The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-04
THE NATIONS. CHOICE.

A Strong Statement of the Issues Involved
in To-Day's Contest.
New YORK, Nov. 3-The Tribune contains the
following editorial:
'"This is an election Of no ordinary import
ance Behind us are twenty-four years of Re
publicansm, the grandest period in the history
of our country. Before US is either a period of
reaction, a new and prolonged period of pro
gress directed by Republican ideas. If the Ma
ton decides for Cleveland and Demoera tic reae-
ton, years will be spent in undoing much that
has been done. Southern men and Southern ideas
will take control of the government. Diversified
industry will no longer be favored the elevation
of labor will no longer be the controlling object
in shaping tariffs, the national banking system
will soon give place to State banks, the colored
people at the South will be deprived by legal de-
vices, as they are now by violence, of their pro
portionate share in the government, education
will be turned over to the exclusive care of the
States, and honors to those who suppressed re-
bsllion will cease. In short in all dire ctions the
influence of the United States government will
be exeFted to honor the men who sought to de-
stroy that government, and to advance their
ideas.
ION the other hand, a decisive Republican vic
tory would have far reaching results. 1t would
complete the separation, which has already be-
gun, between the Democratic party and the new
South, and between the Democratic party and
the intelligent working people of the North. 1t
may be presumed that the administration of Mr.
Blaine Will Drlng new questions to the 'front.'
questions upon which there will not be sec
tional division Relations with other American
countries, commercial relations with Cuba Mex
ico Central and South America, and the protec-
ton of American citizens and American com
merce in Europe, will command public attention
A large proportion of those who now oppose his
election will be found enthusiastically support
ing his administration, because of its wisdom
and its ability in dealing with new questions
Democrats will see that solid South is no longer
possible, and that no party can afford to make
war upon the American system of protection for
home industry. Thus parties will inevitably ar
range themselves on new lines and the old issues
upon which the Democracy has so long dis
turbed the country will pass away forever
Thus we are at the parting of the ways. One
path leads backward over the ground already
Redeemed by the blood of many battles The
other leads onward and upward, to a greater
national prosperity, higher and more vigorous
national life, a more hearty and genuine unity,
a more complete CELEBRATION of the scars left by
the civil war, than has yet been attained The
party that canthus put an end to the sectional
division between North and South by enlisting
part of the South in the support of a broad
and progressive national policy has before it
many years of power and of public confidence if
1t uses its opportunities wisely and justly.
"At this parting of the ways the Nation seemed
to hesitate a month ago. 1t hesitates no longer
The vote in Ohie, the magnificent uprising of
business men and conservative Interests here
the splendid awakening or patriotic zeal in In
mana and the whole Northwest, and the growing
determination of workingnen in Eastern States
to defend the tariff which defends their labor
nave given assurance that the people will decide
TOT Republican progress and against Democratic
reaction II so, 1t is probable that we have seen
the last of two things that have vexed the
country long-a solid South and free trade acita-
ton" "ei'"