The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-04-19
REPUBLICAN AIMS.
The Policy of the Dominant Party on Great
Public Questions.

From tie Thilddelphia american.
1t is evident that the Republican party
is still the only one capable of a vigorous
and satisfactory initiative. To it the
country must look for successful hand
ling of the public questions that appear
upon the bosom of the times. A secon-
Diary part still contents the Democratic
leaders; they are ready, as heretofore, to
oppose, but not to undertake their policy
continues evasive, their purposes intirm.
The Republican party's principle of
national unity carries it to that of "a.
tioEal Independence. 1t is for tariff
that shall be distinctly protective. 1t toll
crates no evasion on this question, and it
will consider no compromise. 1t means
that American interests shall be devel-
| oped; that American workmen shall be
| introduced to cry variety and form Of
remuneratlve industry; that what can be
produced at home shall be: that our own
hands shall make every sort and descrip-
| ton of article which our civilization calls
for, that our independence shall be COM
plete and real not imperfect and decep-
tive. We owe to our own people, first
the advantages Of the protective system;
we shall have bounty for the world after
our duty at home has been fully dis
charged, and not till then.
After the tariff, it may be fairly said
that the treatment of questions Of ad-
as in the other case, Republican policy
is national. 1t means, first the payment
of the debt and the maintenance of 4
revenue system which will insure the
continuance of payment. 1t means the
promotion of education by policy of
aid which shall be liberal and etiicacious
1t means that free government is depend
ent upon the peoples intelligence. Such
a policy is both rational and national
That the nation should not protect the
| very fountain of its existence is irrational
and absurd. And still further Republi
can financial policy means, as we believe
that the revenue strength Of the nation
| should be saved, not wasted; that it's
tax paying ability should be wisely util-
lied, not foolishly misapplied; and that
when the Union of the States has in its
power to aid the States separately, this
beneticent result should not fail because
of feeble and timid counsel, or stale and
inapplicabIe political notions.
That the Republican doctrine and
policy should be applied with statesman
like breadth and courage to our relations
with the nations that ad Join us on the
continent is not less certain, even if it be
as yet less manifest The system which
shall establish the most friendly and
! intimate commercial relations, which
| shall promote the common interests by
a common method of protection, is one
which is at once harmonious with the
general work of the Republican party
and proportional to its energy and cour-
age. The plan by which we reach our
neighboring countries through sO-sallsd
treaties of reciprocity is a marrow enc,
beset with dangers and complications;
but the plan of zollrerein, extending
our free markets, enlarging our command
of new materials, certifying our prOtec-
tive system, is broad and simple.
To one more object does the Republi
can party necessarily address itself
that of administrative reform. To pur-
sue this it is bound by general duty and
special promise. 1t is committed against
the abuses Of the ''speils system" and in
favor of making the public places availa-
BILE for the best service of the public. 1t
has sisnitied, again and again, its desire
to make the faithful clerk secure in his
tenure against the political bosses To
the Republican party the country looks.
aud must look, for practical reform in
the Civil Service. There can he no such
reform maintained with the Democratic
party in power; Mr.. Pendeton is our
witness as to this.