The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-10

souled, brass tipped cheek, that is not agree
able to contemplate.
Bat with all the advantage given it by the
Republican nominee being regarded as O
dangerous man, the Democrats found
triumph exceedingly difficult The party
that claimed to have put down rebellion, to
have restored che Union, to have freed and
enfrsncbised the slaves, maintained q hold
upon the popular heart that no abuse of
power seemed possible to chill II allowed
the American carrying trade to decay, it al
lowed American citizens, against whom no
crime was charged, to languish in foreign
prisons, the navy to rot, polygamy to
flourish, millions upon millions to be stolen
from the people, vet ell was condoned. Bat
the secret of Republican success in retslu-
ing power long after exposure had followed
abuse, is not all couched ia the grandeur of
its achievements, which embraces victory in
war and period of unexampled prosperity.
There existed not only dread and distrust,
but deep-seated aversion to the Democratic
party. 1t bore the odium of having
opposed Lincoln, Of having been friendly
to the South, OF having once been
in political harmony with JEFF Davis.
Republican orators and the Republican press
openly taught the atrocious falsehood that
Democrats were traitors during the war;
The wounds Of Democratic soldiers received
in defense of the flag were not accepted as
proof of loyalty. The service Of no Demo-
crat. whether the leader Of q column or o
private soldier. was q shield against that
word 'Copperhead'-o terrible significance
in politics, though hurled by convicted
thief. The history OF the Rebellion, the
story Of AndersonVille and Libby Prisons,
and the CHASTITY deed at Ford's Theater in
Washington, that cast the country into
gloom for Americas first martyr President,
seem to have been accepted as evidence that
no excess to which the Republican party
could fall would justify giving the Govern
ment over to the control OF the Dem
ocrnts. Never before within the history
OF the Republic, and never again
it is hoped, will the condition of the public
mind be such as to allow the survival of a
party after having proved so utterly un-
worthy. But to recount its ~ickedness aud
fruitlessness is merely to tell in another
form how slow the American people were
to accept Democratic professions as truth
| full or as sincere.
To show the world that q great party has
been atrociously slsndered, aud that tue
country will be safe in any hands to which
| 1t is intrusted, is now an imperative duty
deyolying on Democrats. They achieved
success because of Republican crime; noF
let them prove by their acts that they de-
served it, and that the change conducss to
| the public good. Ii Is reasonable to suppose
that party held together for quarter OF q
century wholly by principle would carefully
guard every trust. Now let the fact that
| "it tcds true" become 8 matter Of record in
such characters as will put mistake beyond
| the limits of the possible. Not the indie
pendents nor any OF the elements that con.
tributed to the result, but Democrats them
selves are responsible for the future OF the
party. By fidelity to the work given ii to
do the Democratic party may show that the
hateful charges, long preferred against it,
were, in the immortal language of James G.
Blaine, false in every statement and impli-
cation" and hIial affection for the memory
of the fathers of the Republic urges the faith.
! full performance of this duty. The golden
opportunity for Democrats to vindieste the
democratic party is now at hand.