Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-02-28
The Real Issues.

A platform OF one sentence IS proposed
by some Republican at Washington
Fair play for American voters, and a
fair chance for" American laborers." In
the opinion of this Republican, nobody
needs to be assured what the Republican
party is going to do about slavery or war,
reconstruction or resumption, the public
debt, the currency, or the reform of Civil
Service. A short platform which people
will read, embodying only the purpose of
the party on the two great questions that
are vital, is all that is needed.
There is great deal of sense in this
suggestion in two respects. The platform
ought to be terse and plain and very brief,
SC that it will stick in the mind of every
voter. And it ought to treat as settled
and out of the way those questions that
have been settled. As to all the past. it
is enough to say that "the history of the
Nation for twenty-four years bears wit
ness to the wisdom and the patriotism of
the Republican party" 1t has no occa-
sion to explain anything, to defend any
thing, or to reaffirm anything that it has
done. The magnificent development Of
the Nation, as we all see it to-day, and
the record of the most glorious years of
its past history, make all discussion about
accomplished facts waste of time.
Protection of American industry and
protection of American voters-these are
indeed the vital matters. But there can
be no question either about the position
of the Republican party on these ques-
tions. Its IT cord speaks as loudly on
these as on other topics. In current
cartoon, not long ago, the artist sacrificed
his own reputation for Saggcity to his de-
sire to seem impartial, by representing
both parties as afraid of the tariff queS-
tion and in doubt what to do about it. He
who has read the history of the past
twentythree years to any purpose knows
better. There has at no time been any
doubt that the Republican party intend
ed, to the full extent of its power, to pro
tect home industry by tariff. Nor has
there been any room to doubt that the
party desired to secure for every qualified
citizen the right to cast a free ballot and
to have it honestly counted. Past histo :
~ Can teach nothing, if it does not make
clear the purpose of the Republican party
on these matters.
1t would not be absurd, however, to de-
clare the purpose of the party upon any
of the vital questions upon which parties
are really divided. 1t would not be a
waste of time to declare that American
voters and American labor ought to be
protected. For precisely the same rea
sons, it would not be out of place to de
clare that the Republican party means to
maintain the public faith and to keep for
the country sound and honest currency.
Not day passes that does rot witness d
sharp division of parties at Washington
on these questions. Nor can they be held
settled so long as Democratic party, in
fected with a powerful leaning toward
reputation and debaSed currency has a
chance of success. Neither would it be
out of place for the Republican party to
express, in the sharpest form, its antago
n.sm to the Democratic doctrine that
public offices are spoils that belong to the
victor. The Hoadly theory, so boldly
avowed in Ohio before and after the
slaughter of Senator Pendleton, may well
be met by declaration that reform of
the Civil Service must be upheld and
perfected.
The real questions that divide voters
and parties-the questions that the people
have got to answer by their votes, wheth-
er they will or no-may as well he terse-
ly and plainly stated. 1t is no time for
wordy evasiuns, or for diplomatic circum-
locution. But it is no time to ignore the
fact that vote in November, whether so
intended or not, in the nature of things
must decide for four years the questions
of public faith, honest money, a non-par-
tisan service, protection for voters If it
is wise not to wander off upon side is
sues, it is equally wise not to ignore
those which the country is compelled to
decide.-N y. Tribune.