Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1884-03-06
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
THURSDAY. MARCH 6, 1884.
COURAGE IN POLITICS.

political organization without c0ur-
age to expose wrong, oppose meanness
and aDtagOnize whatever challenges
human rights and happiness, is un-
worthy of anything save execration.
A great party with numbers, money. and
brains can successfully array itself
against oppression. injustice and cor
ruption where single individual or
many persons would perish without ac-
complishing anything.
The great end of organization is to
render the convictions and principles of
the people, effective ia shape, energy
and success. Men combine in political
parties to the end of efficiency in giving
triumph to their belief.
There is positively no excuse for a
party being cOwardly, afraid to do right
and disposed to curry favor with wrong.
There never were so many Independ-
ents in politics before as now. The peo-
pie have been driven to lack of faith
in the promises and pledges of parties
because these vows have been so repeat.
eddy broken, and the whole influence
and power Of the party given to curse
and Cypress the poor, honest and indus
triOus.
Powerful corporations, soullsss mo-
NOODLES, hard-hearted combinations
and vile rings, have been aided, promot.
ed and increased in power. The people
at heart are for honest government,
good laws and just relations in life.
They know that the only guardian Of
human rights is the great public heart
and voice.
Now is tho time for courage. 1t will
not be denied that the Republican party
has evinced great courage in attacking
slavery, secession, treason, reputation,
polygamy, prejudice and caste.
That the party has not wholly lost its
old time courage is shown by the inves-
tigation Of lawlessness, intimidation
and murder in Virgil MIA and Mississippi.
Honest Democrats see by Democratic
testimony that wrong, outrage and MUIR
der exist in Copiah County Miss, that
disgraces civilization. That the Demo-
cratic party is afraid to denOunce this
Infamous wrong will wsaken 1t with
honest Democrats, and cause the public
to more than ever distrust the organi-
cation that is afraid to condemn the
wrong, to vindicats freedom. to assert the
majesty Of right.
The course of the Democratic party
has been prominently weak, vascilla-
ting, cowardlv course, void of brawRy.
stalwart courage. Recently 1t has had
several opportunities to do, and in every
case it has done badly, as in New York,
Pennsylvania. Michigan. Ohio and
wherever trusted with chance.
There is no daring spirit of right, that
means business in reform with the par.
ty it will not change anymore than the
Ethiopian or Leopard. The only party
they dare trust is the Republican party.
Faith in this party is not implicit b
cause Of the steals, jobs, rings and cor
ruption that have been manipulated by
members Of the party. The people are
afraid Of man who has great wealth
or party that has great power. So
long as q party does good the people has
faith In 1t and no longer. To-day there
are tens Of thousands Of Independent
voters watching carefully the course Of
the Republican party to see If they can
affiliate with il.
So far, for two years the party has
been wise and honest. At present 1t
seems to bs peculiarly blest with con-
sistsnt and correct line Of action.
If 1t continues to show itself the
enemy Of everything that is wrong
and . true friend Of every man, wom-
an and child in America there is no
doubt Its rule will be continued, but
every act must ring with true courage,
every word be manly and brave. 1t
must not hesitate to follow wherever the
people indicate it should 20 for the peo-
pies sense Of right in this
country. Their judgement is better
than that of any one man or set of men.
CleanRess. honesty. juctice, freedom,
helpfuluess to all are among the things
to be prasticed with unswerying fidelity
and tree Yankee courage.