Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-02-21
PartyCOntrasts.

Sometimes we hear people say, says
the american Register, that there is no
difference in the parties, no dividing
issues, and that it would trouble man
to tell why he was a Republican or
Democrat. This is the talk one hears
upon the streets and in crowds, but it ar
CUES either great ignorance upon the part
of those who make such utterances, or
they have been incorrectly taught
touching these vital questions. 1t does
not take much teaching to point out to
citizen what the difference is, and in
order that the difference may be well
known and fully understood the follow
ing may serve as an illustration:
The Democracy aims to preserve the
constitutional powers of the States as
we'll as of the Federal Government by
a strict construction of their powers.
While the Federal authority was made
supreme within the sphere of its dele
gated powers, the States were left SUI
preme within the sphere of their re-
served powers; each equal and co-ordi-
nate in supremacy, and a mutual check
upon each other against the abuse of
power. But this Republican party
aims to enlarge the powers and sphere of
the Federal authority, absorb the pow
ers of the States, and by Capitalization
to convert the Federal Government in
to consolidated monarchy.
The Democracy is in favor ofeconomy
in the public expenditures, and limiting
the revenues collected to the necessary
public expenses. But the other party
favors extravaganza in the expenses,
and collects hundreds of millions ofdol-
lars more from the people than is
needed for the public expenditures.
The Democracy aims to preserve
equality of rights and privileges, and
equal justice to all men. But this Re-
publican party favors monopOlies, and
moneyed aristocracy, and gives spec
ial privileges to the few at the expense
of the many.
1t is Democracy to encourage the be-
lief that wealth should be the result of
industry and economy. The Republican
party practices policy by which wealth
is acquired by unj just and wicked laws,
making it possible for the rich to be-
come millionaries, while the poor are
depressed more day by day.
1t is Democracy to allow the citizen
to exercise the liberty granted him to
the fullest extent consistent with the
public welfare, while the policy of the
Republican party aims to restrict and
Oppress the exercise of that liberty by
all manner of encroachments and all
sorts of laws not contemplated in the
Constitution of the country.
1t is Democracy to accord the foreign
born citizens all the comforts of peace
full and happy home in this his adopted
country, and allow him to enjoy the
benefits of free government unveXed by
narrow bigotry OF the attempts ofpeo-
pie to set themselves up as his moral
and political teachers. Republicanism
regards him as an alien and a stranger,
and strews his path with difficulties
and hedge his progress with all man
ner of personal and political obstruc-
tiOns.
Democracy teaches and practices
strict economy in public expenditures,
and believes in saving the citizen from
the burdens of profligacy and eXtrava-
gance. 1t expects of every public ser.
want u rigid accountability of public
trusts, and favors certain and speedy
punishment for all those who abuse
public confidence and betray official fa'
vOr.
If the average citizen can see no diff.
ference between these contrasting poll
cies he must be blind to his own inter
ests and a very Indifferent observer OF
the most common events. The differ
ence is very great and the contrast
marked enough to excite the most seri
Gus attention,