The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-22

dates, as a Republican I can but recognize the
right of the friends Of Messrs. Blaine and Logan
to use all honorable efforts for their nomination
They have rendered service to the patry, and
through the party to the country, as distin-
guished as any men of theirtime.
But opposition to the independent movement
and my devotion to the Republican party and
its candidates rest upon more substantial
grounds.
The Independents are ciyil-service reformers.
So am l. Is it possible for anybody to forget that
civilservice reform. asa practiealmeasure, began
to be enforced under the administration Of Presi-
dent Hayes, was continued under Garfelds, and
under Arthurhs has been carried to adegree Of
perfection which its most ardent advocates
scarcely dreamed it could attain IN this genera
toni Moreover, the spoils system in its most
edious phases is the loathSomef legacy of the
Democratic party; and it seems to me that one
must be obtuse in all his faculties who fails to
perceive that the motive which now excites the
Democracy almost to frenzy is the desire to
obtain control once more of the federal patron
age.
The independents are free traders. So am l.
But a Democratic House of Representatives has
not furnished a very brilliant Illustration of the
disposition of the party to make a judicious
modification of the present tariff, and hence,
though l think the position of the Republican
party on that subject as unwise as it is unscien-
tific. do not propose TO jump out Of the frying
pan into the fire.
The independents are opposed to legislation
which discriminates against Asiatic and in favor
of European immigration So am l. But under
which party isthe grand principle of the brother
hood of men most likely to be appliedt Under
that which sought to fiyet chains irrevocably
upon the limbs Of the black man, which ex-
hausted every device to throw open the Terri
tories of the Union to slavery, and which to-day
permits without rebuke its members to hunt
negroes with bloodhounds and to shoot white
men who dare to espOuse their cause, or under
that which broke the shackles of seryitude,
undid the heavy burdens and proclaimed liberty
to all men of every race and condition.
But the most potent reason of all with me is
the traditional one. / have carefully observed
the attitude and movements of the Democratic
party for twenty years. In my Judgment, it has
learned nothing and forgotten nothing. So far
as l can perceive, it is not only swayed by the
same principles, but, to a large extent, guided by
the same men. Grover Cleveland may be a very
pure man personally. But he is the organ of the
Democratic party, and, if elected, will have to
execute the will of the party, just as Mr.. Blaine
isthe ofganofthe Republican party, and. ifehosen,
must carry out the purposes of those who have
placed himi IN power. Above all, though this deela-
ration will be hailed with theory of the Hbloody
shirt / cannot forget, / do not wish to forget,
that the Democratic party which now seeks the
suffrages OF the peopletiE the same party which,
m its struggle to perpetuate slavery, not only
plunged the Nation into civil strife, but by the
hindrances which it inteTpoSed to the vigorous
prosecution of the war prolonged it Billions of
the public debt and the headStones which mark
the resting places of hundreds of thousands of
our bravest sons are a perpetual witness OF the
reereancy and shame of the Democratic party,
The Republican party is that under whose
standard the Nation was saved. It is the party
that has steadfastly demanded justice and edu-
cation for the freedmen. 1t is the party which
conquered its animosities, and not only forgave
but rehabilitated rebels and welcomed them
again to q full share IN the cOunsels Of the gov
eminent they sought to destroy. 1t is the party
under whose administration business has been
revived and the pledges of the government have