The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-08-29

IN. o. CITY Itsm.l

IN. o. City Itsm.l
While it is conceded that two or
more parties are necessary and inev-
liable under q Republican form of
government, /. is not always easy for
the apostles of either the one or the
other to give . raisom d etve. The
nominal basis Of . political subdi-
vision is some vital principle which
all the adherents wish to zee estab-
ished aud perpetuated. The real
basis, as everybody knows, is some
thing quite different, though this
vital and cohesive principle is never
put down in the party platforms. 1t
Is not necessary. Every successful
party has parceled out the spoils of
Office among the workers and voters
in obedience to an uuwritten law
which all politicians implicitly believe
in and faithfully obey. While the
cohesive power Of public patronage
is largely depended upon by all par
ties, yet it becomes necessary when
the party on the outside wishes to
effect one of those peaceful revolu-
lions which is provided for in the
Federal aud all the State constitu
tons to give . decent reason for
ousting the party in position. and
here is where the chief difficulty lies.
When the Republicans seized the
power in 1860. it was upon square
aud well defined issue between the
two great sections of the country.
The leaders of the Lincoln campaign
had something more than an I'M
meaning election cry to rally the
masses. The opposition. powerful
and decided at 6rst, gradually dwin-
died away till there is not, probably,
more than half dozen men Of note
in the entire country who would re-
store the status quo ante bellum II they
could. The issues OF slavery va
freedom; the equal civil and political
rights of the negroes, and the alb
straction of States rights have virtu-
ally been removed from politics be-
cause Of want Of champions OF the
one side or the other. The old Wing
tenets of protection, internal inn
provement, a banking system con-
trolled by Federal laws. which the
Republicans wisely took care to
adopt, have become 90 deep rooted
in the Nstional system that only the
widest Missionaries expect they will
ever be disturbed. The men Ut all
parties and creeds having, therefore,
acquiesced in the establishment Of
every great principle for which the
Republicans str0ve and the cham
pionship of which gave them the
government for quarter OF centu-
ry, leaves that party virtually ont OF
active employment, and deprives
them Of any proper excuse for set
ting aside the present administration
until some great blunder shall occur.
snch as the repeal or the formidable
threatening to repeal or Dnllify any
of the great Wing issues which were
perfected by the Republicans, or in
terfere with that plan of freedom
which drew upon them IN derieion
from their enemies the name of Rad
icals. The Democrats ars too fond
Of power aud patronage to run any
risk, and 90 will eail the ship which
they have partially captured by the
old charts laid down by the Re-
publicans.
The adherents of Republication
lind themselves in the position of the
Macedonian who countermarched his
army because be had nothing more
for them to do. He knew of no ma
tions worth conqueriug which had
not already submitted. But a. there
are . great many active, practical,
brainy men among them, they are
likely to be heard Of in one way or
another to the discomfort of the sue
csssful officials who have just cap
tured the political power without
having yet given any reasons Of pub
lie policy why there should have
been q change. The Republican
leaders will have no difficulty 10
forming out Of the discontinued
masses Of the Democratic ranks, to
be added 10 choice selections from
their own, the material for . new
party, which. ss mere ''outs" attack
ing the sins" with no great public
issues at stake. will prove in time
invincibIe. In this array Of parties,
there would be no division on the
color line. as It is conceded by the
white voters of the country that the
negro has already sufficient rights,
and must succeed or fail according
to the use he makes Of his artificial
advantages. He will, therefore. drop
out of politics. and no more prove .
bono of contention betwesn bis white
fellow-citisens. Probably. for many
Z