The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-04-23
Why a Man should Be Republican.

publican party claim IOr Supports. IhSt
services, no matter how glorious, are
mot sufficient reason for unfaltering al
legianoe to the nominees and principles
of the party which has performed those
services. Previous good conduct is in
deed the strongest foundation upon
(which to build credit and confidence,
but it is not everything required. The
merchant who asks for heavy loan. or
the man who desires to have contided
TO him great responsibilities or trusts OF
any kind, must not only be able to point
80 good record in the past, but he
must make it manifest that he can ,tc-
suit himself equally well Of new de-
Snands that may be made upon him.
II, for instance. another war were to
break out, it would not be sufficient that
Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan
lhad won brilliant victories in the past.
NVe would want some assurance that
sSheir powers were equal to the new
emergencies.
Leaving the question OF advanced
~years.out OF the question, IL might be
possible that In the new conflict their
.sympathies might not be in the right
direction, or the art of war might have
onigrowH their methods.
SO it Is rot all-su.licient that the Re-
publican party has fought heroic and
Necessful battles for the right in the
flst, every great issue found it
ia the side approved by the wise judg-
11ent and the conscience of mankind,
Iud that it battled unlinchingly for
k2iat side. Glorious rs were its victories
for National unity, National honor,
ireellom, human rights and good gov
sernm mnt of all kinds, these do not con-
.stitule.any claim whatever for the per-
petual allegiance OF even those who
most warmly upheld it in those great
struggles.
Its past record is chiefly valuable not
AS mortgage on tie country's graft
tSude. but as a demonstration beyond q
doubt that it is the most reliable and fit
engine with which to accomplish any
good work in the future, 1t is because
II shows by host of tests that no mat
Ter how unexpected or grave the issue
presented, the Republican party will in
,fallibly take the course dictated by wis
.-lom and justice, and make that course
prevail against all the evil elements
that can lie arrayed against it.
This is not because OF any greatness
.of leadership. The Republican party
has always been greater than its lead
,ars. 1t was for ed in the first place
for men who cared only for principles,
and nothing for men. or Offices, or party
spoils. Il brought into its ranks and
has held them there ever since all in the
country who preferred principle and
abstract right above everything else.
Likewise, il has driven into the ranks
OF its opponents all those inclined TO
.chicanery, demagogism, and absolute
corruption in political thought and ac-
Gion. II does not initiate against the
truth of this statement that long posses
sion of power has brought many un-
worthy men into the party who have
100 frequently scandalized it by their
rrasealities. This must be expected
from any human organization. But
what makes the Republ can party pre-
eminent above all Others in the history
of the country, is its power Of purifying
itself. Unlike any other that the Ma
lion has ever known, the Republican
party has never had man or an or
gnnization of men in il that IL feared 10
bring TO trial and condemn for wrong
doing. 1t has never hesitated, even
when loss of power was certain, to ex-
pose and punish unworthy men, no mat
Ter how powerful nor what their serv-
ices to the party had been.
1t has not waited for its opponents to
find out and expose its bad men--it has
70 ;tsa1f frha Tradit Mnbiliar In
,Vestigstion and the Star-route exposure
are simply unprecedented in the annals
of party management either in England
sor in this country.
Would the Democratic party have ex-
posed Dorsey. had he belonged to it,
and brought him 10 the doors of the
penitentiary whence he only escaped by
brihing the jury? Impossible. Did any
other party ever drive such an inquest
as the Credit Mobilier investigation re-
lentlessly through its highest ranks,
with utter disregard as TO whom il
should injure or destroyp Never, since
the beginning Of time. The great mass,
the controlling element Of the Repub-
liean party, cares only TO have justice
and right prevail and is simply relent-
less in demanding that these shall pre-.
vail Whoever thinks and desires other
wise has no place in the party, ant
sooner or later goes into the Democracy
where he belongs
This is why the Republican party hai
the first claim TO the vote Of every maj
who wishes the country well. 1t is hi
duty TO vote for It, because Il Is the onll
reificent political agent for the advance
ment Of his ideas. and because he can rely
upon it, without any profession Of prin
sciples, or protestations Of purity, to do
in whatever emergency may arise
whatever is absolutely the best thing
that can be done, where It's opponentl
are equally sure Of doing the wors
thing. He knows that il will invaria
bly, unmask and bring to punishment
its unworthy members, and oppose
wall of granite against the malign worh
of The wicked and peryerse men who BY
the law Of their perversity anC
wickedness have found their appro
pirate place in the Democratic party
and who stand ready TO espouse AM
selfish or corrupt thing that may me
mace the prosperity and well-being o
the country. Toledo BLade.
The Situation.