The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-15
THE CRY FOR REFORM,

party's orators, and 1--WE will have reform" is
the slogan with which the party goes into the
fight. No bill of particulars is presented, and
no abuses are pointed out The party has
simply shut its eyes and joined in the refrain
reform" But because the Democratic party
has shut its eyes is no reason why all the
people should do the same. In fact, the eyes
of the people are very wide open, and there is
a general desire to know and to understand
all the points in the campaign.
The Democratic party demands reform, and
the people naturally want to know what that
party proposes to reform. What has the Re
publican party done that must be undone or
reformedg
The first thing the Republican party did
was to wipe out Democratic rebellion and
restore the Union. Does the Democratic
party want to reform" that9
The Republican party gave freedom to all
the slaves held in bondage by Democrats.
Does the Democratic party want reform badly
enough to put them back into involuntary
servitude?
The Republican party gave the right of
franchise to the newly emancipated slaves
Does the party of reform want to deprive
the colored race of that right
The Republican party took charge of public
affairs when, under Democratic management
the government was obliged to pay II per
cent interest while to-day it can borrow
thousand millions at 8 per cent. Is there any
thing here that requires reform at the
hands of the Democratic partyg
The Republican party came into power
when the value of good old Democratic
''money" was worth all the way from par to
zero, and was most valuable in the hands of
those who did not know how worthless it was.
Does the Democratic party wish to reform"
Republican banking methods and go back to
the old wayY
The Republican party has made gold, sill
yer and paper of equal value from one end OF
CuO COuubIy " LILO ObA1SL. COOo UAAOs DSAAO
cratic party call for reform" and desire to 60
back to the good old Democratic wildcat
systemY
The Republican party, by wise application
of the tariff, rendered it possible to pay hun
dreds Of millions in the shape of pensions to
the soldiers of the Union and their widows
and orphans Would the Democratic party
reform" this2
The Republican party has made it point
to protect American laboring men against all
the outside world Win the Democratic par
ty reform this idea, if it should get a
chanceY
The Republican party has fostered and de-
veloped all the industrial interests of the
every manufactured article in the country sell
cheaper than ever before Does the Dem
ocratic party think "reform" is needed here9
The Republican party has paid a thousand
millions of Democratic debt, and is still dis
posing Of that legacy Of Democratic treason
and rebellion at the rate of one hundred mill
ions year. Does the party of reform" de-
sire dscontinuance2
The Republican party has steadfastly re-
fused to recognize the claims of any but Union
soldiers, and is pledged never to consent to the
payment of one cent to any who fought to
destroy the Union. Will the Democratic par
ty hasten to reform" this policy
The Republican party has ever taught that
treason is odious, and that love Of country is
the supreme virtue of American citizenship.
Will the Democratic party reverse the order
here, and introduce t'reformp
We have enumerated an even dozen
points in American political history on the
establishment of which the Republican party
has insisted, and has succeeded, despite the
most desperate, inscriptions and criminal
opposition of the Democratic party. And now
the democratic party shuts its eyes and bawls
ltStily for reform Will it dare to confess
desire and intention to reform all or any
Of these distinctively Republican achieve
mentsa They cover the entire ground of Re
publican administration, and the Republican
party challenges the criticism Of the world on
them. If the Democratic party dare not lay
hands on either of them, nor explicitly con-
denim even one of them, then is the Demo
cratic campaign cry the plea Of demagogue,
the-wail Of defeated and chagrined hypocrisy.
If reform is 50 badly needed, let the items
be pointed out and the fight made in open
field. The Republican party invites it.
In the Cincinnati convention Of 1880 it was