Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-04
A MATTER OF THIsTLEs.

Whenever there is a radical difference in
the standpoints of two great political par
ties their controversy will always de-
velop the motives that led them to occupy
their respective positions. But whoever
looks dispassionately upon the two great
parties in the United States o.day must
see that the great difference between them
is not SO much of new principle as of mere
policy. We have come, in other words, into
the purely administrative stage. There
are principles of vital Importance yet to be
interviewer into or rejected from the fabric
of our system, and the motives for their
acceptance or rejection are to be developed,
but it so happens, as the world knows,
that neither party has united following
regarding these principles. We refer, of
course, to the differing sentiments relative
to protection and free trade. But as to all
else how stands it? Both parties declare
in favor OF reformation of the civil
service; both pronounce in favor of econ
omy, restoration OF maritime power, jeal.
ousy of foreign enCroachment, equal rights
and privileges to all citizens, etc. They
differ, perhaps, as to financial systems,
but it cannot be said that party has
settled or well defined the financial policy
of the Government. But if we turn frsm
this and other merely administrative ques-
tons, we find the Republican party to be
looking out from standpoint underlaid by
great principles that have been by it estab-
hshed, by its devotion and courage made
part and parcel OF the structure of the
Union. These are, an indissoluble Union,
human freedom, the extension of the suf-
frage franchise and the supremacy Of the
laws. On the other hand, the Democratic
party occupies simply the position of an
assailant. 1t divided on the question of
the indssolubility of the Union it divided
and went TO pieces on the question of hu.
man freedom it broke into fragments on
the Issue Of extending the right of suffrage
to the freedmen. 1t cannot point to its more
recent traditions and appeal in their name
for restoration to power; but its opponent
can recall its traditions and reaffirm their
justice and humanity; it can content to
array it's errors, for it can point to the
record that proves it to have been equal to
their correction. And so it is to come to
pass that the approaching campaign will
open as a struggle by the outs to Dust
the ms; : by one party to prove that the
tree of itsopponent bears only thistles, while
1t diligently strives to conceal the fact that
no fgs bend its owns boughs. Outside of
subordinate polite questions as to banking.
coinage, naval enlargement, internal i'm.
cannot be made basic principles, the cam.
paign promises to be simply one character
lied by assaults upon the one side and ap.
peals to traditions upon the other. In
such struggle it ought not to be difficult
to forecast the result and point out that
the contestant for a place of trust and
ROnNA hASAlA 10 ablC " suO6 a DtlLtT TlLnL
to the seat of authority than the incumbent.
This the Democratic party cannot do, since
neither in It's history, its policy, nor its
leadership, can it establish its claim to be
trusted. Its traditions are behind it, OBJ
secured by the dust and smoke of civil war,
while, as for principles, it has none. Let
it 90 before the country in few months
with whatsoever leader it pleases, except it
cuts its body in twain and takes a position
upon free trade, it can present no right
principle as a rule of action for this peo-
pie, which the Republican party has not
either already established, Endorsed, or
stands pledged to do battle for. Let us
await the articles of faith, to be born of the
National Convention, and see how sound
this judgment is.