The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-31
Will History Repeat ltself2

Will History Repeat ltselfl
The breaking up of the Republican
party, which has been confidently pre-
dicted for at least four years by OBJ
servers not blinded by party feeling, is
now imminent. Indeed, the organiZa-
ton is already in process of dissolution,
and it will require but one defeat to fin
ish the work, and very brief time to
bury the debris.
The managers of the party machine
knew in 1876 that without the offices
the party could not be held together for
another campaign, and that the expos
ure sure TO follow change of admins
tration would pile up a pyramid of in
fanny that would sink the machine out
of sight in the mire of oblivion. 1t was
desperation that invented the fraud OF
1876 and raised the money to bride vot-
ers in 1880. But these eXpedients only
DELAYED the inevitable. A party can
not exist long without principles. The
cohesive power of public plumber IS
great, but it can not perpetuate the rule
of rascality in government of the
people. The Republicans long since
ceased to have any principles, but it
takes time to wear away the prejudices
and habits of the majority of men and
leave them capable of seeing things as
things really are.
Time and the nomination of q noto-
rious political jobber have opened the
eyes of the more intelligent and honest
Republicans. and they now see that the
party does not represent the issues. the
principles or the methods in which they
believe, and however much they may
regret the severing of old ties and asso-
Citations, they feel that the time has come
for abandoning the degenerate organi-
cation and rescuing the Government
from the control of the spokesman.
The Democratic party has been out OF
power 30 long that the vitality of its
principles is clearly demonstrated.
Nothing else could have held the organ
ization together all these years. The
masses of Democrats have marched to
certain defeat year after year, animated
by no hope of reward, no promise OF
spoils. Had Democracy meant moth
ing but control of the offices, the party
would have lost its identity and be.
come merged in some other organiza-
! ton after the defeat of 1860, when
radical disagreement on questions de-
manding immediate decision shattered
its power.
The Republican party in 1860 occll'
pied a position resembling in some re-
spects that in which the Democratic
party stands to-day. 1t was in sym
patty with the popular sentiment of the
day. and attracted the men who found
themselves compelled by their convic-
tions to leave the ranks of the older
parties. The boilers, the new men.
Joined it to administer the punishment
which they thought was deserved by
the men who had been in power fol-
many years. And they did the work
thoroughly.
Everything points TO a repetition in
1884 of the history of 1860, with the
parties reversed But the situations
are parallel only in the particulars not
ed, for it is very improbable that the
Republican party, as it now exists, can
survive the shock of a defeat. 1t viii
be dissolved into its original ele
ments, which will attach themselves tc
either the Democratic party or some
other organization representing the cp-
position on some issue concerning which
public opinion will be divided.
That the hour of final defeat for the
o. O. D. is at hand is evident. 1t il
divided against itself to a greater ey
tent even than was threatened in 1875
before the Hayes poultice was applied
Hayes united the forces then, and KEEP
the Independents in line, but the party
was beaten at the polls by quarter o
a million majority. The Democratic
party has in 1884, as it had in 1876, 1
reform Governor of New York as it;
candidate, and in other points is ever
better equipped for the contest. Here
tofore the weight of press influence ha
been thrown into the Republican sid'
of the scales, the Democrats having
but one paper of any consequence il
New York to aid them, and that ont
sometimes being rather eccentri'
as an ally. Now the Republican
can command the services of onl.
one paper of limited circulation anc
dubious influence. The World has be
come power in New York journalism
and leads the Cleveland forces, and tn
Democratic candidate is warmly zap
ported by the Herald and Times. II
Boston the conditions have simiiarl!
changed, the Democrats being aided il
the battle for reform by all but wv
papers. 1t is the same throughout tn
country. The secular and religion
journals of largest circulation an
greatest influence are fighting on TIL
side of reform and honest administra
ton with the regenerated Democratic
party. The party no longer suffers TO
lack of funds with which to pay the ex
penses of speakers, circulate campaign
documents and employ canvassers
The prospect of success has brought tn
financial support necessary Tor tn
proper conduct of a campaign. Every
thing indicates the triumph of principl
over the corrupt elements of politics.