The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-16
Psrties and Candidates.
New York Herald.l

New York Herald.
The present is said to be crisis fol
the Republican party. After splendic
record, which Justly entitled it to the
confidence of the people so freely given il
allowed itself to be undermined by cor
ruption and has neglected questions ol
great and immediate Importance. 1t has
shown that 1t is impotent as against the
corruptive influences within itself by
nominating Blaine-a man who repre-
sents whatever is bad in the party; and
the result is a revolt of those, by nc
means few in number, who have of late
been wavering in their allegiance while
hoping for better things But the demo
cratic party is in quite as critical a
situation, and the manner III which ii
4-adApsc itself - the coalitions NtSl affSird
good test of its vitality and strength Of
purpose.
1t is not enough for the Democrats to
beat Blaine. They must plan for the
administration of the government
which is to fall into their hands by beat
ing him. No party can continue to
exist upon purely personal issue There
must be principle. behind it, and the
principle must be maintained honestly.
We do not ask that the Democrats
should nominate an angel, but we
do expect that they will put for
ward the best they can supply. 1t is
easy to predicate some of the essential
qualities of such man. He must not
be demagogue, depending upon bluster
and promise impossible of attainment;
he must not swagger among nations with
which we are at peace, with "chip up
on his shoulder" daring them to knock
it off; he must not have prostituted his
position by selling his name and infu-
enee to be used in support of dishonest
or questionable schemes; be must know
that commerce is not to be obtained by
bullying or markets by force of arms,
but by removing restrictions upon trade
he must be in full accord with the re-
form movements of the times in respect
to the revenue, the currency and civil
service, and be able to give a complete
promise of an honest and non-partisan
administration of the government These
are no qualities SO uncommon as to
create surprise, but they are qualities
that the nominee of the Democratic
party ought to have in order 10 win the
support of that unpledged vote which
the choice of Blaine has done so much
to disgust.
With such a man the Democrats
would probably, and almost certainly,
be enabled to win. Never since the
formation of the Republican party has
there been an election which threatens
to mingle party lines to so great an ex-
tent as the coming contest promises to
do. Out of this must result one of two
things-one of the old parties will re-
ceiVe the public confidence and be given
q lease of power, or new patty will be
created from the dissatisfied Republicans
and Democrats. The circumstance that
will decide this question will turn upon
principle. If the Republicans ns-brought
to their senses by crushing defeat-give
evidence of a return of that honesty of
purpose which was once their boast
and the secret of their long hold up
on the people, if their party evinees
q willingness to take up the many |
questions which it has shamefully ne
elected while in power, then there will |
Be no reason to look for'its dissolution. |
But the Democratic party has even a
better opportunity of proving its fitness
to govern, because it can give the proof |
before the election, a privilege that Re- |
pubIicans have forfeited. 1t must show |
that It is progressive and in alignment |
with advanced political opinion. It |
cannot, like the Republicans, live upon !
the past record, because it has none it |
can properly refer to. II ought not to |
rig 3 scoop net, as the Republicans have |
done, with the object of raking in all the
scum of the country in the expectation |
that alI that is good will also be caught.
The Republican platform is exactly !
what platform ought not to be, and |
exactly what the Democrats ought TO |
avoid. Il Is mere rigmarole Of prom
ises patched up for the present occasion |
onlv. and which finds fitting representa- I
lives ii James g. Blaine.and John A. |
Logan.
Tie winning platform should be Of |
very different complexion, and should |
Sc framed to last-framed to serve the /
party that adopts it through many cam
Daigns. The three most important ques-
lions which have been pressing for many /
wears are repeal of war taxation, which 1
means q reduction Of the tariff; com
plefion Of the reform III the civil ser
vice already begun, and settlement Of !
the difficulties which attach to the cur
rsncy. There are many other questions
now u suspense that will be solved By
! proper attention to these three leading
aSues This IS not remarkable deela-
ration 0f principle, but the party that
lakes II Up and honestly pledges itself 70
carry Il. to the end viii deserve the
confidence Of The people and viii have
Is The Democratic party has Is within /
is power fo seize upon this opportunity. +
All of this means that he inning party
will Be party of progress not depend
inR fok its influence upon issues that I
have long since been decided and not
following tie lead of men who persist
"a cIiHeEne - ideas and methods that
have H1d theiF day. There 20 lack g [
can aale6 S. a ri nt s pfoor
FS r1ItT. end Il n OH ke suicide II
cFe<lo1 z choice lA
8 HIiIF m