The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-03-06
THE OLD AND THE NEW.


is the close of the career of a party that
leaves record which il can point to
with pride, and the ushering in of a new
faction with no record to stand on, few
men Of extensive experience in state
matters, and without any plan Of proce-
dure as yet devised. The old is known,
the new is not. In retiring from power
the Republican party does not assume
the role of the self-righteous, nor does 1t
Law claim TO character untarnished, or
TO q record free from error, because ito
err is human" and opportunity Is a
standing temptation to human nature IN
its imperfect state. Corruption, or trac-
es of it, exist wherever human events
are recorded, and the party whose name
now stands IN history connected with
the most critical epoch Of American an
mails, and whose glory will illuminate the
pages of our National records forever, is
perfectly conscious that it never rose
above the normal state Of poor humani-
ty. That the party was menaced at
times by the i'll born Vaccinations Of
foul and base followers, is fact we ac-
knowledge. That weak elements enter
ed INTO its political anatomy and showed
their i'll tendencies from time to time,
despite the deprecations and noble aims
of the better class, is reality that none,
however eccentric and partisan, will en-
deavor to disprove. That the par
tvs misteps are miniature in pro-
portion to the liabilities to error
that have been strewn along its path
throughout the "a years Of Its reign lis an
argument that records lndisputable will
sustain us in advancing. At its very
birth the party had an overwhelming
public sentiment to meet, and was COM
PEELED to advocate its principles in the
face of a gigantic disfavor. One mistep
then would have proven disastrous, but
with wise and humane leaders, and the
power of Right, this period was passed
in safety. The issue upon which its
first President was elected was, whether
or not an institution fastened to the Ma.
tional being like poisonous leech
should continue TO increase in its awful
ness at the expense of the reputation OF
our government, or be confined to pre-
scribed limits, an issue which for bit
terness of inspiration to friend and OPP
ponent alike, has never been equaled in
civil history. 1t had grown deep and
lasting in the hearts of those who prof
tied by it by long standing, and become
more obnoxious to its opposers by the
widening chasm between the sentiment
of civilized minds and that of more
barbarous ages. The liability to err here,
needs no comment. The wisdom of the
leaders again proved equal and the par
ty policy was exhonerated. When this
crisis was past the most delicate work of
it's life was to be met, that of reconstruc-
ton. How well it has been accomplish
ed is known. The opportunities for mis-
takes on the part of honest men was
legion. the chances for the dishonest to
dishonor the party were on every hand.
On the other hand, the Republican
party lays down 1.-The rod Of empire I"
with the satisfaction ola work, well done.
1t claims, and rightfully, TO leave the
best government in the world, on a
sounder financial, commercial and civil
basis than any other in existence. 1t
has relieved our nation ofthat damnable
and ungodly blemish; and leaves the
wound heaied beyond semblance Of
intirmity. Ii raised young nation from
lettering invalidism to u robust and
vigorous being. Through wise, per-
sistent policy, it has made ours the fore
most in the galaxy of nations, respected,
honored, and looked up to by all. Why
then should it feel any regret or re-
morse, whatever?
During this long, eventful period. the
party now in power, have assumed the
position of a severe scrutinizer; crlticiz-
ing every act and enterprise of the one
in vogue, watching with a jealous eye
for opportunity to deprive its contempor-
airy of the power it held; never letting
an opportunity escape 10 malign, and
brand with corruption the ones holding
the sway of government, on the slightest
provocation. They had so long acted
this part that the tendency to discredit-
able criticism became chronic, and their
certainty TO accept any allegation or accu-
sation against the wards Of the nation as
the whole truth, without even a superfici-
al investigation, became proverbial. Ev-
cry such allegation was magnified and its
magnitude increased to prodigous pro-
portions by the constant rotation of an
imagination distorted by constant false
application. Nothing could be seen but
the mote in the eye of their more for
tunate brother, and this gave rise to a
constant cry for reform; they even for
getting that whore sinful man operates,
there his imperfections must apply to |
some extent, though his will be ever 30
good. Nowhere does the passage: "The
spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
apply more practically than in political
circles, and should the Democratic party |
rule this government "a years, even in
80 uneventful period as we are now en-
joying, they will realize the force of this |
assertion; and find that their generous
resolutions and perfectly legitimate de-
examinations to sustain pure admins
tration ofaftairs is but mirage, created
by their own inexperience. Never in
all civil administrations did a political
power close so long continuous reign,
through period so fraught with critical
events, with as few errors and as little
as does the Republican par
ty in handing the civil sceptre of the
United States over to the party just in
augurated.
1t is not the object of this article to
herald the praise Of individuals, but any
reference to the Republican party or its
glorious career almost necessitates q
word of reference to the brilliant minds
and sturdy hearts that have manned the
ship of State throughout this period.
An irredeemable debt Of gratitude is
due from the 81 900, 900 people now en-
joying the blessings of a safe and secure
to the men who have 80
ably filed the executive chair, and the
faithful advisers who were drawn around
the governmental head during each ad-
No more brilliant cabinet
Of statesmen can be pointed out in the
history of any country, either ancient
or modern, and their names will be