con-
stitutss a mere negative party. As an
organization that party has no national
ideas of its own-no printiples upon
which it can claim the support of the
country. For nearly quarter of CEN
tury it has advanced nothing new. On
the contrary it has been found in Oppo-
sition to every wise measure intended
to benefit and tranquiliZs the country.
The history it has made since 1860 is an
unenviable one, and yet its leaders are
foolhafdy enough to pretend that the
people are actually longing to entrust
the government and all the interests of
the Nation to its hands.
As AN evidence of lack of issues, the
World says that the war is over; slavery
is abolished; reconstruction is remin
iscencs; the greenback is as good as
gold and we have Stronger, better,
and a more powerful Union than ever
before. Very true, but The county has
only the Republican party to thank that
these things are so. But however great
and prosperous the Nation has become
under Republican craftsmanship, there
are still issues remaining unsettled to
which the governing party IS affirma
lively committed. Chief among these is
the question of protection to American
industry. Willie there is a growing dis
position in the Democratic ranks to is-
more this grave question In the next
election, yet all thei. traditions and de-
clarations commit them, as party. to q
lew-wages tariff, or to unadulCsrated
free trade. This question must be
squarely presented in 1884 and pressed
vigorously upon the Democracy. In its
platform OF 1880 the Republican party
committed itself fairly to the cause of
popular education. Whether or not the
general government shall aid in the
work of educating the masses is an un-
settle question between the parties, ,and.
,ue-efore, it will constitute an issue in
the next canvass. Another significant
issue which divides the two parties is
also found in the Republican platform
of 1880. 1t reads as follows:
"The Constitution wisely forbids Congress
to make any law respecting Tue establishment
Cf relig on, but it IS idle to hope that the Ma
tion can be protected against the Influence of
secret sectsrianism while each State is expos
ed 10 its domination. We, therefore, recon-
mend that the Constitution pe so amended as
10 lay he sane prohib lion upon the Legisla>
ture Of each State, and to forbid the appro-
priation Of public funds 10 The support of sec>
tartan schools"
Here, at least are three issues of vital
interest 10 the entire country. They
concern the present and future, and
spOn the method of their settlement de-
pends the peace, happiness, and prosper
ity of the whole people. There are yet
other questions which affect our finan-
cial, moral, and political condition to
which the next Republican National
Convention will make reference, but
eveniif there were no vital issues pending
the people of this country will never
trust the Democracy while it remains
unpurged of its wickedness.-Cleveland
Leader.