The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-05-01
Abandon Sectfonalrsm.


Those who are in the habit of think
ing for themselves will consider it
neither edifying nor assuring to look at
the prevailing phases of the canvass for
Presidential candidates for next Novem-
ber. 1t is a matter in which high quail.
fications are but little Sought, while adj
vantages in candidates seem to be the
ruling consideration. 1t is no longer
who is the best fitted and most worthy
statesman, but whose nomination will
give us the best chance to win. just
about the last thing one hears of is any
fair consideration of the qualities of
tried and proved ability and probity in
craftsmanship. If it were horse-race
the tendency would he no greater so far
as looking to availability is concerned,
than it is now in this question of an
election for President of the United
States. And it is none the less deplora-
BILE that this state of things is not con-
fined to the Democratic party or to tie
Republican party, but it is found alike
in both parties. How certain candi-
dates will run in certain localities, or
which candidate can furnish most
money or command the largest fund
for the campaign. is held as q strong
consideration in his favor. This style
of canvass is placing the country on a
low plane, and the mere act of bringing
forward such men for such an Office is
an affront to the intelligence and dig
nifty of the people which should be
strongly repelled.
The only remedy for this state OF
things is with the people. If they are
willing to tolerate it, then there are
none but themselves to blame. There
assnredly is great need for reform, and
| the kind of reform needed is that which
will turn the bad out and put the better
in. The demand for reform is witness
to the fact that the bad are now in. It
is entirely through the corrupt influ-
ences of the Republican party that this
state of things now exists. 1t may be
argued that the leaders of the Demo-
cratic party consider it the best policy
to Eight the devil with fire. but there
is trite saying that "honesty is the
best policy"
The Democratic party alone can ac-
complish this reform, for it alone is free
to do it. For nearly half century it
governed the Republic, and in all those
years there is nothing in its history OF
which to be ashamed. Its errors were
venial; its virtues the virtues of the
people it represented. The Democratic
party must come back to the broad
principles which actuated it in former
years if it hopes to claim the respect,
esteem and confidence of the people,
that such a great party should have.
"a government of the people, for the
people and by the people," is what il
demanded and is what should prevail.
To this end the Democratic party
should know no North, no South. nc
East, nor West, but place this entire
Union upon one common level. II
can not afford to be sectional. 1t car
not afford to ostracise one section of the
country for fear of offending another
section by showing that consideration
to which it is Justly entitled. The
blessings of the Government, like th.
; dews of Heaven, should descend alik'
, upon all the people governed. Tn
, party which falls short of this fails il
the performance of its duty and is un
5 worthy to be sustained by the people.
/ In this wild hunt for Presidential
a candidates, either for the first or sec
: ond place, the South is conspicuousl
ignored when it comes to naming men
Z as much so as the fitness and statesman
: ship is disregarded. That this shoul
be the case so far as the Republican
q are concerned, is matter of no aston
+ ishment. But the South had cause t
a expect different state of things froI
q the National Democratic party. Th
o war has been over for nearly twent
r years, and though the life-blood of tn
, National Democratic party flows in th
\ South, it meets with no recognition i
g National conventions. If the South ca
not afford superior man to other sec
: tons, then let it stand on merit. Th
! people are growing restive under thi
n ostracism, and the demand for recogn
= ton is increasing. They are tired wit
: being made cats paws, and who ca
q find it in their heart TO blame themp-
Cotunbus (Ga.) Sun